| From as early as march through to October the | | | | There are several steps that can be taken to help |
| Culicoides specie of midge are breeding and this only | | | | minimise the effect on the horse they are: |
| means one thing for certain horses and that is sweet | | | | Minimise midge attacks by: |
| itch or summer seasonal recurrent dermatitis. | | | | Avoiding marshy or boggy fields; Don't put the horse in |
| Sweet itch is an allergic skin disease caused by a | | | | a field or stable near rotting vegetation such as a |
| reaction to the saliva in a Cullicoides midge bite. The | | | | muck heap or old hay feeding areas; Don't leave the |
| bite will cause an isolated irritation in the skin, the horse | | | | horse in the field during peak feeding time for midges (1 |
| will then self inflict damage to him trying to rub the | | | | hour before and after sunrise and sunset), at this time |
| irritated areas. | | | | stable the horse closing all doors and windows or use |
| Sweet Itch can affect any horse or pony, although | | | | fine mesh screens. (stabling horses is only advisable in |
| normally symptoms start to show between the ages | | | | mild/moderate cases as horses with more severe |
| of 1 and 5 years of age. | | | | sweet itch can self damage on stable walls. Horses |
| Signs of the disease are, severe itching and rubbing | | | | with severe sweet itch should not be stabled and |
| against trees, fences etc which will cause hair loss; | | | | other management methods used.); use commercially |
| swishing of tail; frequently rolling; flaky dandruff; skin | | | | available sheets and hoods when horse is turned out; |
| thickening; weeping sores or dried yellow crusts. Often | | | | clean water troughs regularly to prevent flies breeding |
| the affected areas are the mane and top of tail, | | | | in this area. |
| although in worse cases this can include the forelock, | | | | Kill flies that attack the horse by using: |
| ears, neck, withers and even sides of the belly or legs. | | | | Insect repellents such as DEET; Insecticides containing |
| Once a horse has Sweet Itch there is no cure and will | | | | Benzyl benzoate can be used every day (Kill Itch by |
| occur every year so the welfare and comfort of a | | | | Carr Day & Martin) however insecticides containing |
| horse with Sweet Itch is down to the owner's | | | | pyrethrins or pyrethroids last longer but are only |
| management of the condition. | | | | available from vets (Switch by Day, Son and Hewitt). |