When you see a horse scratching, stamping, or rubbing, two things are often considered: mites or sweet itch. Mites are mainly a problem in the winter months (although they can persist) and are mainly found on the legs. But when itching occurs on the mane and tail, especially in spring and summer, most people often think primarily of sweet itch, especially in horses of more robust breeds.

Causes of Itching in Horses

Let's list the possible causes of itching in horses - especially on the tail and mane and in the warmer months - for you.

• Sweet itch
• Insulin resistance / sugars in the diet
• Allergic reaction to insect bites
• Food allergies
• Toxins / Overload of liver or kidneys
• Fungi
• Lice or other parasites
• Hormones / Estrus As you can see, there are many more causes of itching than just sweet itch. So, before you can start treatment, it's useful to consider what might be going on.

What to Do?

Because it's always wise to give your horse a detox twice a year (only for healthy and non-pregnant horses), you can start with that. Spring is a good time for such a detox. If you find a detox too harsh for your horse, opt for a mild detox with nettle extract. This first step in spring is important for horses with sweet itch as well as for horses suffering from allergies or having too many toxins in their bodies. Additionally, you can use a spray with beneficial microorganisms on the open, rubbed areas of the skin. These "happy bacteria" aid in the natural recovery of the skin.

Investigating Causes

The next steps depend on the cause of the itching in your horse. Some of the causes of itching mentioned above can be observed or ruled out by yourself. Lice eggs are found in the mane and fungi like ringworm cause bald spots or bumps all over your horse's body, not just on the mane and tail. Your veterinarian can also help determine if there are parasites or fungi present. If your horse is overweight, then there's definitely a chance that diet plays a role. Sometimes, it's hard to see overweight in your own horse. Ask an experienced horse owner or your veterinarian to take a look, or use a Body Condition Score chart to assess your horse properly. Is your horse overweight? Then adjust the ration to prevent summer itch and insulin resistance.

Sweet Itch

Still thinking about sweet itch? Sweet itch mainly affects cold-blooded and Friesian horses and is caused by midges (small biting insects). There's a lot known about sweet itch, including the various measures that need to be taken in combination.