Summer Sore Relief

What Are Summer Sores?

Summer sores (also known as Habronemiasis) are a frustrating and painful skin condition that affects horses during the warm months of May through September. They're caused by the larvae of stomach worms (Habronema and Draschia species) that are deposited by flies onto moist areas of a horse's skin — such as wounds, the eyes, mouth, sheath, or any area with moisture or irritation.

Instead of completing their normal life cycle, the larvae burrow into the skin tissue, triggering an intense inflammatory reaction. The result is a rapidly growing, itchy, ulcerated lesion that refuses to heal on its own — and can worsen dramatically if left untreated.

Signs & Symptoms

  • Raised, ulcerated, or granular skin lesions
  • Intense itching and self-trauma (rubbing, biting)
  • Lesions that bleed easily and don't heal
  • Yellow, caseous (cheesy) material within the wound
  • Most common on legs, face, sheath, and around the eyes

When Do Summer Sores Occur?

Summer sores are strictly a warm-weather condition. Fly populations peak between May and September, making this the highest-risk window for your horse. Once temperatures drop and flies disappear in fall and winter, new lesions stop forming — but existing ones need treatment to fully resolve.

Early intervention is key. The sooner you begin treatment, the faster and more completely the lesion will heal. Waiting allows lesions to grow larger and become more difficult to manage.

How Our Products Help

Our clay-based formulas are specially designed to create an inhospitable environment for larvae while supporting the skin's natural healing process:

  • Rose Summer Sore Clay — A soothing, mineral-rich clay blend formulated specifically for summer sore lesions. Helps reduce inflammation, discourage larvae activity, and support tissue repair.
  • Activated Charcoal Clay — Activated charcoal is a powerful drawing agent that helps pull toxins and irritants from the wound bed, while the clay base promotes a clean, healing environment.

Used together, these two products provide a comprehensive topical approach to managing summer sores throughout the season.

Prevention Tips

  • Apply fly repellent daily, especially around wounds and moist areas
  • Use fly masks and fly sheets during peak fly season
  • Keep wounds clean and covered to prevent fly access
  • Maintain a regular deworming program with your veterinarian
  • Begin monitoring for early lesions starting in May

Always consult your veterinarian for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan, especially for severe or rapidly growing lesions.