Equimins specialises in producing natural horse supplies, products and supplements for the major areas associated with caring for a horse. All products are proudly made in the UK and excellent specification quality products are of paramount importance. Using this blog we want to share some of the knowledge we have gained through nearly 30 years of experience. 
Tips for horses with sweet itch
If your horse has sweet itch, there’s no doubt that you’ll be doing all you can to help keep him comfortable over the spring and summer months. Sweet itch is an unpleasant condition that needs careful management year on year as it cannot be cured. Here, we share our top tips on managing horses with sweet itch this season:
- Midges are most active at dawn and dusk, so consider stabling your horse at these times and, if you can’t, ensure he has adequate shelter.
- Midges like damp, boggy areas, so if you can relocate your horse to a more open, breezy field, you might see a reduction in midges.
- Use fly repellents to help keep midges away. These can be the kind of repellents you apply to the horse’s skin, or can be supplements like garlic that help to repel the flies from within. (See our range of fly repellents here)
- Support the skin. Feeding a supplement like Itchless, which helps to support the skin during challenging times, could really help.
- Consider special sweet itch rugs that provide a fabric barrier between the horse and the midges to prevent the horse being bitten. These should be highly breathable and well fitting to ensure comfort for the horse.
- Start managing sweet itch before it becomes a problem. Getting your management regime right before the horse starts to exhibit symptoms can make a huge difference.
- Be aware of what’s going on. If your horse is itching his skin, look to apply skin soothing products to help cool the area and reduce any soreness. Aloe Vera Gel is a skin lotion that could help. If your horse has rubbed to the point that he’s causing himself to bleed, make sure you treat the issue quickly to prevent infection.
- If your horse has never had sweet itch before and starts exhibiting symptoms, speak to your vet to confirm that that’s the issue. Equally, if you know your horse has sweet itch but his itching is
causing him to harm himself or you’re concerned about a sore he’s created, speak to your vet.
To find out more about our Fly & Midge or First Aid products, see the website.
