A rather deceptive name for a horrible condition, there is nothing sweet about Sweetitch at all.
Sweetitch horses and ponies are allergic to a certain type of midge bite, the midges concerned are usually around at Dawn and Dusk. They are everywhere although are there will obviously be more in places with static water. Horses and ponies with this allergy can start to show symptoms from 1 year old up to about 5 years old, there is no way of knowing if they have this condition until they start itching.
As we know when midges bite they itch, usually this only temporary but with Sweetitch horses and ponies the itching is considerably worse and they have to rub or scratch the area effected to relieve the itching, it is often so severe that they will rub and rub until they break the skin causing welts and open sores if left untreated.
Usually the worst areas are the mane and tail, although any whorls on the body also seem prone.
Also stress can aggravate the condition, which proves to be a vicious circle as the more itchy they become, the more stressed they become and so on. Very severe cases can become sensitive to UV rays (sunshine), these type of horses and ponies can only really go out when it is dark or overcast which can be a problem but this is quite rare.
Keeping the effected horse in at Dawn and Dusk seems to help, brushing them off daily and applying the various treatments to effected areas can usually keep this condition under control. In severe cases sometimes an injection of Corticosteroids will help ease the itching. There are also anti midge rugs available now which are a godsend, they are made of fine gauze and cover most of the body (including the head) and midges cannot penetrate the material. Your horses may look a bit like a teabag with one on but it is preferable to the suffering this condition can cause.
There is no ultimate cure for this condition but we have found that religiously keeping it under control over the years does help and each year it seems slightly less severe. As long as there are no sores in the tack area the horse can still lead a normal life and be ridden etc.
By Syra
