Was soll eine Ekzemdecke können?

Author: Marie-Theres and Veronika Conen, Sportsfreund-Studios

We spent a long time researching, tinkering and testing to find the ideal solution for an eczema/fly rug. Have we finally designed the perfect blanket? Most likely not, the requirements for an eczema blanket are far too complex for that. But we think we are very close.

We didn't want to launch just any other eczema blanket on the market, but a really new and improved one. So we studied eczema sufferers and their blankets and thought about what their strengths and weaknesses were and whether we could improve them. As we have an eczema horse of our own, we are very close to the problem. We are now happy to present you with the solution that we and the horses are very happy with.

When does my horse need a sweet itch blanket?

Sweet itch is a skin disease caused by an allergic reaction to the saliva of gnats or other stinging insects. The horse feels intense itching, there is rubbing of the mane and tail, this in turn sometimes causes larger sores which can then be entry points for parasites, bacteria and fungi. Source: Hestakofi

Feed and care play an important role in the prevention and treatment of sweet itch. However, wearing an sweet itch rug is essential and the most reliable protection against being stung. 

Unfortunately, it is not possible to say in general terms in which months a sweet itch blanket should be worn. It always depends on the weather. Normally, we would recommend using the blanket at least from April to October. However, if the weather is unusually mild in autumn or spring, it may be necessary to use it earlier or later. 

Just pay attention to when your horse shows the first - even minimal - symptoms. If he has been rubbing the same spot for three days in a row, you should cover him up at the latest. 

At the beginning or end of the season, however, you can reduce to wearing the neck piece alone, provided your horse has no sensitive areas elsewhere on the body.

Freshly imported Icelandic horses should always wear a sweet itch blanket during their first summers in Germany, regardless of whether they show symptoms or not.

How should the ideal sweet itch blanket do everything?

The fabric of the ideal sweet itch blanket is light, airy, waterproof and totally mosquito-proof. It is comfortable for the horse and at the same time as indestructible as chain mail.

The perfection of the cut is outstanding. The workmanship is impeccable. The price is low, but these requirements cannot be met. Because a fabric that is waterproof and absolutely indestructible cannot be light and breathable at the same time. And advanced cut technology and quality workmanship do not come cheap.

The dream idea of an sweet itch rug is almost impossible to fulfil