Horse summer dermatitis, also known as recurrent summer dermatitis, is a common skin problem in equines.
It is a skin reaction caused by an allergic reaction to the bites of midges
(of the Culicoide genus), horseflies and mosquitoes, causing severe itching,
skin irritation and skin lesions that can affect your horse’s well-being.
It often appears in spring, with the return of fine weather, and intensifies
during the summer months. It gradually disappears in autumn, but
as its name suggests, the disease recurs every year.
Which areas are most affected by summer horse dermatitis?
The areas most often affected are the horse’s mane, tail, tail base, midline
back, and more rarely the horse’s belly.
What are the symptoms of summer dermatitis in horses?
Recurrent summer dermatitis often manifests itself through a number of symptoms, but
their intensity can vary from horse to horse.
As a general rule, the symptoms are :
- Excessive itching:
Equines suffering from summer dermatitis scratch frequently, sometimes causing hair loss and skin lesions. - Skin irritation:
The skin can become red, swollen and irritated, making the horse’s daily routine very uncomfortable. - Scabs and sores:
Scratching can cause skin lesions to develop into scabs and open sores: watch out for infections! - Loss of weight and appetite:
The discomfort and stress caused by summer dermatitis can lead to loss of appetite your horse’s weight.
Why does my horse have summer dermatitis?
Although summer dermatitis is an allergic reaction to the saliva of biting insects other factors may also contribute to the onset of the disease.
- Genetic causes
Some breeds of horse are genetically predisposed to developing the disease. - Environmental factors
If your horse lives in a damp, wooded or swampy area, the chances of contracting dermatitis are higher, due to the high number of biting insects in this type of environment. - Your horse’s hygiene
Tangled hair is more likely to attract insects.
Neglecting your horse’s grooming can encourage the development of the disease.
How can I prevent summer dermatitis in horses?
Prevention is the best treatment you can offer your horse
against summer dermatitis.
Here are our tips for preventing or reducing the severity of the disease:
- Protect your horse from insects
You can use horse-friendly insect repellents and fly blankets to prevent bites.
To complete this point, we invite you to read our article on how to protecting your horse from insects in summer.
Our natural recipe for fighting insects
Pour 2 tablespoons of cider vinegar into 1 liter of water.
Use this solution on the horse’s hair and manes.
In addition to its midge-repellent effect, cider vinegar has soothing cider vinegar has soothing properties on irritations (although be careful not to apply on lesions that are too advanced).
- Adapt your horse’s environment
To reduce the presence of biting insects, keep your stable clean! - Apply skin care products:
You can apply a local tincture of calendula, garlic, comfrey, St. John’s wort or other natural remedies. St. John’s wort or propolis, while moisturizing your horse with an appropriate oil.
Remember to brush your horse regularly to remove dead hairs and prevent and avoid tangles in the mane and tail. - Boost your horse’s immune system before summer:
To avoid summer dermatitis, you can give your horse immune-boosting herbs such as such as garlic, calendula, nettle, kelp and meadowsweet. meadowsweet. These plants contain sulfur, which boosts the horse’s defenses and purify the bloodstream of toxins.
Treating summer dermatitis
Despite your vigilance and precautions, your horse may come down with summer dermatitis.
Don’t panic, there are a number of simple measures you can take your best companion’s discomfort.
- Use antihistamines: they can help reduce itching.
- Use corticosteroids: they can help reduce inflammation.
- Use soothing creams: topical creams can quickly relieve
your horse’s skin irritation.
Always consult your equine veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment of treatment of recurrent summer dermatitis.
For horses already affected, a number of dried plants are recommended:
- Bedstraw to support the lymphatic system and promote hair growth.
- Anti-microbial herbs such as echinacea, garlic and calendula to stimulate
white blood cell production. - Buckwheat for its anti-histaminic properties.
Summer dermatitis is very frustrating for horse owners, but don’t worry.
With proper management, you can minimize the impact of the disease on your horse’s health and well-being.