Sweet Itch Management: Equine Welfare Guide

Key Welfare Considerations

• Sweet itch is caused by hypersensitivity to salivary antigens from Culicoides biting midges.
• Approximately 5% of the UK equine population is affected, with higher prevalence in native breeds.
• Welfare impacts include intense pruritus, self-trauma from rubbing, skin thickening, and secondary infection.
• Mane and tail rubbing causes extensive hair loss and open wounds with welfare-impacting secondary infection.
• Affected horses show stereotypic rubbing behaviour that consumes significant time and energy.
• Insect control is the primary welfare intervention — full-body sweet itch rugs reduce midge contact.
• Fine mesh turnout rugs over head, neck, body, and tail are most effective welfare protection.
• Stabling at dawn and dusk when midges peak reduces welfare exposure significantly.
• Culicicides are attracted to still water — avoiding fields near water bodies reduces welfare exposure.
• Permethrin-based sprays provide limited additional protection when combined with rugs.
• Immunotherapy (desensitisation) is being developed and may offer long-term welfare improvement.
• Corticosteroids reduce the inflammatory response but carry long-term welfare risks including laminitis.
• Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation and antihistamines provide modest welfare symptom management.
• Pentoxifylline improves microcirculation and may reduce welfare symptom severity in chronic cases.
• Sweet itch welfare management is lifelong — affected horses require annual preparation before midge season.