fly rugs for sweet itch

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pachypach

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I have a pony 14.2 who is very itchy, I think it may be sweet itch (got her last year, but only showed itching signs last autumn, then again this march onwards).
I have tried various lotions fly repellants etc, but she is still itchy. The is electric fencing in her field, and just the field shelter she can itch on so not too bad (can't move that!)
she started off itching her face, so thought it was something else, vet said parasites, but after de-lousing then treating for ringworm, shes still itching.
so unless she's developed an allergy to something (havent changed feed or field since the start), I can't see what else it could be
any ideas anyone?
if it is sweet itch I cant stable her (she hates it and goes mad locked in), so I need to look at fly rugs
looked at the boett rugs, but budget wont stretch that far at the moment.
anyone got any recommendations for type/make of rug, pref one which covers most of her parts?
thanks
 
I know they are expensive but the Boett rugs are really excellent. I wouldn't change to anything else even if they are cheaper.
 
Rambo Sweet Itch Hoodies are really good rugs, withstand any rubbing and wash up like new every time. When you wash a fly rug use something like NuuMed NuuWash as its for the itchy scratchy sensitive skinned horses. Believe me they last ages, my friend uses them for her horse. Think they are about £95 or so, they used to be. You can also get waterproof liners for them now so if it rains it doesnt matter. You can obviously get cheaper rugs but they dont last so long.
 
Maybe I've just been very lucky, but I have managed to pick up all 3 of my Boett rugs 2nd hand from classified ads. They also come up for sale on Ebay. They really are worth the extra outlay over a standard fly rug and covering up is what really really helps our mare cope with SI.
 
I have an American quarter horse who itches his belly and doesn't do his back much good!
I have just got him a Snuggy Hoods rug and that is brilliant as it has a lovely wide belly band (though it makes him look like he's about to drop a foal!!). I have had to stitch the neck up as it was baggy - he is 15.2 but takes a 6'9" rug. American horses are an awkward shape where rugs are concerned. I also got a rug and a hood for my other horse who appears to be photosensitive but the hood is rather hard work to put on (should have got the zipped version) and he looks like a jousting horse, and I can't stop laughing, anyway it is easier to have him in during the day! The Snuggy Hoods rugs are a little cheaper than the Boetts (though I have not looked into buying one of these) I can highly recommend them as they have been most helpful, even donated a prize for our breed society raffle. They advertise in Horse & Hound or Google 'Snuggy Hoods'. Good luck.
 
I have a shetland that I rescued that had terrible sweet itch, when he came we couldn't touch him he was that sore and he would roll and thrash around to itch and give himself nosebleeds. I still say to this day that a boett saved his life and still does. To look at him now you wouldn't know he had sweet itch when he hasn't got his boett on but he does have to live in it 24/7. We got his from solva-icelandics and is called The DeMeulenkamp, they are slightly cheaper than the boetts but just as good. I noticed robinsons now make a similar one but I don't know what sort of quality they are. We have also found that brewers yeast helps with him too.
You really have to 'prevent' rather than 'cure'.
Hope this helps.
 
ann82 said:
We have also found that brewers yeast helps with him too.
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You can start feeding a marmite sandwich every morning too - I beleive it's the vitamin B in them that acts as a fly repellant seeping through the skin. You need to feed one every day to keep up the resistance. I use one slice of bread and spread it quite thickly with marmite. If you know anyone with a cash & carry card (Costco or Bookers) get them to get you a big tub of marmite in there.

I bought a 2nd hand Boett through a user on here, so you could put up a 'wanted' thread and see if anyone has one.
 
Can anyone recommend a good fly rug that:
1. doesn't have a combined hood
2. fits horses that are fairly broad across the shoulder
3. are hard wearing?

I've been using a Weatherbeeta one but he's now ripped two of them and they're just not that durable. Thanks
 
I use the Snuggy Hoods SI. I only use the bodies as their SI is more on the tail and belly rather than the neck, plus their manes are very long and I worry about them being rubbed or getting far too hot. I use lots of very oily home made spray on this area.

The thing for me with the Snuggy bodies is the sheath/udder covers. Yes with the boy's version you do need to take it off each day and give it a quick rinse, but these covers have made a huge difference to my two. Farra no longer has bleeding boobs and outie belly button and Stinky does not rub his belly and sheath raw.

I do have the hoods which are great the night before shows and I do put them on if the midges are very bad, but not 24 x 7 like I do with the bodies.

Their repair service is great and reasonsable and they will also adjust rugs for those horses that are "not off the shelf" fitting types.
 
Do you leave the sheath cover on 24/7? What about when they wee?
I have a horse with sweetitch, he gets bitten on the sheath but I don't cover it, just put netex salve on it.
He has been a lot better this year though, I have been feeding him Brewers yeast for a year, it seems to be helping.
 
We have two sweet itch ponies. Rambo sweet itch hoodies are amazing! I would buy one size bigger than normal.. I've bought a few second hand from E bay. Its always handy to have a spare - for really wet days if they liveout... I've even bought them for our non-sweet itch horses as they out live a normal fly rug by about 3 rugs, and are therefore worth the outlay! I use aloe vera gel on their itchy bits, and also give them 3 piriton twice a day on hot and wet days when there are lots of midges. Biting fly and midge creams in the crest of the mane and top of the tail helps too. Hope that helps.xx
 
The cover has a fine mesh "sack" that their willy goes into when they wee. Stinky peed within 5 minutes of having the sheath cover on. You really do need to take it off each day and give it a quick rinse but it is a 5 minute job and it can go straight back on as the material dries very quickly. I wash it once a week in a bucket properly with soap, and the second week it goes in the washing machine with the rug.

This has been the only solution that has worked for him - I have tried covering in sudocream, various lotions and potions, but he would still rub until he got infected sores. This is the second year, and he still has a furry belly, no sores and is much happier for wearing it.
 
The cover has a fine mesh "sack" that their willy goes into when they wee. Stinky peed within 5 minutes of having the sheath cover on. You really do need to take it off each day and give it a quick rinse but it is a 5 minute job and it can go straight back on as the material dries very quickly. I wash it once a week in a bucket properly with soap, and the second week it goes in the washing machine with the rug.

This has been the only solution that has worked for him - I have tried covering in sudocream, various lotions and potions, but he would still rub until he got infected sores. This is the second year, and he still has a furry belly, no sores and is much happier for wearing it.
 
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