Sweet itch is an allergy to midge saliva causing intense itching of the mane, tail and belly. Manage it with midge barriers, stabling at dawn and dusk, fly rugs and masks, and soothing care for the skin.
What causes it
Sweet itch is an allergic reaction to the saliva of biting midges. Susceptible horses react to the bites with intense itching, usually along the mane, tail dock and belly. It appears in the warmer months when midges are active and eases in winter.
Spot the signs
Look for frantic rubbing, broken and thinned mane and tail hair, bald patches, thickened or weeping skin, and restlessness. Because the damage is self-inflicted through rubbing, protecting the skin from bites is the key to control.
Keep midges off
Midges are worst at dawn and dusk, so stable reactive horses at those times with a fan to keep air moving, since midges are weak fliers. A fine-mesh fly rug and a fly mask form a physical barrier over the body and face.
Repel and soothe
Midge-specific repellents and a suitable fly spray reduce bites, while soothing lotions ease the itch and protect broken skin. Reapply as needed, and patch-test on already-sore skin.
Manage the environment
Midges breed near standing water and muck, so keep horses away from ponds and wet ground at peak times, and site fields in breezier, drier spots. With consistent management, most sweet-itch horses stay comfortable, but severe cases need veterinary help.
