Sweet itch action plan

With an estimated 10% of horses affected worldwide, it’s more than likely you’ve come across, or even owned, a horse with sweet itch. An allergic reaction to the saliva of the Culicoides midge, sweet itch recurs every year in affected horses. It can cause anything from mild discomfort to intense irritation, which results in a horse rubbing bitten areas almost constantly on any surface he can find. In cases such as these, his skin may become inflamed and you may notice open wounds, crusty scabs, and hair loss and breakage.

Although a vaccine may be on the horizon, the only treatment currently available to sweet itch sufferers is diligent management or, better still, preventative measures. We’ve covered all bases with everything you need to help your horse ditch the itch this season.

Latest research in to sweet itch

Thanks to a team of Swiss researchers, a vaccine against sweet itch could become available in the next year or so. A recent trial led by Antonia Fettelschoss-Gabriel, of the University Hospital Zurich Department of Dermatology, was conducted on 34 Icelandic horses, who showed a significant reduction in sweet itch symptoms. According to the data collected, half the group showed a 50% improvement, while a quarter’s symptoms were improved by 75%.

Did you know?

The areas most commonly affected by sweet itch are the mane, dock, neck and belly, although the entire body is susceptible.

In the stable

Sometimes, stabling alone isn’t enough and fly-proofing measures must be taken to keep your horse’s box free from biting insects, such as…

• mesh screens A screen with a tight weave to cover your stable’s entrance will help keep midges out. Choose the finest gauge you can find – midges can be as small as 1mm diameter
• stable sprays Spritz a horse-safe insecticide around his living quarters to repel winged invaders
• stable fans Midges can’t fly in even fairly gentle winds, so running a fan will blow them off course

Pick up a copy of April Horse&Rider, on sale 5 March, for more information on how to prevent sweet itch before it sets in.