The best way of treating Sweet Itch is by moving the horse away from midges. It may be enough to keep the horse stabled with midge screens in the morning and evening when midges are around most. Alternatively you may have to move your grazing away from marshy, midgy land.

Other forms of treatment are fly repellents ’ sprays or feed supplements.

In severe cases vets may decide to use steroids to soothe itchy skin. In very severe cases rugs are needed that almost completely stop midges biting your horse. Such approaches can be combined with commonly available food supplements which promote normal skin condition. There is some talk of vaccines for sweet itch but the horse’s immune system like ours is fragile and such medicines may do more harm than good as with flu vaccines.

Homeopathy is one approach to Sweet Itch that can be very successful. A real response needs direct supervision from a homeopath rather than ad hoc use of Culicoides type formulae.