Anyone else’s horses really itchy at the moment?

spotty_pony2

spotty_pony2

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My boy seemed to have an allergic reaction to a fly bite at the beginning of the week. I’ve got some steroid cream from the Vet, have washed him in an antibacterial, anti itch shampoo and am covering him in a sweet itch spray currently. Hes also on 15 antihistamines morning and evening but he is still itchy! I’ve managed to stop him itching the patches he’s made sore with the steroid cream but he’s rubbing his back on trees and even on his haynet when in. He’s never suffered with sweet itch before and at 26 is this something he could just develop or is it likely he could still be suffering the after affects from the bite? 🤔
 
My Gelding (24) has always had sweet itch. I've tried everything on the planet, and the only thing that worked was the homemade stuff I made myself. I whacked a load of teatree, lavendar, citronella and rosemary (20 or so drops of each - you prob need less if you get better quality) essential oils with baby oil and 1/2 tsp washing up liquid, topped up with water and sprayed it one. Added the same essential oils to melted coconut oil+baby oil and rubbed it on itchy patches. Add same essential oils to shampoo and it works a treat if used once a week.
 
spotty_pony2 said:
My boy seemed to have an allergic reaction to a fly bite at the beginning of the week. I’ve got some steroid cream from the Vet, have washed him in an antibacterial, anti itch shampoo and am covering him in a sweet itch spray currently. Hes also on 15 antihistamines morning and evening but he is still itchy! I’ve managed to stop him itching the patches he’s made sore with the steroid cream but he’s rubbing his back on trees and even on his haynet when in. He’s never suffered with sweet itch before and at 26 is this something he could just develop or is it likely he could still be suffering the after affects from the bite? 🤔
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Do you know what bit him?
 
Theoretically they can develop sweet itch any time, an allergic reaction might set it off? Maybe?

But I think a lot of them are itchy atm. Even the clipped ones seem to have have too much coat due to weather weirdness and the damp then heat then wet then more heat is just nasty. That on top of an allergic reaction I'm not surprised he's tortured 😭 poor boy!
 
My Appy is covered in bites - her neck is a mass of bumps. She does react but I imagine the others are also being bitten just not having such a reaction. I've had the piriton out.
 
seriously festive equine said:
Do you know what bit him?
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No unfortunately, it was on his shoulder under his rug. I had been topping the docks and stinging nettles so I think with a horse fly as they were out or a midge. If he’s no better after the weekend I might have to get vet to give him an antihistamine injection. He’s never like this usually so very strange, although I wonder if his immune system is compromised with him being older now as he’s had a few weird things he’s never had in the last year such as ringworm and mites…
 
This is his shoulder after the 5 mins of itching I caught him doing on the field shelter which I guess is where he was bitten, luckily I managed to stop him and treat it else it would have been worse! The steroid cream is stopping this from itching but Vet has told me not to use it all over if the itch keeps spreading as it still poses a risk of laminitis with it being a steroid cream. Since then a couple of sores appeared on his chest but now it’s mainly his back that’s itchy, and I’m concerned he’s going to end up more sore. There was a bit of a lump under the skin too, if it doesn’t clear up after the weekend I think I’ll contact the Vet to be on the safe side.
 

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I’ve just seen this rug - it has gel insets you can freeze to keep it cool on hot days! I’m not looking another at the moment as just bought one but that sound pretty cool. I do like kramer as being an EU brand rather do design things to be used in a hotter climate. Thought I’d share it in case anybody else is interested!

Functional Fly Rug Cool Down - Fly Rugs - Kramer Equestrian

Functional Fly Rug Cool Down and more of Fly Rugs. At Kramer Equestrian's online shop for horse lovers.
www.kramer.co.uk www.kramer.co.uk
 
SEL said:
Now you've got me wondering if it's actually bites.
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Sorry ! This horse did the same but much more severely and all over her body when on haylage last winter. The pictured reaction is only on both sides of the neck and didn't spread. Disappeared after ceasing the biotin for 3 days. Anyone want a bag of biotin !
 
D has never really considered me much use ... Until this year, this year I must provide scratches at all times particularly butt and under mane scratches. She had a few scabby bits under her forelock during coat change that have stuck around but no hair loss or lumps and she doesn't scratch in the field 🤷 I have bought some biteback stuff but she may just have decided humans have a use?!
 
Mine's itchy ATM. I think he's hooning around on the field, getting sweaty and then itchy. I'd keep him in but it's much cooler in the field than the stables. I've been hosing him on a morning and afternoon which seems to be helping!
 
yes, and he’s well below the
lozzles said:
Have you had him tested for Cushing's? One of the ways ours showed it was getting weird skin issues he'd never had previous
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Yes and he’s nowhere near having it. Vet is very confident he’s not likely to be a cushings candidate now after a few consistent tests well below the levels that would be of concern.
 
Gloi said:
Pony is a bit itchy but I've had bites this week that are driving me crazy. I can't stop scratching despite taking antihistamines
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I must admit so have I, even the dog is itchy so I think it’s most likely just the weather but he is pretty fed up with the high pollen count bless him, he doesn’t enjoy summer and never has!
 
meandmyself said:
Mine's itchy ATM. I think he's hooning around on the field, getting sweaty and then itchy. I'd keep him in but it's much cooler in the field than the stables. I've been hosing him on a morning and afternoon which seems to be helping!
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I did some cold hosing the other day - might have to try that again. He detests being bathed in cold water but at the moment I think the cold water must be quite soothing!
 
Ah that's good news on the Cushing's. Maybe just his immune system isn't quite as good as it was which is why he got the mites etc. hopefully if the heat eases off it will help the itching. Flies do seem awful this year
 
lozzles said:
Ah that's good news on the Cushing's. Maybe just his immune system isn't quite as good as it was which is why he got the mites etc. hopefully if the heat eases off it will help the itching. Flies do seem awful this year
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Yes I think it’s his immune system too, bless him. He is 26 tomorrow!
 
One of mine was diagnosed with sweetitch last year but it just didn't ring true with me, the rubbing wasn't in the common areas and the timing seemed off. She also had sore feet but not to the extent of lami.

I thought they were all signs of generalised inflamation so went slightly insane doing everything I could to research how to reduce it - lots of anti-inflamatory herbs and supplements, no sugar in feed, in during the day to reduce grass sugars, daily exercise. Within a month she was back to normal.

I've done the same this year and no recurrence.
 
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