🌿 Vet Insight: Omega-3s for Insect Bite Allergies in Horses | 2025 Natural Skin Support Guide 🐴🦟

By Dr Duncan Houston, BVSc

With warmer weather comes an unwelcome surge in **biting insects**—and for many horses, that means the return of **itching, rubbing, and skin infections**. These reactions, often known as **insect bite hypersensitivity** or **"sweet itch"**, are more than a nuisance—they're a seasonal health issue that needs smart management. 🧠🐎

In this 2025 guide, we’ll explore how **omega-3 fatty acids**, particularly from flaxseed, may help reduce skin inflammation caused by insect bites—offering a natural option alongside traditional treatments. 🌾🩹

🦟 What Is Insect Bite Allergy in Horses?

Also known as **culicoides hypersensitivity**, sweet itch is a chronic, allergic reaction to the saliva of biting insects—particularly midges (Culicoides spp.). It commonly affects horses in spring and summer, and symptoms can be severe. 😣

Common Signs Include:

• 🔥 Intense itching and rubbing
• 🐴 Hair loss on belly midline, mane, tail base, and back
• 🦠 Secondary skin infections from open sores
• 😫 Behavioral changes—restlessness or aggression from irritation

Without intervention, sweet itch can cause significant discomfort, scarring, and chronic skin changes. 🧬

💊 Traditional Treatment Options

Most treatment plans rely on a combination of strategies:

• 🦟 **Insect control** – fly sheets, fans, and repellents
• 💉 **Corticosteroids** – reduce allergic inflammation (short-term only)
• 🧼 **Topical care** – soothe itching, cleanse wounds
• 💊 **Antibiotics** – only if secondary infections occur

However, **long-term cortisone use carries serious risks**—including **laminitis (founder)**. That’s why alternative or supportive therapies like **omega-3s** are gaining interest. 🌿🚫

🧪 How Omega-3 Fatty Acids Work

Omega-3s are essential fatty acids known for their **anti-inflammatory properties**. In both people and animals, they help regulate immune responses—making them beneficial for **allergic conditions**, including skin inflammation. 🧠🩹

Benefits of Omega-3s in Horses:

• 📉 Reduce skin inflammation and redness
• 🧬 Support skin barrier and coat health
• 🛡️ Help balance immune overreactions to allergens

Sources of omega-3s for horses include:

• 🌾 Flaxseed or flaxseed meal (high in ALA)
• 🌊 Fish oils (DHA and EPA—less commonly used)
• 🌻 Camelina or chia seed oils

📊 Research on Omega-3s and Insect Allergies

Researchers at the **University of Guelph** tested the effect of **flax meal supplementation** on horses exposed to Culicoides (biting midges). Horses were fed flaxseed daily for **six weeks**, then injected with insect allergens. 🧪📈

Study Results:

• 🐴 Flax-fed horses had **significantly milder skin reactions**
• 🔥 Less redness, swelling, and discomfort at injection sites
• 🌿 Researchers concluded omega-3s **may reduce allergic skin reactivity**

Note: The test subjects were not known to have pre-existing allergies, so while results are promising, **more research is needed** in truly allergic horses. Still, it’s a safe, accessible option worth trying. 📉

🌾 How to Feed Omega-3s Safely

To replicate the study approach, add **ground flaxseed (flax meal)** to your horse’s feed daily for at least 6–8 weeks. Whole flax must be **ground fresh** or stored in a stabilized form to prevent rancidity. ❄️

Recommended Dosage:

• 🐎 ~4–8 oz of flax meal per day (adjust per horse size and fat tolerance)
• 📦 Or follow label instructions on commercial omega-3 products

Introduce gradually and watch for digestive tolerance. Flax is generally safe but is high in fat, so consult your vet before starting if your horse has metabolic concerns. 🩺

⚠️ Don’t Skip Insect Control

Omega-3s are **not a replacement for insect prevention**. Continue to use fly sheets, masks, stall fans, and repellents to reduce bites and exposure. ✅

📲 Use Ask A Vet for Skin Allergy Support

The Ask A Vet app helps you manage insect allergies year-round. You can:

• 📱 Ask about diet changes like flax or fish oil
• 📸 Share photos of skin reactions or hot spots
• 📊 Track supplement results and flare-up timing
• 🧴 Get advice on topical care and insect control products

It’s your one-stop solution for managing equine skin health—naturally and effectively. 🐴📲

✅ Allergy Relief Takeaways

• 🦟 Sweet itch is an allergic reaction to insect bites—especially midges
• 🌿 Omega-3s like flax meal may reduce skin inflammation
• 🧪 Research shows less reactivity in supplemented horses
• 📉 Still need fly control, especially in summer
• 📱 Use Ask A Vet to plan diet and allergy care

📲 Final Thoughts from Dr Duncan Houston

Insect allergies make summer miserable for some horses—but **natural tools like omega-3s** may offer relief without long-term medication risks. They support skin health, reduce inflammation, and are safe for most horses when fed properly. 🧠💙

Download the Ask A Vet app today for help managing insect allergies, choosing the right supplements, and building a seasonal protection plan for your horse. 🐎📱