Does your horse itch and scratch constantly? Is the coat dull, dry or flaking with areas of scabs or crusts? If this sounds familiar for your horse, it’s likely that you’ve experienced one of the two most common skin conditions in horses, Rain Rot or Sweet Itch. These conditions are known by many names, such as summer itch, girth itch and Queensland itch. Horse owners are constantly searching for the best ways to keep their horse’s skin and coat as healthy as possible. Treating the underlying cause of Rain Rot (an infectious condition) and Sweet Itch (an insect bite allergy) is important but there are many ways to go about it.

No matter what skin condition your horse has, red or irritated skin, scabs and crusts are uncomfortable, visually displeasing and sometimes quite difficult to resolve. Many topical preparations, prescribed medications and home remedies are available for these conditions. Considering natural alternatives for treatment can be extremely effective for these conditions.

When it comes to Rain Rot, the organism that causes this condition is infectious and it is a major environmental contaminant. It only takes a single scratching post to ensure that all horses in the area contract this nuisance condition.

Sweet Itch is also a product of its environment as it is caused by a hypersensitivity or allergy to insect bites. Experts will recommend strict hygiene practices for all barns to reduce the number of insects and prevent spread of Sweet Itch from horse to horse.

Luckily Rain Rot and Sweet Itch are treatable. Good grooming practices and products to enrich the quality of the skin and coat are helpful. Antiseptics or medicated baths are often utilized to help clear the scabs or crusts and eliminate the organism that causes Rain Rot. While Rain Rot is not often a cause of severe itching, the scabs and crusts can cause local skin irritation and inflammation. This secondary inflammation is responsible for the itching or irritation associated with Rain Rot. Sweet Itch is responsible for major itching and irritation for horses. When horses are allergic to something, the body responds inappropriately and the itching often spreads and worsens with each scratch.

Many over-the-counter medications proposed to treat Sweet Itch or Rain Rot contain antiseptics, chemical compounds and often steroids to reduce inflammation. Despite the fact that you can purchase these products over-the-counter, there are definite concerns for prolonged or repeat use. It is often suggested to utilize insecticides to prevent Sweet Itch and keep the biting insects at bay, however the side effects of these chemical compounds are poorly understand and may represent an unnecessary risk for horses.

All natural compounds can be just as effective for soothing itchy skin, relieving inflammation, promoting a healthy skin and coat, repelling insects and eliminating infection. Looking for a natural remedy replacement is one way to protect your horse while providing the much needed relief from the itching and scratching that comes with Rain Rot or Sweet Itch. Ingredients such as lavender, eucalyptus and tea tree essential oils are often key to the natural treatment of these common skin conditions in the horse.