Horses

Midges & Horses

Biting midges don't inconvenience only us humans, many other animals also suffer during the summer. One of the worst affected is the horse.

Sweet Itch

Horses can be hyper-sensitive to midge bites. To some this is just an irritation, however in some horses this develops into a full scale allergic reaction. This condition is known as sweet itch, also called Summer Seasonal Recurrent Dermatitis (SSRD).

Sweet itch causes extreme irritation in horses and they may spend a large amount of timee scratching themselves, possibly rubbing against trees. Sometimes this constant rubbing results in secondary problems such as baldness, sores and nfection.

Avoiding Sweet Itch

Anything that can reduce the horse's exposure to midges can potentially reduce the problems from sweet itch. Some places - such as those near standing water - are especially popular with midges and hence best avoided. Similarly, avoid those times of day when midges are most active.

You might want to consider protecting your horse's environment through the use of midge repellent devices such as the Midge Eater.

Another alternative is to buy one of the protective rugs or blankets available on the market such as the Boett Blanket.

Important: Sweet itch is a serious condition and you should consult your vet first.