Fly problem - sheath area

[dilbert]

hi, just wondering if anyone can offer any words of advice.

My NF gelding came to me last summer with horrid sweet itch, which for the most part we got under control and he now has a lovely mane and tail. He's got his sweet itch rug on already as the midges have been out.

The main problem though is his sheath area - he kicks at it when it's itchy and it's already got a few sore scabby bits on it despite having neem oil and fly spray a plenty on him.

Does anyone have any suggestions for protecting the area or preventing the irritation?

 

[tallyho!]

Have you tried applying unpasteurised apple cider vinegar to the area? It is supposed to soothe skin and repel flies.

My boy did not have sweet itch but got annihilated by black flies on his sheath. I tried many lotions and potions but read about acv. It actually worked wonders. I Started to feed it to him and we had less of a fly problem. Last year he did not wear a fly mask as he had done every other year.

You could try mixing it with cream, or citronella oil to ward them off. Sudocream is good.

I am a huge fan of acv and sudocream! It's worth a try.

 

[dilbert]

Thank you that's worth a try

 

[pigpony]

Snuggy hood do a sheath attachment for their rugs. You'd have to wash it daily otherwise I'd imagin it'd end up attracting flies etc

 

[MerrySherryRider]

Sudocrem deters flies and midges and soothes bites. Also protects my pink sheathed boy from sun burn on his delicate bits.

 

[dilbert]

Cheers, I have udder cream which I guess is very similar to sudocream.....

 

[katherine1975]

I use nettex itch stop on both my mares and this seems to stop them from being bitten.

 

[flying solo]

I use udder cream, works great for me.