Sweet itch in horses

Summer eczema in horses: how to finally tackle it with Michel Vaillant 🐴

Every summer, the same story. Your horse scratches their mane against the fence post, their coat falls out in patches and their comfort takes a nosedive. Recurrent summer eczema is a nightmare for many owners — and above all for their horses. But the good news is: there are natural, effective, Made in France solutions 🇫🇷

And to be honest with you: no curative treatment currently addresses the root cause. But with the right products, you can effectively manage the symptoms and give your horse a far 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?

Equine recurrent summer eczema (sweet itch) is an allergy to midge bites — those tiny, invisible Culicoides that swarm from spring onwards, especially around water sources and at dusk.

Faced with these bites, the immune system of some horses goes into overdrive. The result? Itching so intense that some horses scratch until they bleed, skin lesions, and loss of mane and coat. And the hardest part to accept: once your horse has developed the condition, it will unfortunately return every year with the warm season.

The tell-tale signs 👀

• Repeated, 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 late in the day

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

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

If you're not yet familiar with Michel Vaillant, here's what you need to know: it's a French brand with nearly 100 years of expertise in equine care, made in their laboratory in Cluses, France. Their formulas combine natural actives, organic vegetable oils and carefully selected essential oils. Premium care with genuine ethics, tested and approved by equestrian professionals. We absolutely love it 🙌

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

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

The great thing about Michel Vaillant is that their approach is comprehensive: we act on the skin, repel insects and support the horse's body from within. Here are the 5 products to have in your kit this summer.

1. The Horskin Green Clay Concentrated Shampoo 🧴

Before any treatment, start with a clean base. This shampoo with Montmorillonite green clay and Rhassoul clay deeply cleanses and degreases the coat while being hypoallergenic — a formula inspired by human cosmetics that cleanses effectively without aggressing the skin and helps preserve its natural lipid barrier. It's the essential first step of every care routine: it removes crusts, residues and prepares the skin to absorb the active ingredients that follow. The coat comes out radiant, whatever the colour 💫

 

2. The Horskin Aqueous Anti-Eczema Lotion 💧

This is the star product of the range for tackling sweet itch. Made with active plant and fruit extracts, this lotion works on several fronts at once:

• It stops sweet itch by protecting the horse from Culicoides midges, the insects that trigger the allergic reaction
• It soothes the burning itch and prevents your horse from scratching and damaging their mane and coat
• It treats existing wounds caused by scratching

Available in 500 ml, it fits easily into the daily routine and is approved 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 itching has already caused damage (raw skin, torn mane, irritated patches), this is the balm to reach for. Certified organic, it brings together a high-quality cocktail of natural actives:

• Organic vegetable oils of Ribwort Plantain, Echinacea, Coconut, Castor and Nigella, rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids and vitamins A and E
• Organic essential oils of Clove, Niaouli, Spike Lavender and Lemon Eucalyptus, for their antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and antifungal properties
• Lanolin, Beeswax and Turmeric, to deeply moisturise and regenerate the skin

It helps calm the urge to scratch, soothes itching and encourages coat regrowth. A balm that does it all — and we love that 😉 Apply daily with a gentle massage on sensitive areas.

 

4. The Farrierfly Repellent 🌿

Treatment is important — but preventing bites is even better. Farrierfly Essentiel is a professional natural repellent spray made from 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 themselves and for horses — especially during the delicate moment of shoeing. Its action is immediate, and its gradual release ensures long-lasting protection:

• Up to 6 hours of 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 responsible for sweet itch. Tested, approved and suitable for use in competition.

👉 OHLALA tip: for the most sensitive areas (around the ears, neck, base of the tail), use the Farrierfly long-lasting 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 within to deeply support the horse's body.

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

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

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

Product coming soon ⏳

The OHLALA protocol for managing sweet itch this summer 📋

Here's how to combine these 6 products effectively:

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

2. Cleansing and active treatment when symptoms appear At the first signs of scratching, cleanse the irritated areas with the Green Clay Shampoo, then apply the Horskin Anti-Eczema Lotion. This duo cleanses, soothes and protects in a single step.

3. Treating lesions and promoting regrowth When the skin is already damaged, the Organic Plantain Balm DER calms and heals the irritated areas. Once the skin is soothed, the Organic Castor-Coconut-Plantain 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
• Approved for competition use, including for horses subject to anti-doping controls
• A holistic approach — topical treatments, repellents and supplementation — to tackle the problem on every level

Sweet itch doesn't disappear overnight. It's a chronic condition that requires dedication and consistency. But with the right products and careful monitoring, your horse can find comfort and wellbeing again, 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 facing the same challenge 🐴✨

➡️ Discover the full Michel Vaillant range on OHLALA 🧡