Why is my horse biting at its sides and belly in fly season?

Read time: 3 minutes

Overview

If your horse is biting at its sides and belly in fly season, the most common reason is irritation from flies or midges. Sweet itch is also a common possibility, especially if the itching is worse in summer, after turnout, or around the mane, tail, belly and underside.

There can be several causes, so it’s worth checking the pattern of the itching and looking for any skin changes. You may be able to narrow it down to fly annoyance, rubbing, sweat, or a skin reaction, but you can’t confirm the cause with certainty just by looking.

Things To Check

1. Notice when the biting starts. If it happens mainly after turnout, in the evening, or on warm still days, flies or midges are more likely to be involved.

2. Check the skin along the belly, sides, girth area, dock, mane and tail for redness, small scabs, broken skin or thickened patches.

3. Look at whether your horse is stamping, tail swishing, rubbing on fences or posts, or becoming more restless than usual.

4. Consider whether sweat, mud, clipped coat regrowth, or a new rug, saddle pad or grooming routine might be adding to the irritation.

5. Check for flies or midges gathering around the body, especially if the horse is turned out near standing water, long grass or muck heaps.

6. Notice whether the problem is seasonal and returns each year, which can fit with fly sensitivity or sweet itch patterns.

7. Make sure the horse is comfortable when handled. Sensitivity around the belly or sides can sometimes show up as girthiness or evasion during grooming.

Common Causes

Fly irritation is the most common reason. Even a fairly small number of biting insects can make a horse tuck, bite, rub or stamp in an effort to shift them.

Sweet itch is another common cause in fly season. Horses with sweet itch are often bothered by midge bites and may rub, bite or scratch repeatedly, sometimes leading to hair loss or sore skin.

Skin irritation from sweat, damp bedding, mud, friction or an uncomfortable rug or saddle area can also make the sides and belly itchy.

Less commonly, hives, dermatitis or another skin issue may be contributing, especially if the irritation seems to appear suddenly or the skin looks very changed.

What To Do

Keep a simple note of when the biting happens, where it is worst and whether there are visible skin changes. That can help you spot a pattern over a few days.

Reduce exposure to flies where you can by managing turnout times, using shelter, keeping the horse away from obvious fly hotspots and maintaining a clean stable or yard area.

Check the skin daily and keep the coat, rugging and grooming routine as comfortable as possible. If the horse is already rubbing, try to avoid anything that makes the skin hotter, wetter or more irritated.

If the issue seems to be building through the season, it’s sensible to speak with your vet for advice on whether sweet itch or another skin problem may be involved, especially if the horse is starting to lose hair or damage the skin.

Products That May Help

For horses that are being bothered by flies or summer irritation, this collection may be useful as part of a sensible seasonal care routine.

Horse Fly Sprays & Summer Care

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