Equine Skin Diseases: Welfare Management Overview

Key Facts

• Sweet itch (equine summer seasonal recurrent dermatitis) affects up to 5% of UK horses, causing intense pruritus
• Ringworm (Trichophyton, Microsporum) is highly contagious and affects horses of all ages — zoonotic risk exists
• Mud fever (pastern dermatitis) is caused by Dermatophilus and bacteria in wet, muddy conditions
• Nodular skin diseases including sarcoids and melanomas have higher prevalence in specific breeds
• Skin conditions are among the most common reasons for veterinary consultation in equine practice

Welfare Considerations

Equine skin diseases cause significant welfare impact through pruritus (itching), pain, and self-trauma. Sweet itch horses in untreated cases rub themselves raw, causing open wounds. The distress from intense, unrelievable itch is a major welfare concern during the midge season. Proper management with physical barriers (rug covers, fine mesh fly rugs) and midge avoidance strategies (stabling at dawn and dusk) dramatically reduces sweet itch suffering. Mud fever causes pain and lameness from pastern inflammation — prevention through management of wet fields and protective barrier creams is most effective.

What You Can Do

• Apply fly rugs and neck covers from April-October for sweet itch horses — physical barriers are most effective
• Stable sweet itch horses during peak midge activity (dawn and dusk) from May-September
• Clean and dry pasterns daily during wet weather to prevent mud fever establishment
• Use antifungal sprays and strict isolation for ringworm cases to prevent spread and protect humans
• Consult your vet about desensitization immunotherapy for severe, refractory sweet itch cases