Why is my horse worse during spring and early summer?

Read time: 3 minutes

Overview

If your horse seems worse in spring and early summer, sweet itch is a common reason. This is often when biting insects become more active, so horses that are sensitive may start rubbing, stamping, swishing their tail or seeming restless.

That said, a seasonal flare-up isn't always just one thing. Changes in turnout, coat growth, sweating, grooming, and skin irritation can all make signs look worse at this time of year.

Things To Check

1. Notice when the signs are worst, such as at dawn and dusk, after turnout, or after exercise.

2. Look for rubbing, hair loss, broken skin, scabs, redness, or thickened areas along the mane, tail, face, belly or ears.

3. Check whether the problem is worse in fields with more flies or near wet, sheltered, or windy spots where insects gather.

4. See if your horse is sweating more than usual, because sweat and heat can make itching and irritation feel worse.

5. Review grooming and washing routines, as over-grooming or harsh products can sometimes irritate already sensitive skin.

6. Think about any recent changes in feed, bedding, turnout times, or rug use that could be affecting comfort.

7. Check whether other horses nearby are also struggling with flies, which can suggest the seasonal insect pressure is high.

Common Causes

The most common cause is sweet itch itself, which is usually linked to a reaction to biting insects and often becomes more noticeable as weather warms up.

Increased fly and midge activity in spring and early summer can make the skin more irritated, especially in horses that are already sensitive.

Heat, sweating and friction from rugs, tack or repeated rubbing may also make the problem look worse even when the original trigger is insect-related.

Less commonly, a separate skin irritation, allergy or infection can add to the discomfort, especially if the skin is broken or sore.

What To Do

Keep a simple note of when the signs are happening, where your horse is affected, and what seems to make it better or worse. That makes patterns much easier to spot.

Try to reduce exposure at the times insects are most active where practical, and keep turnout, stabling and grooming routines as consistent as you can.

Check the skin regularly so you can spot rubbing or broken areas early, and use gentle care if the skin is already sore.

If your horse has a known history of sweet itch, small changes in daily management often matter more than waiting for signs to settle on their own.

If the skin is becoming increasingly sore, if there are open areas, or if the problem is spreading beyond the usual seasonal pattern, it would be sensible to speak to your vet.

Products That May Help

Spring and early summer are often the hardest times for horses with sweet itch, so it can help to keep your seasonal management routine consistent and easy to follow.

Horse Fly Sprays & Summer Care

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