The summer months can prove challenging for horse owners devoted to keeping their horse happy and comfortable. It can be most distressing to have an itchy horse which literally rubs on anything available, rubbing away hair and even skin. Itching issues are mainly a problem over the summer months but can also occur during mild springs and autumns, and some beasties can make their presence known all year round!
Natural sprays for horses
In the UK, several species of the Culicoides midge and, to a lesser extent, the larger, hump-backed Simulium Equinum, a member of the blackfly family, are responsible for intense irritation in horses. Different midges have preferred feeding sites; Culicoides tend to be body feeders and the Simulium ear feeders. Culicoides adults mainly rest among herbage and are most active at dawn or dusk in calm conditions. They do not fly in strong wind, heavy rain or bright, clear sunshine. They dislike hot, dry conditions. Normally, when bitten by a midge, the horse’s immune system recognises a foreign protein and reacts to eliminate the substance. In horses the immune system overreacts, in the same way hay fever sufferers overreact to pollens. This is known as a type one hypersensitivity reaction.
Natural solutions for itchy ponies
Itching causes a horse to rub and scratch away the tail, mane and parts of the coat, sometimes posing significant problems. Measures should be taken to stop a horse being bitten and reacting. Wherever possible, susceptible horses should be moved to pasture away from trees, nettles and rotten vegetation, such as muck heaps and leaves; chalk-based grassland is better than heavy clay pasture, and pasture on a windy hillside is preferable. Turnout during dawn and dusk should be avoided – good turnout times are when there’s a proper wind, heavy rain or bright, clear sunshine with hot, dry conditions. Fly screens can be fitted to windows and doors, and protective rugs help reduce the biting. Pro-Equine has developed a range of Neem-based products specifically for horses. We are aware that some horses don’t like sprays so the Alternative Fly Spray is also available as an antibacterial, soothing gel called Wunder Gel. By buying good quality, pure Neem Oil, you can make up your own shampoo, spray or lotion – a little goes a long way!
