Why does my horse have scabs on its neck and chest after fly bites? | arlo.® Atlas

Read time: 3 minutes

Overview

Scabs on the neck and chest after fly bites are often caused by the horse reacting to irritation, scratching at the area, or rubbing on something in the field or stable. In many cases it’s a mild skin response, but there are a few different possibilities, so it’s worth checking the pattern and how the skin looks.

Things To Check

1. Check whether the scabs appear after turnout, exercise, grooming or time near other horses, as this can give a clue to what’s setting the skin off.

2. Look closely at the area for redness, swelling, broken skin, discharge, crusting or heat.

3. Feel whether the horse is itchy or sensitive when you touch the neck and chest.

4. Check if the horse has been rubbing on fences, stable walls, rugs or feed barriers.

5. Look for flies, midges or signs that bites are happening in the same places each day.

6. Check rugs, neck covers and tack for rubbing, dirt or dampness that might be irritating the skin.

7. See whether any other areas are affected, such as the mane, belly, tail head or face.

Common Causes

The most common reason is a bite that becomes irritated because the horse scratches or rubs it. That can leave small scabs, especially on areas flies can reach easily.

Some horses are simply more sensitive to fly bites than others and may develop a stronger local skin reaction, with small crusts or scabs after the initial bite.

Rubbing from rugs, tack or repeated contact with surfaces can also turn a small bite into a sore patch that scabs over.

Less commonly, a skin infection or another skin condition may be adding to the irritation, especially if the area becomes warm, very sore, smelly or starts to discharge.

What To Do

Keep an eye on the area for a few days and note whether the scabs are spreading, getting wetter or appearing in new places. A simple photo can help you compare changes.

Gently check the skin during grooming and keep the area clean and dry. If the horse is rubbing hard, try to work out what’s triggering it, such as flies, tack, rugs or a rough surface in the stable or field.

Reduce fly exposure as much as you reasonably can, especially around turnout times when insects are most active. If the horse has a known tendency to react to bites, a steady summer routine can make the skin easier to manage.

If the scabs are small and the horse otherwise seems well, it’s often reasonable to monitor first. If things are getting worse rather than settling, get veterinary advice.

Products That May Help

A summer fly-care routine can be useful when you’re trying to reduce irritation from biting insects and keep the coat and skin easier to manage.

Horse Fly Sprays & Summer Care

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