Managing Itch to Keep Horses Comfortable in Summer

Summers bring balmy weather to the farm and long days out riding. However, these glorious months are also when midges, horseflies, mosquitos, and other biting insects come out in full force. For horses and their humans, this means lots of itching in the future. While for humans it is easy to douse ourselves in bug spray and limit our time outside, our horses do not always have that same luxury. For many horses, summer is full of nasty bites and itchy welts that leave them feeling raw and uncomfortable. Luckily, your horse does not have to suffer through the summer as there are some things every horse owner can do to help manage itching.

Not all itching is the same

Flies can make summers miserable for horses

When you get bit by a mosquito, a small amount of the insect's saliva enters your bloodstream causing a minute allergic reaction that causes itching. While this irritation is uncomfortable some horses suffer a lot more. Sweet itch is a common ailment that causes an extreme reaction to the bites of midges and mosquitos. This extreme discomfort can cause a horse to scratch themselves raw, especially across their withers and dock. This differs slightly from the common itch seen in all horses when they get a bite. While sweet itch tends to be concentrated around the mane and tail, itching can occur across their whole body and especially in armpits and flanks where bugs can be hard to shoo.

Symptoms of itch

Be on the look out for signs of bug bites

Horses that are suffering from itch often show signs of...

• Head shaking

• Tail switching

• Excessive rubbing

• Damaged mane and tail

• Small raised welts

• Hives

• Scratches

• Oozing lumps

Not all itchy spots are apparent, so always check your horse over for signs of bug bites and irritation.

Managing itch in horses

Mild itching can be just a minor annoyance, however, if the itching becomes severe, the horse can break skin and rub lacerations into their body. It's best for horse owners to stay on top of their horse's discomfort and manage itching before it becomes a problem.

Prevent exposure to flies

When it comes to itching, prevention is the best medicine. Horses can be saved from a lot of discomfort when they are kept away from biting flies. Horse owners can keep flies at bay by:

Some products that are commonly used to control flies

• Keeping paddocks clean and eliminating breeding grounds like stagnant water toughs and manure piles

• Liberally applying high-quality fly spray to deter insects from swarming and biting

• Using fly sheets, masks, and boots on cool days to act as a barrier between horse and fly

• Applying bug-repellant creams to sensitive areas like ears, armpits, and flanks to prevent biting

Soothing itch

Even the most diligent pest-control measures cannot save horses from every bite. For some horses, even just a few bites can cause discomfort. Luckily, there are several products on the market that can soothe itch and provide your horse relief from biting flies.

Salves

Many salves that are used to deter biting insects also have soothing properties. They often contain herbs or aloe vera to moisturize, soothe and relieve itch. When applied daily, these can help soothe and prevent bug bites.

Salves are a good way to repel insects and soothe itch

Medicated shampoos

If your horse needs momentary relief, a soothing bath with medicated shampoo, like Vetericyn FoamCare Medicated Shampoo can help. These shampoos have anti-inflammatory properties that can quiet itch and, when used in conjunction with a salve, provide lasting relief.

Omega-3

There are numerous products on the market that can make itchy horses more comfortable

Some horses find relief from itching when supplemented with omega-3 fatty acids. That is because omega 3 can counter inflammation and prevent the allergic reaction that causes itching. While it does not help all horses, adding an omega-3 supplement may help a severely itchy horse.

Medications

When all else fails or if your horse is suffering from sweet itch, it may be time to enlist the help of a vet. For severe itching, antihistamines and steroids can be prescribed to slow inflation and stop the allergic reaction that causes itching. For desperate horse owners that have tried holistic treatments, medication is likely to bring their horses relief.

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Summer is a joyous time on the farm. However, between bugs and heat, it also comes with a few headaches. Now that you know how to help manage itch in your horse, give these 7 tips to keep cool in summer a try.