It is usually stated that horses suffer most from summer eczema between April and August but unfortunately this is not entirely true.

Eczema blankets are coming off and being replaced by rain blankets but the very wetness and temperatures above 12 degrees Celsius make it ideal for midges to cause a delivery of summer eczema in horses.

What are midges?

Gnats like a warm, moist environment. They occur from April to October. Gnats are a family of mosquitoes of the order two-winged. It is a real pest especially for horses but other animals have to put up with it and can suffer a major allergy. Gnats are like mosquitoes. Their bite can cause intense itching. There are also species of midges that live exclusively parasitically on other, larger insects.

Midges arrive most often at the end of the day when the sun is low, midges can be very annoying with little wind. The number of midges is increasing in the Netherlands.

Gnats like a warm, moist environment. They occur from April to October. At the end of summer, more rain falls on which the meadows create puddles. Ideal for the midges to lay eggs in. Revival of summer eczema can be caused mainly in the months of September and October. So don't think you can stop protecting your horse during those months.

To protect your horse use neem oil

Tip: It is now getting a little colder outside, which can cause the neem oil to thicken. Put the bottle under tap with warm water (not hot water) so the oil thins out