It can be very worrying when your horse starts scratching for no apparent reason. Why is my horse scratching is a question that has many answers. As always it is important to find out the root cause rather than just treating the symptoms.
Your horse may start scratching or itching for several reasons. Some are easier to treat than others. Scratching can be caused by worms, lice, or other pests, or by long-term sensitivity such as sweet-itch. Occasionally scratching or stomping can be a sign of psychological distress. The exact cause will determine the treatment required.
This article will look at the most common reasons for a horse to be scratching and some of the ways to treat the itch. An itchy horse is an uncomfortable horse, so swift treatment is necessary before an itch turns in to sores. Read on to discover reasons and their treatment.
Why is my horse so itchy?
Horses all get itchy now and again, but if you’re wondering why is my horse so itchy on a regular basis then it may be time to look a bit more closely to your horse’s behaviour.
What do I do?
- Check your horse all over to make sure that there are no sores or broken skin
- Watch your horse and make a note of when the scratching happens
- is it after a ride
- is the itch always in the same place on the horse
- does your horse only itch in the stable or when turned out too?
- how often is the horse scratching
- Check any rugs are clean
If you notice any sores or broken skin then treat with a soothing antiseptic cream or spray and make sure that these areas are not being rubbed further by rugs.
If your horse only itches after being ridden then make sure your tack is clean and well-fitting as the itching could be caused by rubbing. If your horse sweats a lot then think about clipping to make it easier for the horse to cool off and reduce the chance of itchiness occurring in the first place.
If your horse is only itching its feet, then take a closer look and try using a medicated wash to see if this improves things. If the itching doesn’t stop then it may be time to ask your vet to take a skin sample to rule of the chances of mites. If the itching is all over, then lice may be to blame. The vet can give you a firm answer and provide medicated washes to use to improve your horse’s comfort and health.
Itching in the stable?
When the itching only occurs in the stable then a complete clean out is needed. Remove all of the bedding and disinfect the stable thoroughly. Make sure that you also disinfect any grooming tools, stable and yard tools, and washing the rugs to remove any unwanted guests.
Horses can also become itchy from worms; pin worms especially can cause a horse to rub it’s behind on anything and everything available.
Sensitivity to sunlight or pollen or midge bites can also bring about itchiness. For this reason, horses with photosensitivity and/or sweet-itch are often fully rugged even in the height of summer.
Although not as common as the above causes, psychological issues can cause a horse to scratch, even if there is no discernible reason for them to be itching. Stress, boredom, and loneliness are all triggers that can cause a horse to scratch. If any of these are the reason behind your horse scratching it is best to resolve the issues as soon as possible so that it doesn’t become a habit that remains once the triggers have been removed.
Horse scratching all the time
We all get an itch sometimes, and there’s nothing better than a quick scratch to get rid of it. But if your horse is scratching all the time there may be something more serious that needs investigation.
If your horse is scratching all the time there could be several reasons. Look at the following list and see if any of them are a possibility for your horse:
- Sweet-itch – caused by sensitivity to midge bites – Sweet-itch can be managed (there is no cure) by using fly rugs, or special sweet-itch rugs that cover almost the entire horse so that the midges can’t get to the horse to bite
- Photosensitivity – caused by sensitivity to the sun – Rugs and masks can be used to keep out the sun’s rays
- Lice or mites – this can be diagnosed by your vet – lice powder & insecticidal washes can work, but anything that the horse comes into contact with needs to be cleaned too or the egg/lice cycle will continue
- Boredom – Is your horse under-stimulated – Can you take your horse out more? A stable toy or treat ball in the field could be all that’s needed to keep your horses mind busy
- Worms – Have you tested/treated for worms recently – pin worms will often cause a horse to rub out their tail. Worm with the correct wormer and dosage to remove the worms
- Food sensitivity – Has your horse’s diet changed recently – even if it hasn’t your horse may have become sensitised to any one of the ingredients. Remember to alter feeds slowly, removing one ingredient at a time will allow you to determine the cause
Sometimes with horses you need to become a detective to find out what’s wrong. Continual scratching can be very worrying but there is often a simple cause.
Best treatment for scratching in horses
The best treatment for scratching in horses will be determined by the cause of the scratching. If it’s sweet-itch then bar rugging there is little that can be done as the sensitivity to midge bites has no cure as yet. You may find that adding garlic and other herbs to you horse’s feed makes them less of a target though. You can also try stabling during the day and only turning out at night when the midges are less active.
For many owners, a couple of baths of insecticidal shampoo will often do the trick to stop a horse itching. For others, where the itching is caused by stress, a friend at turnout will stop the itching in its track.
Hay balls and treat balls can alleviate boredom in the field and leave less time for the horse to think about other ways of entertaining himself. In the stable, hanging up a swede or popping a lick in the stable may also help, as could mirrors if anxiety is the root cause of the itching. Some owners even leave a radio playing whilst their horse is stabled so that they feel like they have company.
Why is my horse’s skin flaky
Especially with native breeds ‘why is my horse’s skin flaky’ is a question that is asked quite often. There are normally quite simple reasons behind it, and simple ways to treat flaky skin. Below are the most common:
- Feed – check that your horse is receiving all the nutrients and minerals they need, especially if you are not feeding the manufacturers recommended amounts of feed. Cold pressed flax seed oil has been recommended for coat health (source 1)
- Grooming – if you don’t brush your hair as often or as thoroughly as you should then you may notice dandruff, the same is true of your horse
- Location – if the flaky skin is only in one area make sure your tack isn’t rubbing. If it’s behind the knees and the skin is becoming thicker here, then your horse may be suffering from mallanders/sallanders. Asking a vet for confirmation and advice is your best option to manage this condition
- Water intake – Dehydration can cause flaky skin. Check to make sure that your horse is drinking enough and use a salt lick to encourage more water intake. Dampening any meals more than usual will also help
Whilst you work out what the root cause of the itchiness is you could try massaging coconut oil into the coat – this is best done when you can either rug or separate your horse from others, they may like the taste of the oil too much!
Horse rubbing his tail….how to stop it!
If a horse backs up to objects regularly to rub his tail he may have pin worms. So, horse rubbing his tail…how to stop it? Firstly, confirm with your vet or professional worming lab that this is the cause. It can be easily treated with the right medication/wormer. Be aware though that whilst pin worms don’t cause internal damage if you leave them your horse can end up rubbing so badly that they end up with open wounds on their tail that are far harder to treat than simply acting at the correct time. This is on top of the damage that a 600kg horse can inflict on gateposts, stable walls, and fences.
Conclusion
There are many reasons that your horse could be scratching, and the answer my not be obvious without some detective work. Most causes are relatively simple to treat, rugs will help with sensitivity and sweet-itch. A diet change will alleviate food intolerances, whilst medication will help for medical causes such as lice, mites, and worms. Boredom and stress related itching is more difficult but can still be reduced and managed with a little imagination and knowledge of your horse.
