Sweet Itch is a seasonal allergic skin condition caused by bites from Culicoides midges, leading to intense itching, rubbing, and hair loss, especially around the mane, tail, and neck. It can seriously affect a horse’s comfort and quality of life. At Dr Silver, we focus on understanding the immune response and supporting horses with targeted nutrition and smart, practical management.

A deeper look at seasonal skin sensitivity in horses — and what’s often missed Understanding sweet itch The frustrating reality You’re feeding multiple supplements. You’re using rugs, sprays, and strict fly control. You’ve adjusted the diet, added oils, minerals, even antihistamines. And yet… your horse is still rubbing their mane and tail. This situation is far more common than many realise — and importantly, it’s not usually due to lack of effort. In many cases, the missing

Sweet itch is one of the most common seasonal skin conditions affecting horses and ponies in the UK and other temperate climates. It is a hypersensitivity reaction to insect bites, most commonly from biting midges (Culicoides species). Although not life-threatening, it can significantly impact a horse’s comfort, behaviour, and quality of life if not properly managed. Itchy horse What is Sweet Itch? Sweet itch, also known as equine insect hypersensitivity, is an allergic react