Horse only itchy when wearing a rug?!

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Ellietotz

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My mare is currently destroying fly rugs as every time I put one on whether it is the cotton style Kool Coat or Aussie Amigo Allrounder or just a mesh one, the moment it goes on, she is twitching and itchy. The moment it comes off, she isn't itchy! She's okay with tack on too.

I don't think she has lice but I've treated her anyway with deosect and had a couple of baths in Dermoline Insecticidal shampoo and tea tree over the last couple of months but it's made no difference.

No sign of flaky/dry skin or infection. No bald patches, sores or bites.

What could it be?
 
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Ellietotz said:
My mare is currently destroying fly rugs as every time I put one on whether it is the cotton style Kool Coat or Aussie Amigo Allrounder or just a mesh one, the moment it goes on, she is twitching and itchy. The moment it comes off, she isn't itchy! She's okay with tack on too.

I don't think she has lice but I've treated her anyway with deosect and had a couple of baths in Dermoline Insecticidal shampoo and tea tree over the last couple of months but it's made no difference.

No sign of flaky/dry skin or infection. No bald patches, sores or bites.

What could it be?
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Mabey she's too hot. The weather is a lot warmer than normal. Even a light rug might be too much for her.
 
I would agree with the horse is probably hot, one of mine hates the feel of a rug in hot weather

Another possibility is has the rug been washed in something that's causing irritation? Bio washing powder and perfumed fabric conditioner can cause itchiness
 
Echo that - what was the rug last washed in? Even if it was the stuff you normally use in this exceptional weather it might be too much for her and making her itchy.

Does she absolutely have to have a rug at the moment? She is clearly uncomfortable.
 
If she isn't itchy with a rug, why are you using one? I'd try without one and just stick to fly spray until it cools down a but. Even the mesh rugs can add a lot of warmth and I Don't find that they sit comfortably on a lot of horses - the material.isn't always very forgiving.
 
Theocat said:
If she isn't itchy with a rug, why are you using one? I'd try without one and just stick to fly spray until it cools down a but. Even the mesh rugs can add a lot of warmth and I Don't find that they sit comfortably on a lot of horses - the material.isn't always very forgiving.
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If you’ve done her with Deosect she won’t need a rug for flies as she’s already protected.

She’s trying to tell you she’d rather be naked :)
 
I haven't washed the rugs in anything, they are new. She's wearing it as otherwise she will burn to death. Perhaps I'll just smother her in filtabac!
 
Like others have said, too hot.
If you can’t take the rug off I’d leave her in. My lad’s in during the day as he’s cooking under his sweet itch rug but I can’t put him out without it.
 
Ellietotz said:
I haven't washed the rugs in anything, they are new. She's wearing it as otherwise she will burn to death. Perhaps I'll just smother her in filtabac!
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What makes you think that? Unless she has particularly fine hair which doesn't cover her skin fully under where the rug would fit, that is what her own coat is for. I have had both grey and piebald (with a lot of white) horses here which have been absolutely fine in 30 deg, with no real shade. I did put sunscreen on the grey's nose but their own coats did their job.
 
My horse started to have twitchy skin every time I put on his fly sheet. The reason...a single strand of loose thread. Once that had been snipped off, he was OK. Never underestimate how sensitive a horses skin can be.
 
Ellietotz said:
I haven't washed the rugs in anything, they are new. She's wearing it as otherwise she will burn to death. Perhaps I'll just smother her in filtabac!
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Leave the rug off.
If she is pink skinned and prone to burning stable her during the day.
 
Ellietotz said:
I haven't washed the rugs in anything, they are new. She's wearing it as otherwise she will burn to death. Perhaps I'll just smother her in filtabac!
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The coat of an animal protects it not only from the cold but also from the heat. By rugging you are preventing the natural coat from working correctly.

Your horse is itching because it is too hot. It will not burn to death unless you are keeping it in an unsuitable paddock with no shade. Sadly, with the current fad for sole turnout we see too many tiny squares of electric fenced turnout with no shade or shelter from the elements.
 
Mine has lots of white hair and pink skin. Hes fully clipped. Hes not burnt anywhere. I've never heard of one burning like that unless something is wrong.
 
I don't know what colour OPs horse is but my neighbour has a blue eyed cream who does burn if not rugged. However it does sound like OPs horse is not comfortable in it. Usually, sunblock on the pink bits is enough to prevent burning.
 
Pearlsasinger said:
What makes you think that? Unless she has particularly fine hair which doesn't cover her skin fully under where the rug would fit, that is what her own coat is for. I have had both grey and piebald (with a lot of white) horses here which have been absolutely fine in 30 deg, with no real shade. I did put sunscreen on the grey's nose but their own coats did their job.
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Because she has been burnt before and still does if exposed for long enough.
She has an extremely thin coat and sensitive pink skin so unfortunately burns easily.
 
sport horse said:
The coat of an animal protects it not only from the cold but also from the heat. By rugging you are preventing the natural coat from working correctly.

Your horse is itching because it is too hot. It will not burn to death unless you are keeping it in an unsuitable paddock with no shade. Sadly, with the current fad for sole turnout we see too many tiny squares of electric fenced turnout with no shade or shelter from the elements.
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Unfortunately, her natural coat doesn't prevent her getting burnt if she is stood out in it long enough. She does have her own shelter though. I will just stick with spraying sunscreen on her.
 
Nudibranch said:
I don't know what colour OPs horse is but my neighbour has a blue eyed cream who does burn if not rugged. However it does sound like OPs horse is not comfortable in it. Usually, sunblock on the pink bits is enough to prevent burning.
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She is skewbald. Extremely sensitive, pink skinned, never had much of a coat, bit of a wuss TB Arab Warmblood x!
 
personally if you can I would have her in during the heat of the day without a rug. I would use sunscreen and also wash her very regularly. I am not sure any of that is possible where you are but I think if possible it might help. good luck
 
Is she itchy in any rug, or just the fly rugs? If it was just fly rugs, and she's not a rug-wrecker, then I'd be tempted to turn out in a summer sheet.

If she does start to get itchy in that, then you will have to leave her in when the UV is high.
 
Ellietotz said:
I haven't washed the rugs in anything, they are new. She's wearing it as otherwise she will burn to death. Perhaps I'll just smother her in filtabac!
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That may be the issue. With human clothes they recommend washing before wear. The rug could have all sorts of chemicals on it from manufacture. I would give it a wash in non bio.
 
Maybe wash them with a fabric conditioner, or something to eliminate static. OH's pony used to wear a Rambo hoody, we both got a whopper of a static shock when I pulled it off he the other day. Could be the fabric is clinging and she doesn't like the sensation?
 
Beausmate said:
Is she itchy in any rug, or just the fly rugs? If it was just fly rugs, and she's not a rug-wrecker, then I'd be tempted to turn out in a summer sheet.

If she does start to get itchy in that, then you will have to leave her in when the UV is high.
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It's full mesh rugs and polycotton rugs. She isn't a rug wrecker usually. Isn't a summer sheet the same as the polycotton ones? Hay feeding now everywhere is burnt out to nothing but dust so hopefully that will tempt her to stand in her shelter during the day munching instead. I could keep her in but it's likely she would get upset being the only one in when everyone is out.
 
Red-1 said:
That may be the issue. With human clothes they recommend washing before wear. The rug could have all sorts of chemicals on it from manufacture. I would give it a wash in non bio.
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Hmm that's a good shout actually! She is sensitive afterall and normal turn out rugs tend to have antibacterial lining, I think anyway.
 
Ellietotz said:
It's full mesh rugs and polycotton rugs. She isn't a rug wrecker usually. Isn't a summer sheet the same as the polycotton ones? Hay feeding now everywhere is burnt out to nothing but dust so hopefully that will tempt her to stand in her shelter during the day munching instead. I could keep her in but it's likely she would get upset being the only one in when everyone is out.
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You can get cotton summer sheets. Although I did have problems finding a full-neck version.

If you do find one, check with the seller that it is 100% cotton - I ordered one from Derby House and it's polycotton!
 
Ours are inside during the day to get them out of this heat.
Mine has sensitive skin and I always wash rugs/ numnahs etc with product designed for babies and use dettol laundry rinse.
 
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