Managing sweet itch in the pasture

Sweet itch is an increasingly common problem in the horse world. Where rubbed tails and manes once seemed to be a problem only for hardy pony breeds such as Icelandics and Friesians, it has now become a widespread phenomenon. Across the country you see horses and ponies fully covered in protective rugs out in the fields, perhaps yours are among them too. Read below to discover what else, besides using a sweet itch rug, can be done to fight this all-consuming itch.

The cause of sweet itch: the midge

Sweet itch, also known as tail and mane eczema (SME), is caused by bites from the Culicoides robertii midge. Commonly referred to as “midges,” these tiny insects measure just 2 mm in diameter and require blood from vertebrates to reproduce. People, cattle, and sheep are also affected. In sheep, for example, midges are sometimes responsible for transmitting bluetongue disease, a disease that, fortunately, does not occur in horses.

As soon as spring temperatures begin to rise (from early March), the overwintered eggs hatch and the reproduction cycle starts again. Midges lay new eggs in standing water. As summer progresses, you can see them more frequently, often swarming in large “clouds” above gardens and pastures. Under ideal conditions, warm, humid, and windless, there can be up to 700 midges in such a cloud.

Allergic reaction to midge protein

Midges live primarily near water, shrubs, and trees, avoiding sunlight and wind. The females need blood to lay eggs and inject their saliva, which contains proteins, into the horse while feeding. An allergic reaction to these proteins triggers the intense itching, which occurs mainly around the tail, mane, and sometimes along the midline of the belly.

These are exactly the places where midges can most easily reach the horse’s skin. Because of the allergy, horses and ponies experience increasingly severe itching, and their only way to relieve it is by rubbing. Often so intensely that they rub out entire sections of mane and tail hair. Over time, not only do they lose their lush tails, but the skin beneath also becomes damaged. Continuous rubbing can even lead to painful open wounds that heal poorly because they are constantly being reopened.

Preventing the itch

How can you prevent the unpleasant effects of sweet itch in horses and ponies? It’s a question that scientists, veterinarians, and horse owners have puzzled over for years. Common recommendations include fitting a sweet itch rug, applying insect-repellent products, turning horses out in breezy pastures (midges struggle to fly in wind), and stabling them during dawn and dusk. Creating an environment without standing water and with as few trees and shrubs nearby as possible also helps reduce exposure.

supporting resistance from the inside

It also appears that special nutrition—particularly feed that supports gut flora and immunity, can help relieve itching. Many factors contribute to skin sensitivity and allergic reactions, and immunity is an important one. When your horse or pony has strong resistance, the body is better able to fight off external triggers with minimal effort. If resistance is weakened, allergic reactions such as itching may develop. To keep immunity at its best, it is vital that your horse receives the right nutrients.

Voermeesters discovered that with the right processing of raw materials (Pure Feed), the essential nutrients needed to optimize immunity can be absorbed even more effectively through the digestive system.

Huid Vitaal by Voermeesters

Voermeesters has developed a pellet specifically designed to prevent and relieve sensitive skin. Voermeesters Huid Vitaal is a specially formulated base feed for horses and ponies with sensitive skin and/or itching, including sweet itch. The unique composition of this feed consists of:

Horse-specific feeding advice

Would you like to know if Huid Vitaal is suitable for your horse or pony? Try Huid Vitaal for two months. If your horse or pony struggles with sweet itch every year, we recommend starting with this pellet at the beginning of the season. Huid Vitaal strengthens your horse’s immune system via the digestive tract. Bringing the immune system to its highest level doesn’t happen overnight. This is because the gut bacteria need time to adjust to the improved composition of the feed, a process that takes a few weeks, but one that provides benefits for the entire season.Would you like to know which ration, including concentrates, best suits your horse or pony? Request a free feeding advice from the nutrition experts at Voermeesters.

Do you have a general question about what Huid Vitaal can do for your horse with skin problems? Contact our customer service team, we’ll be happy to provide you with professional advice.