SHIELD – Against summer eczema

SHIELD – Against summer eczema

SHIELD is a natural oil solution that acts as an itch relief with irritation reduction. The oil soothes the skin and relieves the discomfort and stress conditions. The product can be used preventatively to reduce the risk of midge attacks and irritations. 

• Easy to apply 
• Natural oil solution
• Itch-relieving effect
• A little goes a long way

 

USER MANUAL

Apply SHIELD to exposed or affected areas. The product is massaged in carefully. Apply the product once daily to maintain the antipruritic effect.

MUST BE SHAKEN BEFORE USE!

Allergic reactions may occur in rare cases.

 

WHAT IS SUMMER ECZEMA?

During the summer season, you may find that the horse has irritation and itching. This is often due to insect bites and bites from e.g. mitter. The condition can create a stressed and restless horse, as well as cause large wounds and hairless spots.

Summer eczema often affects Icelanders and div. ponyracer. Experts believe that this disorder occurs especially on imported breeds. Read more about it here.

The mites have a breeding season twice a year, namely in May and September, when large numbers of larvae hatch. This is the reason why you will often experience the worst eczema in the two months.

 

HOW IS SUMMER ECZEMA TREATED? – SHIELD

There is no “cure” for summer eczema, but there are a number of steps you can take to give your horse a milder summer. First, it is always a good idea to remove the horse from the problem, in this case the mites. The horses are especially active at dawn and at dusk. It therefore has a good effect to put the horse in a box at the end of the day, and then take them out again at morning time.

It is also always a good idea to prevent attacks with a horse care product such as SHIELD. The product has an antipruritic effect, which reduces the symptoms for the horses, and thus the larger hairless stains. By scratching horses, you will experience the horse more relaxed during the summer period.

If your horse either has a tendency to summer eczema or “just” scratches his tail completely in the summer, read more here.

 

THE SYMPTOMS OF SUMMER ECZEMA…

The typical symptoms of summer eczema in horses are skin changes in the mane and tail. The horse will start itching and be bothered. Initially, redness and the formation of small fluid-filled blisters will be seen. Subsequently, it will turn into exuding eczema, which dries in and forms itchy crusts.

The horse is rubbed and tailed, and the hairs wear off. This causes increased irritation of the area. If the horse itches intensely for a long time, this can turn into large open wounds.

If the horse is not treated, or remedied with the insect blanket or antipruritic agents such as SHIELD, then the horse may risk losing both mane, tail and form large hairless spots where the skin becomes thick and leathery. Here, hair growth will be inhibited.

 

ICELANDIC HORSES ARE ESPECIALLY VULNERABLE

If you have an Icelander, or stand somewhere with many Icelanders, you probably know the problem. Summer is a torment for the Icelandic horses. Experts say that Icelandic horses imported from Iceland have 10 times the risk of developing summer eczema as an Icelandic horse born in Denmark.

This is because the horses are not suitable for the climate in Denmark. However, it is not a given that your Icelander avoids summer eczema just because he was born and raised in Denmark. It is also genetically determined.

You can prevent outbreaks of summer eczema by putting your Icelander on the box from before dusk until after dawn, as well as supplementing with an insect blanket while it goes out. In addition, it is a good idea to use an antipruritic agent such as EQUUS CURA´s SHIELD.

 

PREVENT WITH FEED – SUMMER ECZEMA

The right food can be a contributing factor when you want to prevent summer eczema.

In practice, improvements have been seen in removing all sugar from the horse’s feed. Where this works is not scientifically proven, but it seems to have a positive effect. There are many feed varieties without sugar, but also remember to omit the treats, as these are packed with sugar and feed products such as. molasses.

More documented is the effect of flaxseed and oil in the horse’s feed. Flaxseed reduces the horse’s allergic reaction to the mites’ saliva. The recommended dose is 100g. pr. day per 100 kg. Horse. It is recommended that the horse get it for 42 days up to the first fry season for the mites in May.

Oil generally has a beneficial effect on the horse’s skin and hair layer, which is strengthened by consuming oil. In addition, oil has a beneficial effect on inflammation. Horses are good at digesting oil, and can easily tolerate 3 dl. oil a day.

This corresponds in energy to 1 kg. Oats, and is therefore a good alternative if your horse lacks energy but it is not good for starch. However, a maximum of 1 dl is recommended. oil pr. DKK 100 horse and never more than 5 dl. You can use an ordinary. rapeseed or sunflower oil for feeding.

Omega-3 fatty acid from i.a. Fish oil also has a beneficial effect against summer eczema. Omega-3 strengthens the immune system, the circulation and the horse’s skin. This all has a beneficial effect against itching and irritation.

 

VACCINE AGAINST SUMMER ECZEMA?

It is rumored that there may be a vaccine that has a beneficial effect against summer eczema. The vaccine was originally developed against ringworm but it seems to have an effect on horses that have previously been plagued by summer eczema.

Heste Praksis Nord, have written a post on their page about this, where they, among other things. states that some of the vaccinated horses to a lesser extent experience symptoms of summer eczema, and some in some cases have completely avoided outbreaks.

Why the vaccine may have a beneficial effect on summer eczema is unknown, but it is believed that the vaccine has an effect on the horse’s immune system.

 

See the video here