Sweet Itch Gear for Icelandic Horses

Which sweet itch rugs are suitable for Icelandic horses?

Icelandic horses are among the breeds most commonly affected by sweet itch. In particular, those imported from Iceland exhibit early symptoms of this itchy skin condition shortly after their arrival. The cause appears to be a combination of metabolism, feeding, genetics and consequently an overreaction to insect bites. You can find out more about why sweet itch seems so prevalent in this breed in our guide here.
Unfortunately, sweet itch is not curable - you can only treat the symptoms and reduce the itching. The best protection is to shield the horse completely from insect bites. This works best with a sweet itch rug. This covers the horse from the ears to the tail, as well as the belly and genital area. Once the Icelandic horse is affected, it may have to wear its sweet itch rug around the clock. Therefore, when buying a suitable sweet itch rug, pay attention to the following properties:

• Elasticated and breathable functional material provides a comfortable feeling.
• Size-adjustable chest fastener for an optimal fit.
• Fleece padding at the withers and chest prevents chafing.
• A generous elasticated belly flap keeps insects away from an exposed belly seam.
• Optionally, (detachable) genital and udder protection to safeguard hairless areas.
• Tabs for attaching an sweet itch mask.

Which rug is suitable for horses with rain scald?

While sweet itch is not curable and a horse must live with it permanently, rain scald is different. It is not caused by a metabolic imbalance but instead by cold, wet weather and long (unmaintained) coats. Horses in Iceland or Ireland are particularly affected by this. A horse affected by rain scald develops a fever, which is accompanied by severe pain and hair loss. Furthermore, the horse's behaviour changes, with the horse becoming increasingly nervous and unbalanced. A vet must be called at the first signs! Rain scald is a temporary condition and can be treated.
To prevent moisture from lingering in the long coat in the first place, the horse should be kept dry or have the opportunity to dry off after a rain shower. In addition to suitable shelter, a waterproof turnout rug with fleece lining is recommended. This protects the horse from external dampness and wicks away moisture that comes from the body. This deprives bacteria of their breeding ground, which is the ultimate cause of rain scald. If the horse has been standing outside without a rug during a cold rain shower, it should be rugged with an moisture-wicking fleece rug to draw the moisture out of its coat. Fleece rugs for Icelandic horses can be found in our Icelandic rugs category.
If the horse is in training or develops a very thick winter coat, clipping is advisable. Many Icelandic horse owners need to clip their horses, as the winter temperatures in our latitudes are too mild for these cold-adapted animals. As a result, they sweat even when temperatures drop, while the long coat dries slowly. Clipping the neck and chest alone can provide great relief for the horse. You can find suitable clipping patterns in our guide and clippers in our online shop.