Summer eczema in horses: it is often not the midge, but the immune system that is the problem
Summer eczema, also known as tail and mane eczema, is often mentioned in the same breath as midges: tiny biting flies that are mainly active at dusk. Many horse lovers believe these insects are the culprits. But is that really the case? In reality, midges are merely the trigger, not the cause. The real cause lies deeper: in the horse’s gut flora and immune system
Mosquitoes: a trigger, not a cause
Gnats are certainly a nuisance. They suck blood and trigger an allergic reaction in some horses. But not every horse develops summer eczema after a gnat bite. And that is precisely the proof that gnats are not the cause, but a trigger. One horse reacts severely, whilst another barely reacts at all. That difference lies within: in how the immune system responds.
The role of the immune system
Summer eczema is an exaggerated immune response to the saliva of midges. A horse with a strong and well-regulated immune system will show little or no reaction to this. However, if the immune system is out of balance, the horse will react severely — resulting in extreme itching, rubbing, bald patches and inflammation.
Gut flora: the hidden regulatory system
A horse’s gut is not only important for digestion, but also for the immune system. Approximately 70% of the immune system is located in the gut wall. An imbalance in the gut flora, caused for example by an inappropriate diet, stress, antibiotics or toxins, can disrupt the immune system. The result is a horse that reacts hypersensitively to external stimuli — such as a midge bite.
Nutrition as the key
The foundation of a healthy gut flora lies in diet. A low-sugar diet, sufficient fibre and regular bowel movements are essential. Herbs can help to support the body; examples include:
Herbal blend: a summer approach to dealing with the summer itch
Protect from the outside, tackle the problem from the inside
Using fly rugs, sprays and ointments is a good way to reduce the irritation caused by midges. But you’ll only see a real improvement if you tackle the problem from the inside out. That means:
Restoring gut flora
Restoring balance to the immune system
Supporting the liver and skin
Conclusion
Gnat bites are the last straw, not the whole story. A horse that develops summer eczema usually already has a compromised immune system. Simply keeping the gnats at bay is merely treating the symptoms. The real solution starts from within — in the gut.
Paardenkriebels.nl has put together a natural “summer care” range that supports horses with summer skin sensitivities in a number of ways – both from the inside and the outside.
This is the most common cause, but there are certainly others as well. Every horse is unique🤗
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