Master itching? Here’s how nutrition helps tackle summer itch!

Introduction

Do you see your horse struggling with that pesky itch as well? It’s heartbreaking to watch them itch and feel uncomfortable. Whether it’s summer itching or other causes, itching can be a real agony. While nutrition cannot eliminate all causes of itching, a balanced diet plays a crucial role in reducing symptoms. In this article, we dive into the different forms of itching and explain how the right food choices can help you break the vicious cycle of itching and irritation, support your horse’s skin and balance the immune system. Because a healthy foundation is what Florian Horsefood is all about!

Summer itch explained: what is it and how is it different from other forms of itching?

Summer itch, also known as summer eczema, is a seasonal condition that occurs mainly in the warmer months. It is caused by an allergic reaction to the bites of certain insects, particularly midges. The saliva of these insects contains substances to which some horses are hypersensitive. This leads to a severe immune reaction resulting in intense itching.

It is important to distinguish summer itching from other forms of itching in horses. Indeed, itching can also be caused by such things as:

• Insect bites: In addition to midges, other insect bites can also cause itching. Consider mosquitoes, gnats, and some stable flies.
• Fungal infections: ringworm is a common fungal infection that can cause itching and bald patches.
• Mite infections: mites can burrow into the skin and cause intense itching, especially at the legs (mug) and base of the tail.
• Lice: lice are small insects that feed on blood and skin cells. They cause itching and irritation, especially in the winter months.
• Allergies: in addition to the allergy to midge bites, horses can also be allergic to such things as pollen, dust mites or certain foods.

Thus, unlike these other causes, summer itching is specifically seasonal and related to the presence of midges. Although diet can play a role in reducing the symptoms of summer itching, it is important to also rule out other causes of itching and treat them if necessary.

Why more itching in spring and summer? The role of sugars and fructans

Even horses that do not have summer itch may experience increased itching in the spring and summer. A major cause of this is the change in food supply. In the spring, the grass begins to grow, and this young grass is often high in sugars and fructans.

Fructans are complex carbohydrates that cannot be properly digested by the horse in the small intestine. They end up in the large intestine, where they are fermented by bacteria. This fermentation process can lead to a disruption of the intestinal flora and the production of lactic acid. A disruption of the intestinal flora can lead to an overreaction of the immune system.

In addition, excess sugars and fast carbohydrates can promote inflammation, which can exacerbate itching. Thus, it is important to monitor sugar and fructan intake in spring and summer even in horses without summer itching. Good forage, limited grazing and possibly a supplement to support gut flora can help reduce itching.

The relationship between hypersensitivity, immune system and summer itching

Summer itch is actually an exaggerated immune system response to the saliva of certain insects, often midges. Your horse’s body sees this saliva as a threat and activates a cascade of immune responses. These reactions cause the familiar symptoms: itching, skin irritation, scaling and sometimes even hair loss.

But what does this have to do with nutrition? Simple: immune system health is greatly affected by the nutrition your horse ingests. A deficiency of certain nutrients or an imbalance in gut flora can unbalance the immune system, making your horse more susceptible to overreactions.

Nutrition as a building block for a resilient immune system

A healthy immune system needs the right building blocks to function optimally. Consider:

• Adequate vitamins and minerals: especially vitamin E, selenium, copper and zinc play an important role in immune function. A healthy balancer or our primal chunks Icelandic Impact and Friesian Impact are ideally suited for this purpose.
• Omega-3 fatty acids: these fatty acids have anti-inflammatory effects and may help reduce the hypersensitivity reaction.
• Prebiotics: a healthy intestinal flora is essential for a well-functioning immune system. Prebiotics feed the good bacteria in the intestines, which in turn support your horse’s immune system. Florian’ s roughage mixes and gastro-mashes have a perfect prebiotic effect. They thus support not only proper digestion, but also the proper functioning of the immune system.
• Antioxidants: these substances protect cells from damage by free radicals, which are released during inflammatory reactions. Again, healthy ingredients form the basis, as in our ViMi Care or even in Optiflor or Duval Metabolic Support.

It is important to realize that an excess of certain nutrients can also backfire. For example, an excess of sugars and fast carbohydrates can promote inflammation and unbalance gut flora.

Practical feeding tips for horses with summer itch

So what specifically can you do to adjust your horse’s diet? Here are a few practical tips:

1. Quality over quantity: choose high-quality roughage with a varied composition. Mixed forage is ideal.
2. Limit sugars and quick carbohydrates: avoid wheat, molasses and sugar and starchy products.
3. Add omega-3 fatty acids: flaxseed (oil) is good sources of omega-3 fatty acids. That’s why we incorporate them in our roughage mixes and in many of our primal chunks and support mixes.
4. Support gut flora: consider a prebiotic supplement to balance gut flora, such as Optiflor or Duval Multidigestiv or Duval Chlorella.
5. Get enough vitamins and minerals: a good balancer can help make up for any deficiencies.
6. Offer seasonal support: adjust the diet according to the season. During the period when itching is most intense, your horse can use extra support in the form of an antioxidant supplement, for example.

Practical tips for management around horses with summer itch

In addition to proper nutrition, there are a number of other measures you can take to help your horse with summer itching:

1. Protection from insect bites: this is the most important step! Use a fly rug that covers most of the body, including the belly and base of the tail. Coat your horse regularly with insect repellent.
2. Stable management: stable your horse during dusk and night, when the midges are most active. Use screen netting for windows and doors to keep the insects out.
3. Pasture management: avoid pastures near standing water, where midges like to breed. Provide adequate shelter in the pasture so your horse can take shelter from the sun and insects.
4. Skin care: Use a soothing and restorative cream to moisturize and protect the skin, such as Doderm Hydro Repair Gel

Myths debunked

There are many misconceptions about diet and itching. A common myth is that itching is completely curable with a special diet. Unfortunately, this is not true. Nutrition can significantly reduce symptoms, but it is not a panacea. It is important to take a holistic approach, also looking at other factors, such as your horse’s environment and preventive measures. It is advisable to always work in consultation with a veterinarian or nutritionist to create an optimal plan for your horse.

Conclusion

Itching is an annoying problem that can cause a lot of discomfort in horses. Whether it’s summer itch or other causes, nutrition plays a crucial role in reducing symptoms and supporting your horse’s overall health. By choosing a balanced diet rich in essential nutrients and low in sugars and fast carbohydrates, you can strengthen your horse’s immune system and reduce hypersensitivity reactions. Remember that a healthy gut flora is essential. With the right nutrition and a holistic approach, your horse can get through the summer comfortably again!

Want to optimize your horse’s nutrition to support itching? Then check out our ViMi-Care, Duval Metabolic Support and Doderm products! These products are specially formulated to meet the specific needs of horses with sensitive skin and an overactive immune system.

Do you have questions about your horse’s nutrition and itching? Or do you have any tips of your own you’d like to share? Then let us know via our advice app! We enjoy hearing from you and engaging in conversation. For personal advice, you can always contact us via the website or by phone. Together we’ll ensure a comfortable summer for your horse!