Flower of sulphur for sweet itch

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Pablo'smum

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Has any one used this for sweet itch or anyone tried any lotions or poisons that work in the mane? I use NAF new itch cream on his body and it works great but not easy to get into the base of his mane. Also use Deosect which helps and linseed meal in his feed.
 
I've been using neem oil on mine this year and finding it very good if rather smelly. The body heat thins the oil and it spreads through the hair quite well. Of course the first line of defence is to cover up as much as possible with a decent rug, but I oil all the bits that aren't covered besides putting in the mane and tail roots. I also feed linseed and used deosect last year, though it may be that I don't need it this year.
 
I use Net Tex Stop Itch and/or Coopers for the areas that I can't cover up with a rug.
 
Gloi said:
Yes :P After a bit you get used to it though, but I'm not sure the people around you do.
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I have a bottle of the stuff, and before I realised how vile it was, I used it on a rash on my arm. I didn't want to sleep with myself for a week!
 
Yes, it's a shame that it is this that is working so well on our ponies and not something that smells of lavender. Still, I can understand why it keeps the bugs away!
 
Gloi said:
Yes, it's a shame that it is this that is working so well on our ponies and not something that smells of lavender. Still, I can understand why it keeps the bugs away!
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I hate the smell of lavender (unless its a proper lavender bush) as well. no hope for me!
 
I'm not saying that this is the answer for everyone. There are thoughts in some circles that sweetitch isn't as straightforward as we might think and that it can be aggravated by different circumstances. I have a 21 year old pony who has had sweetitch every year since he came to me aged 12. Rugs seemed to aggravate it because he sweated under them, and every year I've managed to keep it just under control with various fly sprays and creams. However, he's always rubbed his neck, mane and tail and sometimes his belly to a certain extent. I started treatments in February to March depending on weather and visible midges.
Touching wood madly here! So far, this is the second summer where he's completely clear. He's got one tiny rub beside on ear, but any horse could get itchy with the bugs we've got buzzing around. The main change was that the winter before last I changed the diet my horses have. This pony now has just Fast Fibre, micronised linseed, Pro Hoof and a little bit of turmeric once a day. He has a handful of Top Spec Top Chop Lite in that for a bit of texture. That has alfalfa in it, which I've always tried to avoid in the past as can aggravate itching, but touch wood we seem OK. The other change is to using Deosect, diluted as per instructions, as fly spray.
As I say, there's no "science" behind this, all I can say is that this is what has changed and something has worked. When he came to me this pony came with his rugs and dire warnings of what would happen if he wasn't covered up well for the summer. He's now got a mane and tail in summer for the first time ever!
This is also the first summer when he hasn't had a blistery nose from what I first thought was sunburn. Then the vet diagnosed an allergy, and gave pills which helped, but his nose still suffered. (Vet confirmed it wasn't due to buttercups or other photosensitivity). This could either be due to the amazing sunblock I'm using from Australia, or could it be due to the more major changes in his life due to the different diet?
Just food for thought.
 
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