Managing Sweet Itch (Equine Dermatitis) in Horses.

Equine dermatitis, commonly known as sweet itch, is a seasonal skin sensitivity that causes discomfort and itching in horses. While there’s no single cure, a combination of environmental care, digestive support, and topical skin comfort can make a significant difference in your horse’s wellbeing.

Every horse reacts differently, so understanding your horse’s specific needs is essential for effective management.

Daily Care to Support Comfort

Environment

• Keep stables, paddocks, and turnout areas clean, dry, and well-ventilated to minimize insect activity.

• Avoid turnout during peak insect activity, typically dawn and late evening, when midges and other biting insects are most active.

Seasonal Internal Support

• At the end of winter, consider a liver cleanse to help your horse’s body process accumulated toxins.

• Repeat in late summer as autumn approaches to support seasonal resilience.

Whole-Horse Health

• Schedule regular equine dental checks, as oral discomfort can contribute to systemic stress.

• Keep your horse actively worked, and adjust rations according to workload and individual needs.

A digestive clue to watch for : The Horse’s Relationship With Food

In horses prone to equine dermatitis, the skin is often not the only system under stress. One important — and frequently overlooked — clue lies in the digestive system, particularly the stomach.

A horse with underlying gastric discomfort may develop a very intense or anxious relationship with food, hay, or grass. This can present in several ways:

• Constant searching for forage, even when hay is available

• Eating very quickly or aggressively

• Becoming stressed or unsettled when feed is delayed

• Showing irritability or tension around mealtimes

• Difficulty maintaining weight despite adequate rations

Why Digestion Matters in Dermatitis

The digestive tract plays a central role in immune balance and inflammation. When the stomach or gut lining is irritated, the body may respond with heightened inflammatory reactions. In sensitive horses, this internal imbalance can express itself externally — through the skin.

Gastric discomfort may:

• Increase systemic inflammation

• Disrupt nutrient absorption needed for skin repair

• Place additional stress on the liver, which is responsible for filtering metabolic waste and allergens

Over time, this internal stress can make allergic skin reactions more frequent, more intense, and harder to manage, even with excellent topical care.

Supporting the Digestive System

If a horse with dermatitis shows an excessive focus on food, it may be helpful to:

• Review feeding frequency and ensure near-constant access to forage

• Avoid long fasting periods

• Adapt rations to the horse’s workload and metabolism

• Monitor body condition, and behavior changes

While digestive support alone will not “cure” dermatitis, addressing internal comfort can significantly improve the horse’s overall resilience and response to skin care protocols.

Horses prone to sweet itch often show a strong fixation on food, hay, or grass. This may include:

• Eating quickly or aggressively

• Stress when food is delayed

• Frequent searching for forage

• Difficulty maintaining weight

These behaviors can indicate underlying digestive stress, which may amplify skin sensitivity and itching. Supporting your horse’s digestive health helps reduce discomfort and makes topical care more effective.

From Internal Imbalance to Visible Itching

When internal systems are under stress, the skin may show signs such as:

• Persistent rubbing of the mane, tail, belly, chest, or head

• Hair loss or broken hairs

• Dry, thickened, or inflamed-looking skin

• Scabs or crusting from scratching

• Restlessness or behavioral changes linked to discomfort

Early recognition allows you to intervene with comfort-focused care before scratching damages the skin further.

Conclusion

Sweet itch can be frustrating for both horses and their owners, but with a little observation, consistent care, and attention to comfort, you can help your horse enjoy a more comfortable summer.

For carefully formulated, plant-based products designed to support skin comfort and limit insect contact, visit Double Diamond Equine's skin care pages.

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