Itchy Horse & National Sweet Itch Centre

12/11/2025

Itchy Horse UK online payment system is now up and running. Thank you for your patience and sincere apologies for the inconvenience this may have caused.

www.itchyhorse.co.uk

03/11/2025

Itchy Horse UK is currently experiencing some technical glitches whilst transitioning to a new payment system, meaning that we’re currently unable to take online payments. We hope to be up and running shortly so please bear with us. Sincere apologies for any inconvenience this may cause. You can still place an order by phoning 07344331681 as we’re able to take card payment over the phone.

Exciting News – A New Chapter Begins! We’re pleased to share that The Itchy Horse Company Ltd is now under new management and will soon be rebranding as Itchy Horse UK. I’d like to take this opportunity to say a heartfelt thank you to Alison for entrusting me with the business she has built wi...

30/10/2025

Product Spotlight - Boett Hood

Sadly, approximately 2 out of 3 horses/ponies/donkeys with Sweet Itch suffer damage to the head/face area. The ears, forehead and around the eyes are commonly affected. For these animals the Boett Hood offers protection. Made from the same sturdy but lightweight material as the Boett Blanket, a high quality mesh covers the eye area and is designed to not get too close to the face, it ensures optimal ventilation while protecting your horse from pesky insects. The innovative design features a water repellent mesh that protects they eyes. Ears are fully covered, providing durability and extra protection in any weather.

The hood has ample adjustment and is secured to the blanket by a loop behind the ears, a long elastic strap, which is fastened to a point inside the blanket by the wither area and by two snap-clips below the cheeks. No head collar is required. As with the blanket, horses rarely object to the fitting and use of the hood.

There are also hoods for donkeys, not just horses and ponies.

The chestnut colour has been discontinued but I have a small number of size 0, size 1 and donkey size 1 for sale at a reduced price £50. Phone orders only (07344 331681).

Other products to help make our 4-legged equine friends more comfortable can be found at www.itchyhorse.co.uk

23/10/2025

🐴 Is Your Horse Itching Non-Stop?

Does your horse rub their mane, neck, or tail until the skin looks sore or bald? They might be suffering from Sweet Itch — a common allergic reaction to bites from tiny midges 🦟

This condition causes intense itching, hair loss, and skin irritation, especially during warm weather. There’s currently no cure, but early prevention can make a huge difference!

✅ Use fly rugs such as a Boett Blanket or masks
✅ Stable during dawn and dusk
✅ Keep skin clean with soothing shampoos
✅ Avoid midge hotspots like standing water

💬 Always get a professional diagnosis from your vet before starting treatment.

Help your horse stay comfortable — share this post to raise awareness among fellow owners! 💚🐎

Is your horse constantly itching? It could be Sweet Itch! So, your horse/pony/donkey is itching non-stop and seems worse early evening and morning. The mane, neck and top of the tail seem to be the areas most effected, most probably because these are the places that horses find easiest to scratch. T...

16/10/2025

Product Spotlight - the Boett Blanket

The Boett Blanket is a solution that dramatically improves the quality of life for every horse that suffers as a result of Sweet Itch. It provides a totally effective barrier against midge and insect attack, and helps to prevent the typical symptoms of Sweet Itch.

The design of the Boett Blanket is so effective that other companies are copying it! Vets recommend that covering up is the best way to alleviate the urge to scratch. Indeed, some insurance companies will consider covering the cost of a Boett Blanket (either partial cost or full cost) if your 4-legged friend suffers from Sweet Itch and you’ve been advised to use a Boett Blanket. Petplan and NFU are 2 companies that look at claims on a case by case basis and will consider covering partial/full cost if recommended by a vet.

My personal experience - Winnie is a Connie-x who I purchased in January 24. There was no mention of her scratching or indeed having sweet itch. Fast forward to April of that year when she can in from the field with obvious rubs in her mane and scabs appearing where she’d been rubbing. I tried numerous creams/lotions but nothing really seemed to work. In May, I contacted Alison who advised putting Winnie in a Boett Blanket. I can honestly say this worked. Winnie has a full mane! There have been days when I think I can put Winnie out without her Boett Blanket or leave her naked at night; however, the first sign of her trying to scratch and the Boett goes back on. I was so impressed with the Boett Blanket that I bought one for my other mare - although she doesn’t suffer from Seeet Itch, the Boett is much more effective than the fly rugs I’d used previously.

Such is my belief in the Boett Blankets and experienced first hand how they can help a Sweet Itch sufferer, that when Alison mentioned she was looking to retire, I agreed to buy the company.

For more details about the Boett Blankets and sizing, please visit www.itchyhorse.co.uk

Pic of my girls in their Boett Blankets

03/10/2025

Exciting News – A New Chapter Begins!

We're pleased to share that The Itchy Horse Company Ltd is now under new management and will soon be rebranding as Itchy Horse UK.

I'd like to take this opportunity to say a heartfelt thank you to Alison for entrusting me with the business she has built with such care and dedication. It's an honour to continue her legacy.
Please join me in wishing Alison all the very best for a happy and well-deserved retirement!

We’re looking forward to the future with excitement and gratitude – and we can’t wait to continue supporting you and your horses under our new name.

14/04/2025

Don't be complacent about sweet itch, with the sunshine and no rain there haven't been lots of midges hatching ,BUT with the rain due this week the moisture in the ground will allow the midges to hatch in their millions as soon as the sun comes out, and so it begins in earnest😳 Get your Boetts on. All sizes in stock but order before 12 on Wednesday to receive before Easter weekend. Happy Easter everyone☺️ www.itchyhorse.co.uk 07825152490

The National Sweet-Itch Centre Itchy Horse Company Ltd is pleased to announce that it has taken over The National Sweet-Itch Centre. Itchy Horse Company Ltd was formed not only to supply the best solutions but also to offer expertise and advice with no obligation, as we fully understand the distress...

13/03/2025

Good morning... We are now approaching the start of the sweet itch season 🙁 Our advice would be to be prepared and put Boetts on before your horses start to itch. Don't wait for the weather to warm up or to see midges, the sooner the rug goes on, the less chance there is of the itch cycle beginning. A lightweight rug can always be put over a Boett in the event of particularly cold weather. For any queries relating to sweet itch or for a chat about the condition, please do not hesitate to contact us here at Itchy Horse & National Sweet Itch Centre. 01352 840333/ 07825152490 email:[email protected]

13/03/2025

We say it every year preparation is the key - don't wait to see your horse itching before you put the Boett rug on - the key is to put their rug on before the itch cycle begins. We have most sizes and colours of Boett Rugs and Hoods in stock. Please feel free to contact us regarding sizing or about anything sweet itch. 🐴🐎
www.itchyhorse.co.uk 01352 840333/07825152490

The National Sweet-Itch Centre Itchy Horse Company Ltd is pleased to announce that it has taken over The National Sweet-Itch Centre. Itchy Horse Company Ltd was formed not only to supply the best solutions but also to offer expertise and advice with no obligation, as we fully understand the distress...

23/12/2024

Happy Christmas and a Happy and prosperous 2025 from Itchy Horse Co.