Sweet Itch Horse Rugs
Sweet Itch, or Summer Seasonal Recurrent Dermatitis (SSRD), is a problem that affects thousands of horses, ponies and donkeys in many countries of the world to a greater or lesser degree. Virtually all breeds and types of ponies and breeds can be affected, from tiny Shetland ponies to heavyweight draught horses, although the condition is rare in English Thoroughbreds. About 5% of the UK horse population are thought to suffer.
Symptoms include severe itching, hair loss, skin thickening and flaky dandruff. Weeping sores, sometimes with a yellow crust of dried serum may occur. Without attention sores can suffer secondary infection.
Having a good quality rug that covers the whole body and prevents the insects from getting to the skin can help with sweet itch.
