Sweet Itch Rug for celandic horses: SWEET RELIEF overview

Here it is at last, our blanket for eczema-ridden Icelandic horses. It is the ingenious hybrid solution between a fly and an eczema blanket. It combines the lightness of a fly blanket with the secure protection of an eczema blanket.

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.

What makes the SWEET RELIEF sweet itch blanket special?

The sweet itch rug is designed as a full-body blanket full-body blanket and provides complete protection for the horse's body from nose to tail. To achieve this without creating pressure points, the rug is divided into four sections.

The body is a snug-fitting, comfortable blanket that is secured with a belly guard. This is attached to the chest with Velcro and can be closed individually at the belly. It protects the entire underside of the horse: from the chest, between the front legs, over the belly seam to just
before sheath or udder.

The neck piece is attached to the body with strong but soft Velcro fasteners and can be connected seamlessly to the body and mask. The neck piece is long enough to ensure that the neck and throat are covered even when grazing. The elastic head opening does not choke, but closes reliably, especially when used with the matching mask.

Color and fabric of SWEET RELIEF

An eczema blanket doesn't have to look dreary. The color of the Sportsfreund eczema blanket is a positive, fresh teal blue that blends in nicely with the landscape and suits all horses. The petrol blue is accentuated by elegant ivory ribbons featuring our logo in jacquard weave. The
color is dark enough to never look dirty and light enough to reflect the sun. Horses suffering from eczema always look smart and stay at a comfortable temperature.

The fabric is a high-performance blended fabric from the high-tech textile sector. Its components are polyamide, a resistant, robust fiber that is resistant to abrasion, heat, and wear; COOLMAX®, a fiber that provides maximum breathability and effective evaporation; Dyneema ®, the strongest fiber in the world, for maximum tear and cut resistance; and elastane, a fiber that provides maximum elasticity and dimensional stability. The artful weaving of the fibers is the result of sophisticated textile engineering.

Once the rug gets wet, the fabric dries quickly. Your horse doesn't have to stand around for long in a heavy, soaked blanket after a rain shower. You don't have to stress about sudden changes in the weather. You don't need to change your horse's clothes and can let it dry in its blanket with a clear conscience. For longer periods of rain, we still recommend having a waterproof blanket such as our Softshell Rain Rugs at hand.

The extreme density of the fabric reliably prevents the penetration of gnats.In addition, it provides mechanical UV protection in addition to the fur. This means that no chemical treatment is necessary, which would harm the organism and the environment.

The high-tech fabric is the result of sophisticated textile engineering.

63% Polyamid, also known as nylon, is tear- and abrasion-resistant, yet stretchy and heat-resistant. The fiber absorbs little moisture, dries quickly, and retains its shape in both wet and dry conditions. PA is used for technical applications involving high loads and wear.

20% COOLMAX® is a high-performance polyester fabric with effective moisture wicking and breathability. The special shape of the fibers (four to six sides) increases their surface area and creates a capillary effect that draws sweat away from the skin.

The absorbed moisture is distributed across the fibers and evaporates on the surface of the fabric. The removal of moisture helps the body regulate its temperature and stay cool. COOLMAX® is easy to care for and is primarily used in sports and functional clothing.

8% Dyneema®—“The World’s Strongest Fiber”—is a synthetic fiber based on polyethylene with an ultra-high molecular weight. Due to its molecular alignment, the fiber has an extremely high tensile strength, which is five times higher than that of polyamide, for example. The excellent ratio of breaking load to weight enables maximum lightness. 

Dyneema® has extremely high edge strength and is difficult to cut, bite through, or fray. Nevertheless, the fiber is not stiff but supple. It is extremely smooth and cannot be dyed, which is why we see the fiber as a white grid in our fabric. It absorbs hardly any water, does not become heavy, dries quickly, and is resistant to salt.

9% Elastan is a synthetic fiber made of 85% polyurethane and offers maximum elasticity with absolute dimensional stability. The addition of elastane makes fabrics wrinkle-free and stretchy, which protects them from tearing and allows for a better fit.

The updated design of the eczema blanket for Icelandic horses

Another challenge is ensuring the horse is securely covered. The aim was to minimize unprotected areas where mosquitoes could reach the horse. These are often: he neck, between the front legs, the belly seam, the udder or sheath, and the tail. Ill-fitting cuts and gaping closures are invitations to biting pests.

SWEET RELIEF sweet itch blanket in three separate pieces

Conventional eczema blankets often cause pressure points, For example, at the withers or chest, because stretching or lowering the head creates a lever effect and pulls the one-piece blanket at the neck.

This tractive force is transmitted along the body, from the withers to the back and tail, and intensifies like a lever. This can lead to pressure points, cutting in, Rubbing or even pain thats why SWEET RELIEF eczema blanket is divided into three separate sections to protect sensitive areas such as the neck and withers.

In a three-piece blanket, each part is movable independently. This significantly reduces the tension acting on each individual section. This reduces pressure points and makes the blanket much more comfortable for the horse.

By dividing the blanket into individual sections, we can optimize each section specifically.

Body and belly guard

The body of the blanket is based on the cut of our popular Rain RugIt has a sewn-in elastic wedge to relieve pressure on the withers, a stretchy neckline, and a particularly generous tail flap. It is cut to fall down along the body and
offer maximum protection for the legs.

The body is secured using a belly guard, which is attached invisibly from the outside under the blanket. This also protects the chest and the area between the horse's front legs by attaching to the chest. The belly guard is individually adjusted to the horse's size and offers many adjustable fastening options. The belly flap is tied tightly under the body using elastic straps, thus providing reliable protection against slipping. It is no longer possible for the horse to step into it with its hooves when rolling.

Please note: The sweet itch rugs use 000 buckles! With us, buckles can't break because we don't use buckles. All fasteners work with secure Velcro fasteners or with straps that are simply tied in a knot. The knots hold securely but are easy to open thanks to the
smooth structure of the straps.

Neck Piece

The separate neck piece extends up to the ears and is generously cut so that it completely covers the horse's neck both when stretched out while eating and when standing upright. It also overlaps the body part of the blanket so that there are no gaps through which mosquitoes could penetrate.

It is attached to the bodysuit and mask with secure Velcro fasteners.

Fly Mask

Horses that need extra protection for their throat, neck, ears, and face can combine our set with a fly mask. It is cut so that it extends well below the neck and provides complete protection for the base of the neck . The two parts are connected with Velcro. The mask fits snugly on the horse's head and is closed at the neck with Velcro.

All parts of the sweet itch blanket are finished with smooth inner seams to protect the sensitive sweet itch skin.

Difference between the new and old SWEET RELIEF sweet itch rug?

The main difference between the new and old eczema blankets is the neck section. The new neck section is an attached piece that only protects the neck and is fastened to the outside of the withers and chest. Protection between the front legs is now provided by the extended belly guard.

The old neck section was a separate piece that could also be worn on its own. It ran between the front legs and was fastened at the sides with Velcro, which also covered the torso and belly. Although the new neck section cannot be worn on its own, it has major advantages:it is easier to put on, fits securely, and there are fewer mistakes when fastening it.

With the old version, it was possible for the neck section to be closed too far back on the abdomen, pulling backwards and then being too short at the neck – especially if it was not correctly connected to the mask. (However, we can also manufacture the old neck section again on request.)

How to put an sweet itch rug on your Icelandic horse correctly

The mask, neck piece, and bodysuit to slip-on, to minimise gaps for insects and avoid uncomfortably tight fasteners that break.

But don't worry, the parts are specially designed so that putting them on and taking them off is quite smooth. The openings are loosely cut and the light material "slips" quickly onto the horse. Because the blanket is divided into 3 components, the horse always has a little break before moving on to the next piece.

Will the SWEET RELIEF sweet itch blanket fit my Icelandic horse?

The cut of the sweet itch rug is so sophisticated that we can manage with one size for all ponies . . It covers sizes 115, 125, and 135.

However, we also encourage you to customise the sweet itch blanket to suit your pony's needs, thus optimising the individual fit. The cut is designed from the outset so that it can be altered by non-professionals without any problems. We are happy to help you with this too.

How to wash and care for your SWEET RELIEF sweet itch blanket

The eczema blanket can be washed in the washing machine at 40 degrees or even with a quick hand wash in between wears. The thin fabric is so lightweight that it's very easy to do.

In case of heavy stains caused by greasy care products, it is recommended to soak the affected parts with dish soap or bile soap. A quick hand wash at the stable with horse shampoo is also a good idea, especially because the individual parts have little volume.

Please remember to do this at least once a week. This way you will prevent rough soiling and do something good for the sensitive eczema skin.

How sturdy is the blanket really?

A word about stability. The blanket is repeatedly exposed to extreme stress when worn, e.g. when the horse rubs itself or gets caught on something. No fabric that is also light and airy can withstand such extreme stress. It will simply give way. And that's a good thing. It is better for the blanket to tear than for the horse to get injured because it is caught and, in the worst case, panics.

Don't worry if the blanket is "destroyed" or only gets a small hole. Or if one or the other ribbon or velcro needs to be replaced. We always have enough mending material ready and will be happy to advise you on repairs. Fabric and ingredients can be sewn with any simple household sewing machine.

Production: Why it took so long to restock the sweet itch rug

Although the initial launch of the eczema blanket was very successful, we subsequently encountered a major problem: the blanket is very complicated to sew and difficult to produce in Germany. Sewing in Germany is expensive and there are too few skilled workers. Craft trades such as sewing require a lot of experience and practice, but are poorly paid, which is why hardly anyone learns this profession. Foreign skilled workers find it difficult to find employment. As a result, we simply had no one who could sew enough blankets, whichgreatly delayed production times.

We then looked for alternatives abroad and finally found a reliable partner in Izmir, Turkey —a city with a long tradition in textile processing. We visited the site, discussed the fabric and cuts, tested samples, and went through several rounds of adjustments. Working with multiple people involved means that communication is now more complex, but production is now running reliably.
This process shows how much work and time goes into a high-quality, sustainably produced product—from the initial idea to the finished blanket, which we can supply on an ongoing basis.