Why does my horse keep biting at its skin in fly season?

Read time: 3 minutes

Overview

If your horse is biting at its skin in fly season, flies and midges are one of the most common reasons. It’s often a sign of irritation rather than anything more serious, but there can be several possible causes, including insect bites, sweat, rubbing, sensitive skin or a condition such as sweet itch.

It helps to look at when the biting happens, where on the body it’s focused, and whether you can see skin changes. That gives you a much better idea of whether it’s likely to be a seasonal nuisance or something that needs a closer look.

Things To Check

1. Note whether the biting starts after turnout, during peak fly times, after exercise, or while the horse is in the stable.

2. Check the main areas being bitten, such as the belly, flanks, neck, mane, tail head, ears, legs or underside.

3. Look for redness, raised skin, scabs, broken skin, damp patches, swelling or signs of rubbing.

4. See whether the horse is stamping, tail swishing, head shaking, rolling more than usual or trying to scratch on fences and posts.

5. Check whether the coat is sweaty, dirty, greasy or tangled, as this can make skin feel more uncomfortable in warm weather.

6. Think about whether turnout, bedding, grooming routines or recent washing could be irritating the skin.

7. Look at whether other horses nearby are also being bothered by flies, which can point towards a seasonal insect issue.

Common Causes

The most common cause is fly and midge irritation. Horses often bite, twitch or rub at themselves when insects are biting or hovering around sensitive areas.

Sweet itch is another common possibility in fly season, especially if the biting is focused on the mane, tail head, rump or crest and the horse seems very itchy.

Sweat, dirt and a heavy coat can also make skin feel itchy or prickly, particularly after exercise or on warm days.

Rubbing from rugs, tack, field shelter fittings or fencing can lead to local irritation, and the horse may keep biting at the same spot.

Less commonly, there may be an underlying skin sensitivity or another skin problem that needs veterinary attention if it keeps happening or the skin is getting damaged.

What To Do

Start by reducing exposure where you can. Bringing turnout forward or changing turnout times may help on very fly-heavy days, and some horses cope better in the early morning or later evening.

Check rugs, straps, headcollars and tack for rubbing points, and keep an eye on field shelter corners, gates and fences where a horse might be scratching more than usual.

Keep the coat clean and comfortable with a sensible grooming routine, especially if sweat and dust are building up. If the skin looks sore, avoid overhandling the area.

Make a simple note of when the biting happens and which areas are affected. If it’s getting worse, spreading or leaving marks, that pattern is useful information to share with your vet.

Products That May Help

If your horse is especially bothered by flies and midges, a seasonal management approach can be useful alongside good stable, turnout and grooming routines.

Horse Fly Sprays & Summer Care

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