Sweet Itch on Horse

Sweet Itch is a seasonal allergic skin condition which is caused by fly bites. The condition is also known as Summer Seasonal Recurrent Dermatitis (SSRD). The most commonly involved fly in this is Culicoides pulicaris midge. The intense irritation causes the horse to rub its mane and tail and sore patches are formed. Approximately every horse breed has suffered the problem of sweet itch. It is known by different names in various countries like Queensland Itch in Australia, Sommer Ekzem in Germany and Kasen in Japan. Sweet itch has bedeviled horses and perplexed horse owners for many years. Learn how to deal with sweet itch on horse from the following account.

Symptoms of Sweet Itch on Horse

• The horse rubs and bites itself, sometimes so much that they bleed.
• A local allergic reaction is caused by the fly bites and papules and pustules develop. The sores can blubber and may even bleed.
• Ample hair loss is seen in most of the affected areas. As a matter of fact, a horse may loose most of its mane or tail if it is left untreated.
• Though areas most affected are the tail and mane but face, ears, poll, chest and ventral abdomen are other body areas that can also be affected.
• Chronically thickened, wrinkled and blackened skin

Treatment of Sweet Itch

The exact treatment of sweet itch is still not known but it can be controlled and you can help your horse against this problem with the help of following methods-

• Use fly sheets designed or tailored to extend at least halfway down the horse’s tail, thus covering areas that gnats especially attack.
• Keep your horses away from marshy areas where these flies bred.
• Feed the horse about two tablespoons of garlic powder twice everyday to make his sweat smell like garlic and ward off the flies.
• Fan can stimulate pleasant flow of air and this soothe the itchy skin of horse.
• You can apply insect repellents to the mane and tail region of the horse.
• Affected horses should be stabled at least an hour before sunset and should be brought out only after sunrise.
• There should be an insect proof screen in the stable to prevent the midges from entering.

Sweet itch on horse is a skin disease that has troubled horses and horse owners for ages. Especially, during summer months, the problem of sweet itch is on its peak.Though it is a non-contagious disease; it is a threat to the horses that suffer from it. There are certain drugs that are used in the total treatment of the sweet itch on horse. Anti-histamines are also used but results are capricious. Corticosteroids are very successful at plummeting the signs of itch. Oral prednisolone can work successfully if it is given as a therapy given every alternative day. It should be kept in mind that with excessive use of corticosteroids the risk of inducing laminitis in the horse can be increased. Thus, observe and follow precautions in order to save your horse from the troublesome sweet itch.