What is making your horse itchy?
There are lots of reason why horses itch and scratch. This can be upsetting for all concerned, as the horse is distressed and sometimes beside themselves and desperate to scratch on anything. We can feel helpless as many of our efforts are futile. Diet can be a factor, whether the cause in an inherited condition or a reaction to certain feeds. Inherited conditions, such as sweet itch, mallenders and sallenders, for instance, will never go away, but can be less impactful with adjustments to diet and management.
Itchiness can be due to environmental factors such as pollen, pollutants or even laundry or grooming products. Hives, which are surface swellings which can affect some or even all the horse, can also be a reaction to something eaten and are often quite transient, but certainly a worry at the time.
Allergens, which are substances which cause a reaction, can be tricky to identify but some are more likely culprits – wheat, soya, ryegrass and peas come into this category. Their by-products, such as straw, bran, wheatfeed or hulls, should thus also be avoided.
First off, you need to identify what the problem is. Your vet may be helpful in getting a diagnosis and this will help you plan how best to support the horse. It can be very beneficial to have as near a hypoallergenic diet as possible, so as not to overload the horse’s system with feeds that could exacerbate the condition. Here at Simple System, we have done extensive research and trials, which includes listening to people and taking note of their experiences with their own horses. The result is MalleMash which has become a customer favourite for horses with a wide range of skin issues, many of which manifest as itchiness.
Each ingredient is present in effective amounts for a positive, beneficial function. The feed is based on Timothy, a palatable grass which very rarely causes any adverse reaction. Also included is cooked, ground linseed. It’s high in essential omega 3, the anti-inflammatory omega. Linseed is reputed to be soothing, help keep the skin supple and coat glossy from within. Seaweed is a natural source of vitamins and minerals. This also helps to keep the skin and hair strong, so they will be less liable to damage when the horse scratches. Beet pulp is a good source of soluble fibre and also balances calcium. Finally, salt helps balance electrolytes and also increases palatability. The feed is a meal which soaks up instantly with water to make a tasty mash.
Should the horse require additional nutrition, for work for instance, anything else added needs to be compatible and also unlikely to cause a reaction. Suitable feeds are Blue Bag Grass Pellets which are pure Timothy grass, and Sainfoin Pellets. For those that require a chop to aid saliva production, or to slow eating rate, Timothy Chop (low energy / calorie) and Sainfoin & Shine (medium energy / calorie) both complement MalleMash for itchy horses.
For feeding suggestions for any horse or pony, please contact the Simple System Feed Line by phone on 01728 604 008, or by completing our advice request form here.