Easter Bank Holiday Opening Hours
Orders can be placed here on the Simple System website throughout the Easter break. Please note that our office, warehouse and delivery service will be closed on the following dates during Easter:
Feeding the itchy horse
23 November 2023
Itchiness can be caused by a variety of factors; some within our control such as those affected by diet or management and some beyond our control i.e. environmental factors such as the weather or pollens. Soaps, sprays and detergents can also irritate sensitive skin and some horses do appear a lot more sensitive than others!
Itchy cobs may have underlying conditions such as Mallenders or Chronic Progressive Lymphoedema (CPL) whilst native breeds can often be prone to conditions such as sweet-itch.
There is little scientific evidence for 'best practise' but it is usually important to keep sugar and starch levels low and remove common irritants such as cereals and their by-products, also soya, molasses and artificial additives or bulkers.
In very severe cases, we may suggest an exclusion diet: stripping back to a single forage type, such as Timothy grass or sainfoin, with some Instant Linseed to help reduce irritation. This should help the skin settle and recover before reintroducing a suitable Blend or Balancer. Traditional Brewers Yeast is often suggested as it reportedly makes the blood taste bitter which is off-putting to biting midges.
We have recently introduced MalleMash, a feed created specifically for equines prone to Mallenders, Sallenders, CPL and dry itchy skin.
If you would like to discuss your horse's diet our Feed Line nutrition team will be happy to help. Contact the team on 01728 604 008 or by completing our short online form.
If your horse itches themselves raw, you suspect an allergic reaction or they are becoming very agitated by their itchiness, you should always consult your vet.
Featured Products
Premium 6mm high fibre grass pellets, providing all the benefits of summer grass, all year round.
Premium high fibre quick-soaking Timothy grass for horses and ponies unable to eat hay.
Cooked full fat linseed, ready to feed. A valuable source of essential Omega 3.
A comprehensive high fibre mash, rich in omega 3 and natural vitamins and minerals. Provides dietary support for equines with dry or itchy skin.
Premium forage alternative to lucerne and grass, rich in natural minerals and trace elements.
A high fibre Timothy Grass chop. Harvested at a mature stage for naturally low sugars.
This natural source of B vitamins & amino acids is beneficial to all horses, particularly those with behavioural problems.
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