A horse that scratches, a veterinarian who investigates: understanding and treating equine dermatitis

A stable at the end of the day. A worried owner waits for the vet outside his horse's stall. The animal is frantically scratching itself against the walls.

Owner : Thank you for coming so quickly. My horse is in terrible pain. He's constantly scratching himself, he's lost a large part of his mane, and he has sores all over. I'm afraid he'll get an infection.

Veterinarian: No problem, I'll examine everything. How long has he had these symptoms?

Owner : It's been like this since the beginning of spring, but now with the return of the heat, it's become unbearable. He scratches himself until he bleeds.

Veterinarian: I see... Is he rubbing himself particularly in certain areas?

Owner : Yes, especially the mane and the base of the tail. And even the flanks. I've tried several products for summer dermatitis, but nothing really works.

Veterinarian: This is typical of equine summer dermatitis, also called mane dermatitis or midge bite allergy dermatitis. Contrary to popular belief, it's not solely a reaction to Culicoides midges. In fact, the dermatitis often appears when the horse's immune system is weakened, particularly in the spring. Its body has to adapt to a change in diet, and this metabolic stress promotes itching, a skin irritation. Midges then bite on top of this irritation, worsening the inflammation.

Owner : But I put on a mask, an insect repellent cover... Why is he reacting so badly?

Veterinarian: Not all horses are equally sensitive to this. Some will just experience some itching, while others, like yours, will mutilate themselves trying to relieve the pain. And physical barriers like blankets aren't always enough.

Owner : I've heard about corticosteroid treatments. Are they effective?

Veterinarian: Yes, but it's not without risks. In the long term, they can weaken the immune system and cause other problems. Fortunately, there are more natural alternatives.

Owner : Oh really? Like what?

Veterinarian: A treatment based on ozonated oil. This is a natural product for equine dermatitis that helps calm inflammation, accelerate wound healing, and, most importantly, reduce the microbial load on the skin. Ozone has powerful antiseptic properties, which prevents secondary infections caused by intense scratching.

Owner : And does it actually work?

Veterinarian: Yes, and without the side effects of corticosteroids. With regular application, ozonated oil soothes the skin, helps rebuild the protective skin barrier, and reduces inflammation. It's a real solution for treating equine dermatitis without harming the horse's system.

Owner : Do you think my horse can still grow a beautiful mane?

Veterinarian: With time and the right treatment, yes. Ideally, you should start right away and adopt a preventative protocol for the coming seasons.

Owner : I'll try then. Will you leave me a prescription?

Veterinarian: I will mainly give you a protocol to follow with the ozonated oil and some management tips to limit your horse's exposure to midges.