Bad reaction to flies & fly spray recommendation for sensitive skin :(

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Grace has come up in lots and lots of lumps after being out in the field all day today. They are worse under her belly where there are just dozens of lumps and I am pretty sure they are bites because around her udder there are lots of bumps with little pin pricks of blood where they have bitten.

Someone has suggested sulphur powder to help lower the reaction to the bites, but has anyone else heard of this? (It could be sulphur something powder
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) Apparently it lowers the blood temperature therefore makes them less sensitive to the bites???

Also, Grace has really sensitive skin, so does anyone have a fly spray recommendation for sensitive skinned horses (I think chestnuts are quite sensitive anyway).

Thanks,

Rebecca x
 
I have a mare with very sensitive skin, she has an allergy to midge bites, but not sweet itch. They bring her up in lots of lumps under the skin, but are not itchy. To control them, I use steroids. However to keep the midges away, I use a mixture of baby oil, a little vinegar, some lemongrass, teatree and eucalyptus. This works really well, seeing as she is allergic to citronella oil and it attracts wasps & bees. Hope this helps
 
I promise I will take some photos of the little man this week... I keep forgetting my camera
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He has grown up so much in the past few weeks
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Sorry Becki I cant give any advice about the sulphur etc but as you are aware Chantin has very sensitive skin. Ive tried quite a few fly sprays some with lots of effect other not so good. The ones I found that work and that she doesnt have any reaction to are: Phazer (surprisingly as its got lots of chemicals in), Horsewise No flies and Barrier Super Plus. Currently using the Horsewise one as the saddlery didnt have the Phazer in - its seems to work quite well and has a normal smell about it compared to the Phazer.
You name it I have tried it. Ive got a bottle of coopers but havent dared try it on her yet. Id also like to see if the new Naf Deet actually works along with the Flygard.
 
Yes just thanks. Had them taken out yesterday. Wasnt very pleasant as one of them was stuck to the bone and didnt want to come out without a fight. My surgeon wont let me ride for another 3 weeks - theres a local show that I wanted to take Chantin to to see how she behaved but its a week on Saturday and she hasnt really been ridden since March so maybe ill only get to play trailer loading at the show instead.
My finger hurts more now than it did when I had the wires in - lots of physio to be booked so I can get my finger working and bending etc so I get as much movement as poss back in it.
 
That sounds awful
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At least you know when you will be able to ride now, which I think gives you an aim for all the hard work involved in the physio. It's only 21 days, when you think about it like that it's not long at all.

The Barrier one had a massive reaction on Hannah and she is not really that sensitive skinned. It went all dry and patchy and very very hot and sore too
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This Deet one sounds interesting... might email them and see what they say.
 
yes its not nice but ive got 2 little dots now on the side of my finger which looks a lot nicer than the 2 wires sticking out!!
I used that Carrier one on all my horses and it didnt give any of them a reaction. I cant believ it affected Hannah - maybe it was something to do with her hormones etc?
Yes the deet does sound interesting - it was a toss up between the horsewise and the deet but took the recommendation of saddler. Let me know what they have to say
 
Can I ask what fly spray you was using? A friends horse had a very bad reaction to a fly-spray last summer; the reaction was the start of a series of illnesses which led to him being put down only 2 months later. I would be interested to know if it was the same one!
 
[ QUOTE ]
Can I ask what fly spray you was using? A friends horse had a very bad reaction to a fly-spray last summer; the reaction was the start of a series of illnesses which led to him being put down only 2 months later. I would be interested to know if it was the same one!

[/ QUOTE ]

Thats awful
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I stick with the homemade recipe which works really well on May and she is very sensitive. Vinegar, cold Tea, SSS oil, Tea Tree, Eucalyptus, Lavender and a squirt of washing up liquid!
 
Would a good fly rug be a better idea? I know they're expensive but it might be worth looking at a Boett or De Meulenkamp (sold by Solva Icelandics & very similar to a Boett but £50 cheaper).
 
I used avons skin so soft dry oil spray on my mare. She to was very sensitive and her skinliterally peeled off when I used any flay spray. This seemed to work well for her
 
I have a good fly rug, but I have had experience of wasps and fies getting stuck underneath them... but I will use one when the flies are really bad on Grace.

Avons Skin So Soft was one which Hannah reacted badly to, as was the Barrier one too (Grace also had a reaction to this one too). I do usually make my own but I was just worried that she might have a reaction to that too...
 
Sulphur is excellent for skin problems. You could try what I use which is 1 tablespoon of sudocrem. 1 teaspoon of sulphur and 5 drops of teatree oil mixed together - great for mudfever, lumps and bumps.

My fly spray receipe may be worth a try - I use it on horses, dogs and humans but do try a patch test first.

Good website for ordering oils is:

http://www.essential oils direct

5 caps of dettol - from a 500ml size bottle

250 ml of Avon Skin so Soft and fresh - 500 ml bath oil. This can be halved if midges not too bad. I am presently using one third of a bottle which is working well.

1 teaspoon of citronella oil - can go up to 1 ½ if midges bad.
1 teaspoon of eucalyptus oil
1 teaspoon of lavender oil
1 teaspoon of tea tree oil
1 teaspoon cedarwood oil

Put into a 1 litre spray bottle. Top up to make 1 litre with either water or cold tea. Shake well before spraying and give a quick shake after every few squirts to make sure the oil is mixed with the water.

Spray on twice a day using enough to leave a fine mist on the coat. Ok for round sensitive areas.

Avon are doing Skin so Soft on special at the moment.
 
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