Anti-Itch Routines That Work

Itching in horses isn’t always caused by insects, especially when the horse scratches outside of the summer months or consistently tears its fly or dermatitis blanket.

The problem lies “beneath” or “within,” meaning the cause is related to the horse’s diet, emotional state, and physical condition. Insects only exacerbate the problem. So what can you do?

STEP 1: AVOID GETTING CAUGHT IN A VICIOUS CYCLE AT ALL COSTS

The priority is to prevent insect attacks by applying your fly repellent in a very specific way: using a glove and applying it against the grain of the hair on the main attack zones and areas prone to itching (mane, tail, etc.). This application method provides more effective and longer-lasting protection against bites (requiring less frequent use). Second requirement: use a water-free product, as water evaporates quickly and rapidly reduces the product’s effectiveness. Note that Derfly was designed exclusively for this purpose and according to these precise specifications.

STEP 2: IMMEDIATELY STOP THE FIRST SIGNS OF ITCHING

The first instances of scratching lead to more if not stopped immediately. Avoiding this cycle will make managing itching increasingly easier throughout the season. Just as with fly repellents, the product must be water-free and suitable for the horse’s skin. Indeed, a product that is too oily on thin skin will quickly clog it. Conversely, a product that is too “light” on thick skin will irritate the surface of the epidermis without allowing the soothing agents to penetrate deeply. As for water-based products, they tend to have a very limited duration of action (due to evaporation, but also because water penetrates less deeply compared to sebum, which requires fatty substances), forcing you to reapply several times a day (which is ultimately not economical but, more importantly, requires increased monitoring to maintain relief and prevent the itch cycle from worsening).

We highly recommend the Derfen range, specially designed for this purpose, with immediate results and no water required..

STEP 3: IT’S ALL HERE!

But a horse’s hypersensitivity is generally not innate. It is the result of three key factors that we tend to underestimate. And yet they are the key to this condition.

1/ ITS DIET: It must be tailored to its needs, of course (its activity level and age), but ABOVE ALL to its BREED and the possibility of grazing almost constantly

2/ ITS EMOTIONAL STATE: its life with other horses, its activity level, and any boredom: a horse that waits at the gate to the pasture, that is isolated from the herd, that is aggressive or, conversely, very withdrawn, that gets stressed by everything...

3/ ITS PHYSICAL CONDITION: pain, even if not noticeable (including dental issues).

These are not three separate factors, but rather the combination of all three that must be considered, as they are INTERCONNECTED: 

= A dietary imbalance (deficiencies, excesses, food unsuited to the BREED’S needs) will lead to physical pain that will impact its psychological state (its emotions). 

= An emotional problem will generate gastric and intestinal tension, which will affect the dog’s eating patterns and nutrient absorption.

= Physical pain will cause significant emotional stress, making the dog feel less comfortable—especially around other dogs—and will naturally impact its ability to digest food, particularly if the dog is on medication.

The skin is merely the external manifestation of these three sources of stress. Sensitivity arises when one of the three stressors is particularly severe and affects the other two. 

We try many things and use many supplements without ever really managing to find the perfect—and above all, lasting—solution. Topically soothing the itching is a necessary first step, a crucial palliative measure to prevent the vicious cycle, but it will never be sufficient if these three stressors are not alleviated or addressed, and the first one to consider is dietary stress and its adaptation to the needs of the BREED.