Sweet itch in horses

Sweet itch in horses: how to finally get on top of it with Michel Vaillant 🐴

Every summer, it's the same story. Your horse is rubbing his mane against the fence post, losing his coat in patches, and his comfort is in freefall. Recurrent sweet itch is the nightmare of many owners — and above all, of their horses. But the good news is: natural, effective, Made in France solutions do exist 🇫🇷

And let's be honest with you: no curative treatment is currently effective against the root cause. But with the right products, you can act effectively on the symptoms and give your horse a much more comfortable summer. At OHLALA, we have a clear soft spot for the Michel Vaillant range for exactly that reason 🧡

What exactly is sweet itch?

Recurrent equine summer eczema (sweet itch) is an allergy to midge bites — those tiny culicoides invisible to the naked eye that swarm from spring onwards, especially around water sources and in the evening.

Faced with these bites, some horses' immune systems go into overdrive. The result? Itching so intense that some horses scratch themselves to the point of bleeding, skin lesions, mane and coat loss. And the hardest part to accept: once your horse has developed the condition, it will unfortunately return every year when the warm season arrives.

The telltale signs 👀

• Repeated and frantic scratching, particularly around the mane, tail and back
• Hair and mane loss, sometimes in whole patches
• Irritated, red, crusty or broken skin
• Restless behaviour, especially in the late afternoon and evening

The golden rule? Act early — ideally as a preventive measure from the first warm days, before the first bites. And combine several topical treatments with a fly rug to physically keep insects away from the sensitive dermis. That's the winning combination.

Michel Vaillant: the brand that cares for your horse's skin 🌿

If you haven't yet discovered Michel Vaillant, here's what you need to know: it's a French brand with nearly 100 years of expertise in equine care, produced at their laboratory in Cluses, France. Their formulas combine natural actives, organic vegetable oils and carefully selected essential oils. Premium quality care, with genuine ethical standards, tested and approved by equestrian professionals. We're fully on board 🙌

👉 To find out more, discover the 5 favourite products of our ambassador Mathilde (dance_with_him)

The Michel Vaillant sweet itch protocol: 5 products, one comprehensive strategy

The great thing about Michel Vaillant is their comprehensive approach: targeting the skin, repelling insects and supporting the horse's system from within. Here are the 5 products to have in your medicine cabinet this summer.

1. The Horskin Green Clay Concentrated Shampoo 🧴

Before any treatment, start with a clean base. This Montmorillonite green clay and Rhassoul clay shampoo deeply cleanses and removes excess grease from the coat while being hypoallergenic — a formula inspired by human cosmetics that cleanses effectively without aggressively stripping the skin, helping to preserve the skin's natural lipid barrier. It's the essential first step in every care routine: it removes crusts and residue, and prepares the skin to absorb the actives that follow. The coat comes out radiant, whatever the colour 💫

 

2. The Horskin Aqueous Anti-Sweet Itch Lotion 💧

This is the star product in the range for managing sweet itch. Based on active plant and fruit extracts, this lotion works on multiple fronts at once:

• It stops sweet itch by protecting horses from culicoides midges, the insects that trigger the allergic reaction
• It calms the itch and prevents your horse from scratching and damaging its mane and coat
• It treats existing wounds caused by scratching

Available in 500 ml, it fits easily into your daily routine and is safe for use in competition.

👉 OHLALA tip: apply it at the end of the day, when culicoides are most active, for maximum shield effect.

3. The Horskin Organic Plantain Balm that soothes itching 🌱

When the itching has already taken its toll — raw skin, torn mane, irritated patches — this is the balm you reach for. Certified organic, it brings together a cocktail of high-quality natural actives:

• Organic plantain, echinacea, coconut, castor and nigella vegetable oils, rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids and vitamins A and E
• Organic essential oils of Clove, Niaouli, Spike Lavender and Lemon Eucalyptus, valued for their antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and antifungal properties
• Lanolin, beeswax and turmeric, to deeply hydrate and regenerate the skin

It helps calm the itch, soothe irritation and support coat regrowth. A balm that does it all — and we love that 😉 Apply daily with a gentle manual massage to the sensitive areas.

 

4. The Farrierfly Repellent 🌿

Treatment is important. Preventing bites is even better. Farrierfly Essentiel is a professional natural plant-based repellent spray made with plants, fruits and essential oils (Mint, Eucalyptus, Citronella, Lavender, Basil, Tomato and Geranium extracts). 

Widely praised by farriers, it allows them to work in safe conditions — for both themselves and the horses — especially during the delicate moment of shoeing. Its action is immediate, and its gradual diffusion ensures long-lasting protection:

• Up to 6 hours' effectiveness for a horse at rest
• Up to 3 hours for a horse in work

It repels flies, mosquitoes, horseflies, wasps, and above all the culicoides midges responsible for sweet itch. Tested, approved and safe for use in competition.

👉 OHLALA tip: on the most sensitive areas (around the ears, neck, base of the tail), use the long-lasting Farrierfly insect repellent gel 💪

 

5. The CMV Omega 3 Sainfoin Force 4 🌾

Treating sweet itch from the outside alone is only half the battle. This mineral and vitamin supplement with sainfoin and omega-3s works from the inside to deeply support the horse's system.

Its formula is specifically designed for horses affected by sweet itch:

• 20% Sainfoin — maximises omega-3 absorption and plays a gastro-intestinal anti-parasitic role thanks to its specific tannins
• 2.5% Omega-3s from extruded linseed — a muscular and joint antioxidant, protecting muscle and tendon fibres
• Biotin, brewer's yeast, B vitamins, copper-zinc and manganese — essential elements for keratin synthesis, supporting healthy coat and hoof regrowth

During sweet itch season, the skin takes a real beating. This CMV actively supports skin tissue quality, coat and mane regrowth, alongside its general benefits for the horse's overall health. Minimum one-month course, ideally given throughout the entire warm season.

Product coming soon ⏳

The OHLALA protocol for managing sweet itch this summer 📋

Here's how to combine these 6 products in a coherent routine:

1. Prevention from spring onwards Before the first warm days arrive, start the CMV Omega 3 Sainfoin to strengthen the system, and incorporate Farrierfly Essentiel into the daily routine (as a shampoo, gel or spray) to create a repellent shield around your horse. Also support with fly masks and fly rugs 🪰 They physically keep culicoides away from the sensitive dermis — essential mechanical protection for any serious management plan.

2. Cleansing and active care when symptoms appear At the first signs of scratching, cleanse the irritated areas with the Green Clay Shampoo, then apply the Horskin Anti-Sweet Itch Lotion. This duo cleanses, soothes and protects in one simple step.

3. Treating lesions and supporting regrowth When the skin is already damaged, the Plantain DER Organic Balm soothes and heals the irritated areas. Once the skin has calmed, the Castor-Coconut-Plantain Organic Balm takes over to deeply regenerate and stimulate coat and mane regrowth.

 

Why we love Michel Vaillant at OHLALA ❤️

There are brands we truly believe in, and Michel Vaillant is one of them. Because they tick every box we look for:

• Natural and organic formulas, with no compromise on effectiveness
• Made in France, with a century of expertise and a genuine commitment to ethical production
• Safe for use in competition, including for horses subject to anti-doping controls
• A holistic approach — topical treatments, repellents and supplementation — to act on every level

Sweet itch doesn't disappear overnight. It's a chronic condition that requires consistency and dedication. But with the right products and careful monitoring, your horse can rediscover comfort and well-being, even in the height of summer.

In summary 🎯

 

Managing your horse's sweet itch? Have you already tried these products? Share your experience in the comments on your favourite product pages — your feedback can help a whole community of owners in the same situation 🐴✨

➡️ Discover the full Michel Vaillant range on OHLALA 🧡