Sweet itch🐴😟😔☹️ · Get Good With Horses Courses

Sweet itch🐴😟😔☹️

Does anyone have this problem?

Storm started 2 years ago aged 5 when we moved to where we are now, which is more boggy wet land with more midges!!

I researched that Sweet itch is a common, chronic allergic reaction in horses caused by sensitivity to saliva from Culicoidesmidge bites, resulting in intense itching (pruritus), hair loss, and scaly skin, primarily along the mane, tail, and belly

. Affecting roughly 5% of horses, this condition peaks from March to November. While no absolute cure exists, management includes using specialized rugs, insect repellents, and keeping horses stabled during dawn/dusk to prevent bites.

Key Symptoms storm now presents with are:

Intense Irritation: Severe itching, leading to restless behavior, agitation, and self-trauma.
Skin Damage: Hair loss, bald patches, thickened/rough skin, and scaly, scruffy skin.
Affected Areas: Primarily his mane base, withers, tail, face, ears😒

I am preparing now as with all the rain, and odd sunny days the midges are out already!!! His withers skin so hard/rough poor little lad!!! I have tried everything!!!! He wont wear a rug, and is out 24/7 so last year I treated him early and he seemed better... his mane has never fully recovered properly but if you do know of any herbal creams please let me know!!! He will wear a fly mask🤩 but he escapes from rugs so I gave up as too dangerous!!

I use avon skin so soft which midges hate and I smother his mane/top of tail in baby oil and teatree/neem oil which is cheaper and works against them but any other ideas welcome! I have also purchased farm cattle "spot on" which i think helped him better last year too!!

I am always keen to learn what other people do, plus I read somewhere that younger horses can fight against it and need to self immune? Not sure if thats true?!!!

Also let me know about any products especially more handmade/herbal as you add "horse" to a label and it trebles in cost lol 🤣

I know we can humanise horse care a lot and I try not to molly coddle him, to allow as natural habitat as possible, but sweet itch is simply horrid for them...

Thanks all🙏🏻🐴🙂

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