Itching is of course very annoying. And it is not fun to watch as your horse feels so uncomfortable that he constantly wants to scratch at fences, stall doors, water buckets, or even at you as the owner. Especially when that lush mane or beautiful full tail starts falling out or your horse injures himself to the point of bleeding.

Itch course

There are several causes of itching and rubbing. From sweet itch caused by midges, to too much sugar in the diet and skin conditions. We will go through the causes for you along with tips to reduce the itching. Time for a short 'itch course'!

Sweet itch

Sweet itch occurs when your horse is allergic to the saliva of midges. Often this disease becomes more severe as the horse ages. The midges start biting when the temperature rises above 10°C, from spring to autumn. Only a total approach is effective against sweet itch. Just putting on a rug does not work, unfortunately.

Total approach to sweet itch:

• Ensure a healthy coat by providing enough silicon and other minerals in the diet;
• Put on a rug in time;
• Give your horse a detox in spring, for example with nettle extract;
• Feed an herbal supplement to make your horse's blood unattractive;
• Provide daily free movement;
• Keep your horse at a healthy weight;
• Ensure low sugars in the diet;
• Put your horse in the stable at dusk;
• Treat itching spots immediately, for example with Effective Microorganisms

Often only some of these measures are taken. Many horses still continue to suffer from itching.

Summer itch due to overweight

Overweight can also cause itching. Fatty tissue, for example in a thick mane or at the base of the tail, can cause small inflammatory reactions. This causes itching, and when your horse starts rubbing and damaging the skin, these inflammations will spread further. To prevent itching, it is important to keep your horse at a healthy weight. If you are unsure if your horse is overweight, do the body condition score and have a stable mate or veterinarian take a look just to be sure. We as horse owners are often 'blind' to the overweight of our own horse. Natural anti-inflammatory agents such as cannabinoids or thymoquinone can also help reduce the inflammatory reactions in fat deposits. But the most important thing is to ensure that your horse maintains a healthy weight.

Summer itch due to sugars

Horses that receive a lot of sugar in their diet for a long time can become insulin-resistant. Insulin resistance can also be caused by hormonal changes, such as when the horse gets older or is pregnant. An insulin-resistant horse can often be recognized by the hardened, thick, and wrinkled mane and by fat deposits at the tail and behind the shoulder. These horses are often stiff in movement. If your horse has itching due to sugars, the solution lies in a poorer diet. Provide dry, unpacked hay, limited pasture, no concentrate feed, and only a balancer for vitamins and minerals.

Other bugs?

In addition to midges, other insects such as mites and lice, parasitic worms, and fungi can cause skin problems and itching. If you are unsure why your horse is itching, have your veterinarian take a look. Knowing what is going on can help you treat and support your horse better.

Other causes

In addition to the causes mentioned above, itching can also occur due to, for example, a food allergy (to a certain ingredient in concentrate feed), mild poisonings (certain plants in the pasture), or an overloaded body that retains too many toxins. A mild detox with nettle can be a good idea, in addition to changing the feed and good pasture management.

Treating wounds and chafing from the inside

Horses that rub often get nasty chafing wounds, with many subcutaneous inflammation. If dirt gets in there, it can further inflame and itch. Pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory supplements such as cannabinoids from clove or thymoquinone from black cumin help reduce itching and restore the natural balance.

Treating wounds and chafing from the outside

To treat the chafing spots on your horse, you can disinfect them and apply a mild cream. A spray with Effective Microorganisms (EM) also helps reduce itching and promote skin recovery. Such a spray contains 'good' bacteria, yeasts, and molds that drive out harmful bacteria and fungi. An EM spray has a calming effect and helps the skin rebalance faster.