Horse itching can be caused by a variety of things, including parasites, allergies, and climate factors. Knowing the cause of the itch is the first step to treating it. Some common causes of itching in horses include:
- Parasites – Horses can be affected by parasites such as mites and lice, which can cause severe itching.
- Allergies – Horses can become allergic to certain foods, plants, and other allergens, which can cause itching and inflammation.
- Climate – Horses can become itchy in hot, humid weather, as well as in dry, cold temperatures.
How to Identify the Cause of the Itch
If you suspect your horse is itching due to parasites, allergies, or climate factors, it is important to get a proper diagnosis from your vet. Your vet will be able to examine your horse and determine the cause of the itching. They may also recommend treatments to help relieve the itching.
Treatments for Horse Itching
Once the cause of the itching has been identified, there are a variety of treatments that can be used to help relieve the itching. Some of these treatments include:
- Medication – Depending on the cause of the itching, your vet may recommend anti-inflammatory medications or other types of medication to help relieve the itching.
- Bathing – Bathing your horse can help remove parasites and allergens, and can also help soothe the skin and reduce itching.
- Grooming – Regular grooming can help remove parasites, allergens, and dirt from your horse’s coat, which can help reduce itching.
- Diet – If your horse is allergic to certain foods, your vet may recommend a diet change to help reduce the itching.
- Climate Control – If the climate is a factor in your horse’s itching, you may need to provide additional shelter, bedding, or cooling measures to help reduce the itching.
What Can I Put on My Horse to Stop Itching?
There are a variety of products that can be used to help stop your horse’s itching. These products include:
- Topical Ointments or Creams – These products can help soothe the skin and reduce inflammation, which may help reduce itching.
- Horse Blankets – Horse blankets can help protect your horse’s skin from the elements, and can also help reduce itching.
- Shampoos and Conditioners – Special shampoos and conditioners can help remove allergens and parasites from your horse’s coat, which may help reduce itching.
- Antihistamines – If your horse is itching due to allergies, your vet may recommend an antihistamine to help reduce the itching.
- Herbal Remedies – Herbal remedies such as garlic, ginger, and aloe vera can help soothe the skin and reduce inflammation, which may help reduce itching.
Preventing Horse Itching
In addition to treating your horse’s itching, it is also important to take steps to prevent it from happening in the first place. Some steps you can take to help prevent horse itching include:
- Regular Grooming – Regular grooming can help remove allergens, parasites, and dirt from your horse’s coat, which can help prevent itching.
- Maintain a Clean Environment – Keeping your horse’s environment clean and free from allergens and parasites can help prevent itching.
- Provide Adequate Shelter – Making sure your horse has access to adequate shelter from the elements can help reduce the risk of itching.
- Provide a Balanced Diet – Providing your horse with a balanced diet can help reduce the risk of allergies, which can help reduce itching.
Conclusion
Itching can be a frustrating problem for horses, but with the right treatment and prevention measures, it can be managed. Knowing the cause of the itch is the first step to treating it, and there are a variety of products that can be used to help stop the itching. It is also important to take steps to prevent itching, such as regular grooming and maintaining a clean environment. With the right treatment and prevention measures, you can help keep your horse itch-free.
References
Parasites
Stricker, C. (2017). Horse Parasites: Everything You Need to Know. The Spruce Pets. Retrieved from https://www.thesprucepets.com/horse-parasites-1807739
Allergies
N.A. (2017). Allergies in Horses. American Association of Equine Practitioners. Retrieved from https://aaep.org/horsehealth/allergies-in-horses
Climate
N.A. (2020). Itchy Horses. Michigan State University. Retrieved from https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/itchy_horses
Treatments
N.A. (2018). Treating Itchy Horses. The Horse. Retrieved from https://thehorse.com/156871/treating-itchy-horses/
Prevention
N.A. (2020). How to Prevent Horse Itching. The Horse. Retrieved from https://thehorse.com/156870/how-to-prevent-horse-itching/