Headless Sweet Itch Hood

The Headless Sweet Itch Hood from Snuggy Hoods is perfect for all those wanting to protect their horse or pony from midges, flies other biting insects & harmful UV rays without the worry of it covering the face. It is our best-selling Summer Hood for mane protection.

The Snuggy Headless Sweet Itch Hood offers total protection from midges, biting insects, flies and harmful sunshine rays. It comes complete with adjustable belly band, optional zip & an elasticated and adjustable collar behind the ears ensuring close yet comfortable protection. The Headless Sweet Itch Hood also has a no-seam silky lined mane & shoulder area to prevent rubbing/chaffing.

This Headless Sweet Itch Hood is designed for comfort and protection. The the neck is cut extra long so the horse can stretch down comfortably to graze whilst staying protected right up to behind the ears.

This unique Hood is made of fully breathable, water repellent, heavy shower proof, lightweight, stretch fabric which is durable, cool & comfortable.  The fabric will also black dust & dirt and will prevent coat bleaching in the sun. The Headless Sweet Itch Hood is fully machine-washable and designed to be worn 24/7, in field or in stable, rain or shine.

The Headless Sweet Itch Hood is self-fixing so it can be used with any rug such as a fly rug or Summer sheet. It is best teamed with the Sweet Itch Rug for insect protection from poll to tail including full belly.

If you require the horse's head to be covered you can choose the Sweet Itch Mask to use with the Headless Hood for amazing protection. Using with the Sweet Itch Mask gives you the choice of face coverage or not as required.

ZIP OR PULL ON ? - we would always recommend a pull on hood unless the horse is head shy. Why? Less fiddly, Less to break, Less Bulky. If your horse is head shy or would find fitting stressful or upsetting, we would always recommend a zipped hood.

There is the option to add on Front Legs, Udder Cover or Sheath Cover providing extended coverage for the severe Sweet Itch sufferer. These items are purchased separately and designed for use with the Sweet Itch Rug or Bug Body Fly Rug.

What is Sweet Itch?

Sweet Itch is caused by an allergic reaction to the bites of the Culicoides midge and, to a lesser extent, Simulium Equinum. At present there is no known cure for Sweet Itch. Once an equine develops the allergy it is generally affected every Spring, Summer and Autumn. There are two approaches to improving the comfort of an affected animal: to minimize the allergic reaction with corticosteroids, anti-histamines or soothing lotions or to minimise midge attack using a Sweet Itch Hood/Rug. The second method offers the most effective protection and avoids the need to use harsh chemicals, expensive repellents and messy oils or greases. The Snuggy Sweet Itch Hood has been approved by Veterinary professionals for the prevention of the midge bite allergic reaction.

• XXXS - Miniature Horse

• XXS - Miniature Horse/Shetland (34″ and under), Small Pony Foal

• XS - Around 11.2hh, Small Shetland, Small Section A, Lead Rein Show Pony, Small Riding Pony - wearing a  Small Pony-Shetland Bridle. Usually wearing 4’6″-4’9″ Rugs

• S - Around 12.2hh, Heavier Section A, Dartmoor, Section B, 12hh SHP 
Small Pony – Pony Bridle. Usually wearing 5’0″ Rugs

• S/M - Around 13.2hh, 13hh SHP, Larger Sec B, 13.2 Show Pony (Bigger Fronted) Pony Bridle lower holes. Usually Wearing 5’3″ or 5’6″ Rugs

• M - Around 14.2hh, 14hh SHP, Section C, Exmoor, Fell, 14.2 Riding Pony, Small Arab Pony lower holes -Cob Bridle middle/higher holes. Wearing 5’6″ to 5’9″ Rugs

• M/L - Around 15hh-15.2hh, SHP, Finer TB, Small Highland,  Anglo Arab, larger Sec D, Andalusian type, Sports horse, Quarterhorse Connemara type wearing Cob (middle/lower holes - Full Bridle (middle - higher holes). Usually wearing 6’0″ to 6’3″ Rugs

• L - Around 16.2hh Large sports horse/IDX, Large Spanish horse, Sports horse, Lightweight Show Cob, Full Size Bridle on middle/lower holes. Usually wearing a 6’6″ to 6’9″ Rugs

• XL - Up to 17.2 Irish Draft, Large Warmblood, Heavy Show Cob, middleweight Hunter, Extra Full size Bridle (middle/lower holes), Usually wearing 6’9″ or 7’0″ Rugs

• XXL - 17.2hh+, Heavyweight Hunter, Shire, Clydesdale, Percheron, 7’3″+ Rugs, made to measure Bridle

• fully breathable
• water repellent
• heavy shower proof
• lightweight, stretch fabric
• durable, cool & comfortable
• prevents coat bleaching in the sun
• dust & dirt protection

Check out the Snuggy Sweet Itch Information Video HERE (Featuring the Headless Sweet Itch Hood)!

Please make sure to study our Fitting Advice and Size Guide pages for further information. You will also find helpful videos on fitting your product properly.

• machine wash
• up to 40 degrees cycle
• fast spin
• can be refitted damp

(tumble dry not recommended)