What should I check if my horse is rubbing raw patches in summer?

Read time: 3 minutes

Overview

If your horse is rubbing raw patches in summer, the first things to check are flies and midges, along with any obvious skin irritation, tack rubs or changes in turnout and grooming routine. Summer rubbing is often linked to insect irritation, but there can be more than one cause, so it’s worth looking closely at the pattern and the skin itself.

Things To Check

1. Check whether the rubbing starts after turnout, at dawn or dusk, after exercise, or when flies seem worse.

2. Look closely at the affected areas for redness, broken skin, scabs, crusting, heat, swelling or damp patches.

3. Check the mane, tail, face, belly, sheath or udder, and any areas where flies commonly settle.

4. Think about whether recent tack, rugs or boots could be rubbing the same place repeatedly.

5. Check for signs of itching elsewhere, such as tail swishing, stamping, head shaking or rubbing on fences and stable walls.

6. Review grooming and washing routines, especially if the skin has been washed more often than usual or left damp.

7. Check whether the field, stable or bedding has changed in a way that may be making fly pressure or skin irritation worse.

Common Causes

The most common cause in summer is irritation from flies and midges, especially if the horse is rubbing the mane, tail, belly or face. Some horses are simply more sensitive to insect bites than others.

Skin irritation from sweat, mud, pollen, grooming friction or repeated rubbing can also lead to sore patches. Tack, rugs or boots that sit badly may cause local wear in the same spot.

Less commonly, there may be an underlying skin condition or a reaction to something in the environment. If the skin is getting worse rather than settling, it’s sensible to keep an open mind about the cause.

What To Do

Start by keeping the affected area clean, dry and easy to monitor. If the skin is only lightly irritated, gentle grooming around the area may help you see whether the rubbing is getting better or worse.

Try to reduce obvious fly exposure where you can, especially at peak biting times. It can also help to review turnout times, stable management, rug fit and the fit of any tack or training gear that touches the area.

Avoid putting pressure or friction on already sore skin, and don’t keep using anything that seems to make the rubbing worse. If the patch is raw, keep a close eye on it over the next few days so you can spot any change early.

If the skin becomes increasingly sore, starts to ooze, or the horse seems much more uncomfortable, it’s a good idea to get veterinary advice.

Products That May Help

For horses that are prone to summer irritation, a fly-season collection can be useful as part of a wider management routine, alongside good skin checks and turnout adjustments.

Horse Fly Sprays & Summer Care

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