SWEET ITCH

Sweet itch (also called summer eczema) is an allergy, usually to bites of the cullicoides midge. Horses imported from Iceland are often quite susceptible to sweet itch, and it's thought that around 35% of them will get it at some time in their lives. The occurence of sweet itch is much, much less in home- or European-bred Icelandics, or in foals born in the UK from Icelandic-bred horses. There is no real treatment for sweet itch at present, though much research is being carried out, and the main things seems to be to treat the symptoms, and to prevent the horse getting bitten in the first place.

We've found the best way to control sweet itch is to use a purpose-made sweet itch blanket during midgy periods, which covers the horse completely and prevents midges biting. The horse wears the blanket all the time - the blankets are water resistant and breathable, and the horse stays cooler inside the blanket even on a hot day. We've tried all sorts of lotions, potions, feed supplements etc and the blanket is the only thing that really works. Likewise, we've tried all the various makes of sweet itch blanket. The Boett is very good, but expensive, and invariably the elastic goes saggy after one summer's use. Cheaper makes are a false economy as they rarely fit well and the material is not so rugged.

The best we've found anywhere is the ITCH OFF rug made by deMeulenkamp in Holland. These are made from the same material as the Boett rugs, but with good elastic, darted shoulders for an even better fit, lots of different sizes (from Shetlands to Shires), and they cost only £100, roughly 2/3rd the price of the Boett.

I've just started importing and selling them - contact me for details.