Sweet itch is an allergic skin condition affecting a significant proportion of horses. Chronic itching and self-trauma cause significant welfare compromise requiring active management.
Sweet itch causes significant, recurrent welfare compromise in affected horses. The chronic nature of the condition — returning every midge season and potentially worsening with age — means that horses without appropriate management live months of each year in significant discomfort. The compulsive rubbing that characterizes severe sweet itch is a visible welfare indicator: horses rub until skin is raw, bleeding, and infected. Management requires a multi-pronged approach because no single intervention completely eliminates exposure or reaction. Affected horses benefit enormously from comprehensive management: physical insect exclusion using specialist rugs during peak midge activity, appropriate topical treatment, and in severe cases systemic treatment under veterinary guidance.