What is Summer eczema? Summer Eczema occurs primarily in the months of March through November, "depending on your geographic location". It makes itself noticeable through intense scratching and rubbing of the tail and mane area. Usually the initial symptoms of Summer Eczema are noticed too late. Only when the mane looks scruffy and hair on top of the tail is missing and the first open sores show, is Eczema recognized as such. Further more the animals display increased defensive movements against flying insets (e.g. head shaking and kicking towards the belly). The mid-line of the belly might be thickened and sometimes even bloody, open sores appear on t he croup or other locations of the body. The horse owner will now realize that mosquitoes and other flying insects easily agitate his horse. The animal’s normal eating habit is impaired (endless pacing). They move from one place to the next and if given the opportunity will go into a shelter. Soon weight loss is evident. Causes: Our current knowledge indicates several causes and factors that trigger the onset of Summer Eczema. • Environment • Insects • Metabolism      Pollution, climate changes, sun, acid rain: long time owners of eczema horses know just how much the course of the summer is a determining factor in Eczema. During extreme dry and warm summers it is much easier to care for and treat the eczema horse. Bad "Eczema Years" are those years in which rain and sun alternate and consequently the biting insects find excellent breeding conditions to propagate.