Sweet Itch Care & Feed for Icelandic Horses

What can help protect against sweet itch in Icelandic horses?

With sweet itch, various causes can converge to create a major problem. Therefore, the horses treatment should always be considered and approached holistically.
Important: Consult your vet about all plans and steps beforehand!
Fundementally, the following things can help protect against sweet itch in Icelandic horses:

• Adjusted feeding
• Sufficient exercise
• Turnout adapted to peak insect flight times
• Sweet itch rugs
• Fly protection
• Care products to alleviate symptoms

One of the reasons your Icelandic horse may develop sweet itch is an overreaction to insect bites. As Icelandic horses cope with different conditions in their country of origin than they do in the countries they're imported to, it's important to protect them from the abundance of local insects during the summer months. This can be achieved by adjusting turnout times to the main flight times of the insects. To do this, turn out your Icelandic horse between approximately 9 o'clock in the morning and 5 o'clock in the evening. It is advisable to have a turnout location with plenty of air movement as well, as insects tend to avoid draughts. Additionally, fly protection and sweet itch rugs are recommended.
Sufficient exercise stimulates the circulation and metabolism in an Icelandic horse, allowing toxins and waste products to be broken down more effectively. You can support this with appropriate feed. Alongside hay as the primary feed and small amounts of protein, a little sugar, starch and various herbs can help to stimulate the metabolism. Milk thistle, dandelion, willow bark or hemp can support the detoxifying organs and the immune system. Similarly, great importance should be placed on a balanced supply of the trace elements zinc, copper, manganese, and selenium. These are involved in various metabolic processes that can ultimately have a positive effect on skin and coat.
Skin care also plays a crucial role for an Icelandic horse with sweet itch. If the itchy areas are not adequately cared for, the horse will attempt find relief itself and may scratch the affected body parts until they bleed. Moisturising, anti-itch and anti-inflammatory oils and ointments are therefore recommended.
In our online shop, you can purchase feed, supplements and care products for Icelandic horses with sweet itch. We offer various vitamin and mineral supplements and herbal blends to support and boost their compromised immune systems. Sweet itch oils and lotions can assist in intensive skin care for your Icelandic horse, providing them with relief.

What is the best treatment for my Icelandic horse with sweet itch?

There may not be a singular best treatment for sweet itch. If you are caring for an Icelandic with sweet itch, you'll need to find out the best individual care. Not every product helps for every horse. Nevertheless, cleanliness and supplying sufficient moisture to heavily affected areas is essential. Regular cleaning and treatment with sweet itch shampoos, lotions and oils is the order of the day to alleviate itching and prevent bloody chafing.
Above all, cast a critical eye on the ingredients. A good sweet itch care product should, among other things, be free from artificial colours and fragrances, so that the body's largest organ - the skin - comes into contact with as few harmful substances as possible. The body would need to rid itself of these, which strains the liver and could in turn worsen its condition.
In our online shop you'll find a wide range of care products for sweet itch. With our shampoos, lotions and tonics, you can develop a complete care routine from cleansing to treating open wounds. Our selection of sweet itch care products is complemented by skincare products, which you can find in their respective category.

What should be considered when feeding a horse with sweet itch?

A diet tailored to the needs of the Icelandic horse should be meticulously examined in cases of sweet itch. This is because sweet itch causes the liver's metabolism to become overwhelmed and unbalanced.
If the horse were to be additionally overfed with energy and individual nutrients, its metabolism could no longer cope with the extra workload, leading to a worsening of symptoms. Therefore, the following is important when feeding an Icelandic horse with sweet itch:

• Energy supply appropriate to the animal's workload; avoid overfeeding
• Ensure sufficient supply of trace elements, especially zinc
• Support organs involved in detoxification, such as the liver
• Avoid additives such as preservatives, flavourings and binding agents
• Exclusively use high-quality feed

All measures should be coordinated with and monitored by a veterinarian!
An Icelandic horse with sweet itch is highly likely to have elevated liver values, which affects the skin condition. Strengthen and relieve the liver with bitter herbs such as milk thistle, willow bark, black cumin or dandelion. And avoid giving your horse synthetic substances that negatively affect the liver.
The provision of sufficient quantities of high-quality and readily available zinc is also important for skin health. Bear in mind that a holistic approach to nutrient supply is essential, which involves carefully examining the entire feed ration. For detailed information on how trace elements complement or counteract each other, refer to our comprehensive guide on horse feed.