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Culicoides adults feed within 1 mile of where they were born.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Only females inflict a bite.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fly Predators do not work on Culicoides.

 

 

Culicoides larvae are aquatic - they need water.

 

 

 

 

Culicoides adults are not strong fliers. This is why fans can help.

 

 

 

Regular baths cut down on attraction.

 

 

ToltMagazineArticle About Our Summer Eczema Products

 

 

 

 

 

 

RK Topical has 300-600% more active ingredients than the tack shop varieties.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RK Topical Spray combined with SE Oral is required for best results.

                      

SUMMER ECZEMA (SE)

Summer Itch, Sweet Itch, Summer Eczema have a new, top-rated, proven treatment using USDA-certified organics for all breeds. FEI/USEF Ok.

Nickname: Sweet Itch (England), Summer Itch (USA), Queensland Itch (Australia)

What:

Hairless, reddened, encrusted, itchy areas on the base of the tail, midline of the belly, mane, and head. The itchy skin can cause further problems due to the horse rubbing the area on fences/stalls to the point of breaking off hair and increasing the size of scabbed/damaged areas. Secondary bacteria can invade damaged skin. Horse can be so uncomfortable that riding is limited or eliminated.

Why:

Insect hypersensitivity reactions are documented as the most common allergic reaction of horses and Summer Eczema (SE) falls in this category. SE is recognized as the #1 cause of mane and tail rubbing in research and is the #1 hypersensitivity reaction in the horse.

The cause is a gnat called Culicoides with nicknames of "biting midge" and "no-see-ums". They cause a painful bite, and after they bite, suck blood from the area. They are called "no-see-ums" because they are only the size of a period at the end of a sentence. You feel a bite but you can't tell what from.

Their saliva has foreign proteins containing antigens which set off a reaction in the horses's skin in six to twenty-four hours after a bite. The reaction causes the redness and itchy condition.

Only a few horses in a herd are usually affected because it is an allergic condition, and the conditions not contagious. A horse with affected skin will not transmit it to another horse or person. There is a genetic component to SE - offspring of affected horses are more prone to have SE.

The Culicoides feed from dusk to dawn (evening) and live only twenty days. They breed in stagnant water mixed with manure/dead vegetation. They live and bite only one mile from where they were born.

How to stop an active case of Summer Eczema/Sweet Itch

Goal: To heal the damaged skin and stop further episodes.

  •   STOP AN ACTIVE CASE

    1. Start SE Oral Supplement twice a day in feed.
      This supplement has USDA Certified organic herbs shown to soothe the reaction of the Culicoides bite. The herbs will decrease inflammation to allow healing and stop the itch. Multiple horses have received thousands of doses from all over the United States with great results. SE Med is USEF and FEI ok to show on. A reusable plastic cup accurately and easily measures the right amount (20cc) of a very small volume of liquid to pour onto the feed. The herbs are mixed with an all natural molasses which is great tasting to your horse.  Medication Dosage: 20cc in AM, 20cc in PM. One bottle lasts 24 days.

      Also available in a sugar-free apple flavor for horses with Insulin Resistance or on controlled carbohydrate diets.

      No Steroid Shots Needed
      } No Laminitis Issues
      No Azium Powder Packs Needed

    2. Map Shampoo area to remove crusts and bacterial debris.
      Map Shampoo is all natural and gently aids in healing. Use it three days in a row and then two times a week until skin is healed. You will only need one bottle to treat a horse.
    3. Quadrabiotic Enzyme Ointment
      After removing the crusts with Map Shampoo, dry the area, and massage in a small amount of this special ointment to sooth the red area, combating secondary bacterial infections, and stopping the itch. You will only need one jar to treat a horse.
    4. RK Topical Spray
      Apply RK Topical Spray™ twice a day. Go to the RK Topical Spray™ Section to learn more about this unique and powerful spray to repel and kill Culicoides, Ticks, Mosquitoes, and Flies
      *This Spray is crucial in healing the skin. You need to stop the cause (Culicoides Gnat) to allow the skin to heal.
    • HOW TO AVOID AN OUTBREAK OF SUMMER ECZEMA OUTBREAK
    1. SE Oral Supplement - Once a day in feed. In constant warm weather states, use year round. In states with a cold winter, you will use when Culicoides are around, from early April to mid-November. (Medication Dosage: 20cc in AM only. One bottle lasts 48 days.)
    2. RK Topical Spray™ - Twice a day.
    3. Management
      1. Fans - blow Culicoides physically away from the horse.
      2. Daytime Turnout - Culicoides feed at night. Be in a stall with a fan at night, or reapply RK Spray at dusk if outside continuously.
      3. Remove standing water areas on farm. They live/breed in stagnate water so if removed, will cut down on population. They do not live in streams.
      4. Omega Oils added to feed. - A Canadian study shows it helps to decrease itchy skin. Best economic source - Wheat Germ Oil. (Not Wheat Germ Oil Blend that has corn oil added). Squirt 30 cc into your horse's mouth once a day. It only costs $.25. Flax Seed Oil is another excellent source, but expensive.  
        A great alternative is four (4) tablespoons of ground flax seed in the feed once a day.
      5. Deworming for Skin - internal parasites rob your horse's immune system. We recommend giving one (1) tube of Equimax dewormer once a week for FOUR (4) WEEKS IN A ROW. This really can help yourhorse be at its best to protect the skin.
      6. Give your horse a bath with your regular shampoo two to three times a week. Why? Horse urine attracts flies over thirty times greater than other large animals. You can cut down on exposure by removing the attraction. Also hose your horse off after rides. Once dried off, apply RK Topical Spray™.
      7. Allergy Shots - A study out of Florida shows NO SUCCESS.
      8. Special Expensive Blankets - You will NOT NEED.
      9.  

        Summer Eczema Oral Supplement is to help maintain horse health and is part of a comprehensive program. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease.

         

        Culicoides

        Culicoides The Enemy

        Need the Oral Supplement and RK Topical Spray together to stop Summer Eczema.

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        Why spend more for other fly sprays and get less?
        Let RK Topical Spray work so you can enjoy your horse more.

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