Ration —
24 September 2025
Tested: pellet for sensitive skin
Skin problems and summer eczema can be very unpleasant for your horse. If nothing seems to help externally, your horse or pony may need support from within. For this purpose, Voermeesters developed the pellet Huid Vitaal. Voermeesters tested this feed on horses suffering from eczema. The results showed that the majority of horses experienced fewer skin issues after being fed Huid Vitaal.
Sensitivity to insect bites and stings
Insect hypersensitivity is also commonly known as sweet itch or summer eczema. Until a few years ago, mainly hardy breeds such as Friesians and Shetlands seemed prone to sensitive skin, but nowadays it is increasingly observed across many breeds. This sensitivity occurs particularly in summer. The Culicoides midge is often the culprit, although some horses also react hypersensitively to bites or stings from other insects.
Feeding specially designed for sensitive skin
When the immune system is under pressure, horses are more likely to suffer from skin sensitivity. Nutrition plays a major role in supporting the immune system. Voermeesters Huid Vitaal has been specially developed to support horses with sensitive skin. Voermeesters has studied the practical effects of this feed.
Tested across different breeds and ages
The aim of the study was to determine whether a balanced diet could reduce skin-related symptoms in horses. In the summer of 2018, 20 horses of various breeds and ages took part in the trial: Warmblood/KWPN, Fjord, Welsh, Friesian, Shetland, Haflinger, and American Paint Horse. Each horse was visited at least twice between April and September, with photos taken of the affected skin areas and the severity of the condition recorded.
Severe skin problems reduced
The results showed that the severity of skin lesions decreased over time. Severe and very severe skin scores observed at the start of the study were no longer present by the final assessment. At the second measurement, the number of mild, moderate, and severe scores had increased, likely because the skin-problem season had just begun. However, fewer cases were recorded in the “very severe” category, and by the third measurement, no severe or very severe scores were observed at all.
“We could never groom Abel properly. His skin was extremely sensitive. Already in the first period after starting him on Huid Vitaal, we were able to groom him!”
– Betty from Paardenrusthuis Stal Yn it Span
In the photo on the left, you see Abel before Huid Vitaal. In the photo on the right, you see Abel after being fed Voermeesters Huid Vitaal.
Change in behavior
Wendy Warmerdam, nutritionist Voermeesters: “Remarkable was the change in behavior in two of the horses. At the first assessments, we couldn’t even approach these horses because they were in pain and simply didn’t want to be touched by strangers. By the second assessment, one of these horses had already transformed into a horse that once again showed interest in its surroundings and curiously came up to sniff. These two horses clearly demonstrate that itching is a real discomfort, leading to changes in behavior.”
Impurities released from the body
In one of the test horses, a lot of impurities were released from the body without any clear reason—except that the concentrate had been switched to Huid Vitaal. Afterward, this horse’s skin calmed down significantly. The affected areas turned a healthy light pink. It is likely that the nutritional composition of the feed helped the body eliminate waste products.
Composition of Voermeesters Huid Vitaal
Voermeesters is convinced that a healthy horse starts with good gut health and a strong immune system. This is achieved in several ways: from the careful selection and processing of raw materials to the inclusion of nutrients that, in this case, support healthy skin function. To optimally support the skin, Voermeesters Huid Vitaal contains, among others, the following nutrients:
- DHA (omega-3 fatty acid): supports horses during illness or stress and has anti-inflammatory properties
- Vitamins C and E, zinc, and selenium: powerful antioxidants
- Yeast cultures: to support digestion
- Alfalfa: for additional fiber and easily digestible protein
- Linseed and linseed oil: to support healthy skin and coat function and as a second source of omega-3 fatty acids
- Biotin: to support the healthy function of skin, hair, and hooves
Discover what Huid Vitaal can do for your horse
Request a free feeding advice on our website and discover for yourself what Huid Vitaal can mean for your horses and ponies.