Equine Sweet Itch: Welfare Management of Allergic Skin Disease

Sweet itch caused by Culicoides midge bites causes severe, chronic itching in affected horses, requiring careful management throughout the summer months.

Key Facts

Sweet itch is an allergic reaction to Culicoides midge bites
Affected horses rub mane and tail vigorously causing hair loss and skin damage
Rugs designed to exclude midges significantly reduce exposure and symptoms
The condition is heritable and some breeds including Shetlands are predisposed
Newer immunotherapy approaches including Culicoides allergen desensitisation are under investigation

Welfare Considerations

Horses with sweet itch experience intense, chronic pruritus during the midge season from spring to autumn. The itching causes self-trauma through rubbing, creating skin wounds that can become infected. Affected horses show significant distress during peak midge activity periods. Without management, sweet itch causes sustained welfare impairment throughout the summer season. Welfare-focused management includes midge-proof turnout rugs and face masks, keeping horses stabled during dawn and dusk midge activity peaks, avoiding midge-rich pastures near water, and pharmacological management with corticosteroids during peak periods.

What You Can Do

Use a Culicoides-proof sweet itch rug and mask during the midge season
Stable affected horses during dawn and dusk when Culicoides are most active
Avoid paddocks near standing water where midges breed
Discuss corticosteroid treatment with your vet for severe cases
Support research into effective immunotherapy for sweet itch horses