Help! tail rubbing!!!!

[cloverleaf1985]

Hey. i put my pony in stable overnight last night for the first time since i got him as he is getting fat and when i got there this morning he has rubbed his tail nearly bald!

he has plenty of posts, gates etc in his field that he could rub his tail on and yet he doesn't do it. why is he only doing it in the stable? as far as im aware he doesnt have sweet itch but i cover him head to toe in fly spray anyway. any suggestions on how to stop him doing it?

 

[samp]

Walls are unfortunately a lot easier to scratch on and probably offer more satisfaction, I would wash his tail in case it was flaky and annoying him, then apply a sweet tich product just in case.

 

[cloverleaf1985]

thanks ill give it a go i was thinking of using a medicated shampoo would that help?

 

[Sal_E]

The ultimate solution is Benzyl Benzoate - fab stuff, not expensive (used for humans with scabies I believe!), stops then scratching immediately...

 

[Cadaran]

Yes benzyl benzoate is the best and cheapest and is the main ingredient in Killitch. Previously you could buy it over the counter in a chemists but unfortunately it has now been withdrawn (EU regs I think).

www.petsinmemoriam.co.uk

 

[Kezza]

mine does this out of boredom I think, if I get to the yard after 8.30am in the morning then he does it, I kid you not lol!!! I have managed to keep his tail this year by getting him turned out before 8 ish. He's been in after 8.30 a couple of times and each time he rubs it!

 

[elsielouise]

I'd put some sweet itch lotion on anyway - mine doesn't get sweet itch but EVERY summer randomly rubs tail. the lotion acts as a kind of lubricant and stops the hairs being broken completely off I've found. Get a greasy one and when they rub it slides rather than breaks.

 

[Shilasdair]

Word of warning - benzyl benzoate - I believe its suspected to be carcinogenic (may cause cancer) so you ought to use gloves to apply it.
S

 

[katie_and_toto]

i read somewhere that sudocrem soothes and can help hair to grow back

 

[Vixter]

Benzyl Benzoate I use as mare does same thing, and it work wanders...

 

[kerilli]

smother it in something soothing, or at least very sticky/oily so the midges can't get through and make it itch more. Camrosa is good, Neem oil is good, Avon Skin So Soft is supposed to be excellent. Even a really generous coating of Vaseline would work. Benzyl Benzoate can sting.
it's a terrible year for mozzies/midges, lots of horses who have never rubbed before are doing it.
feeding Brewer's Yeast is supposed to help a lot, fwiw.

 

[conniegirl]

wouldnt touch benzyl benzoate with a barge pole, its carcinogenic.

Nivea so soft is very good for itchy ponies

 

[Niffer]

I use benzyl benzoate too (now worried about it being carcinogenic!). I also use Body Shop's Ginger anti dandruff shampoo as it does clean the tail well and gets rid of flaky skin. However I do worry as it's not tested on animals! However, my horse is sensitive but has no reaction to it. He really enjoys the benzyl ben though as I rub it in for him; it seems to soothe him and he doesn't rub for at least 24 hours after using it. I think it repels flys too (they probably think it's cancerous and keep clear!).