How to Protect Your Horses From Biting by Gnats

Biting gnats are not only annoying to horses, they can also cause equine "sweet itch," an allergic reaction that will cause the horse's skin to itch down its back, especially around the tail and mane areas. A horse affected will excessively swish its tail, roll and rub against objects to relieve the itch. In extreme cases the horse may rub its skin raw. Prevention is the best solution for treating sweet itch, according to Practical Horsekeeping. Insect repellents don't work on biting gnats, but home remedies and other techniques can help protect your horse from these pests.

Things You'll Need

  • Shelter
  • Cider vinegar
  • Horse sweet itch rugs
  • Vapor rub
  • Fabric softener dryer sheet
  • Baby oil
  • Avon Skin-So-Soft lotion
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Instructions

    • 1

      Shelter your horse in a stable or barn at dusk and dawn. Biting gnats are most active at sunrise and sunset. Keeping your horse under shelter at those times of day, especially on warm, humid, windless mornings and evenings can keep it safe from biting gnats.

    • 2

      Graze your horse in dry, open areas away from vegetation, woods and standing water. Biting gnats are drawn to water and decomposing vegetation.

    • 3

      Use a sweet itch rug (summer horse blanket) to cover your horse. Special horse blankets are available designed to protect animals from biting gnats. The rugs are light-weight and cover the horse from poll to tail to keep gnats away from vulnerable areas.

    • 4

      Add cider vinegar to your horses' water.

    • 5

      Apply Avon Skin-So-Soft lotion or vapor rub to vulnerable areas.

    • 6

      Rub a fabric softening dryer sheet over the horse.

    • 7

      Apply baby oil liberally to the horse's mane and tail.