🐴 Preparing for Sweet Itch Season: Tips to Stay Ahead & How Our 2-in-1 Fly Repellent & Skin Tonic Can Help

Stable Environment
Jan 27
3 min read

Its wet and cold now but soon the seasons will shift and the warmer weather will creep in, then so too does the dreaded sweet itch season - that time of year when tiny biting insects set their sights on your horse, leaving them itchy, uncomfortable, and restless.

But you don’t have to wait for it to get bad, with the right preparation and a proactive approach, you can help keep your horse comfortable, happy, and protected.

🌡️ What Is Sweet Itch?

Sweet itch (also known as summer itch) is an allergic reaction to the saliva of biting insects like midges (Culicoides). It causes:

Intense irritation
Persistent scratching
Hair loss
Broken skin
Open sores and secondary infections

And once it starts, it’s HARD to stop. The good news? With early preparation, you can significantly reduce your horse’s discomfort before symptoms escalate.

🐜 Why Soon Is the Time to Prep

As temperatures start to rise and evenings get longer, midges and other biting insects become more active - especially around dawn and dusk. Even if you’re not seeing swarms yet, they’re on the horizon.

Waiting until the itch begins is like waiting until hay fever hits before clearing pollen - it’s already too late.

So what can you do now?

📋 Your Pre-Season Sweet Itch Checklist

Here are practical steps to stay ahead of the season:

✅ 1. Start Protection Early

Don’t wait for bites to appear - begin using protection before bugs find your horse.

✅ 2. Groom Daily

Regular grooming removes dust, enhances coat health, and gives you a chance to check for irritation spots.

✅ 3. Keep Stables & Fields Clean

Regular mucking and removing poo from your paddocks helps reduce insect breeding grounds.

✅ 4. Use Physical Barriers

Lightweight fly rugs and fly masks with ears can make a huge difference - especially at peak biting times. Apply repellent to these too!

✅ 5. Apply a Strategic Repellent

This is where our 2-in-1 Fly Repellent & Skin Tonic really shines.

🧴 How Our 2-in-1 Fly Repellent & Skin Tonic Can Help

Designed specifically for horses who struggle with biting insects and sensitive skin, our 2-in-1 Fly Repellent & Skin Tonic does more than just keep flies away - it soothes and protects the skin too.

Here’s how your horse benefits:

🛡️ Dual Action Protection

Not only repels biting insects like midges, flies, and mosquitos, but also conditions the skin for long-lasting comfort.

🌿 Gentle Yet Effective

Formulated with skin-friendly ingredients that help reduce irritation - especially helpful if your horse is already showing early sweet itch signs.

💆 Skin-Soothing Support

Even the most careful fly protection can still leave skin sensitive - our tonic helps calm redness, itchiness, and inflammation.

🐎 Everyday Use

Lightweight and easy to apply - perfect as part of your daily grooming routine.

🧠 Pro Tip: Make It a Daily Habit

Consistency is key.

Apply the tonic every day - especially during dawn and dusk to keep your horse protected throughout sweet itch season.

🍃 Let’s Keep Them Comfortable This Season

Sweet itch might be on the horizon, but with preparation, consistency, and the right tools, you can make this year the most comfortable one yet for your horse.

👉 Ready to get ahead of sweet itch? Our 2-in-1 Fly Repellent & Skin Tonic is here to help - ask us how you can integrate it into your daily equine care routine!