incredibly itchy pony...

[only_me]

kk my pony has suddenly cum up in little lumps all over that luk like fly bites but he has a rug on so it cant be flys....

they are really itchy and he has caused himself to bleed by itching so much - so i washed him in hypo-allergic shampoo and put a nice fluffy fleece rug under his normal high neck rug.

the only thing that has changed in the past week is that he has been given a mix called "wendys mix" which is molasses, oats and maize. hes had this before when he was in hard work, but i have taken him off this to see if that was the cause.

do you know anytyhing else i cud do or try to help stop the itching?

 

[TGM]

I used to have a horse that came up in lumps like this when fed barley - so is possibly feed related and could be linked to the oats or maize. (Would think the maize is more likely being highest in starch).

 

[wizzi901]

fly rugs wont stop fly bites or midges, my big boy has sweet itch and this year has been the worst ever, I have had him 9 years! - its the warm humid weather I think, he has even taken most of his facial hair off! - I put masks on, rugs, potions and lotions and he comes in at night to avoid midges etc...but still itchy as hell, he actually itches his tail that badly when he comes in that I leave his fly rug on! - otherwise he will get sore.

Its miserable for those horses affected but my new thing to try this month recommended by a scientific potions friend! Is Nettex, Summer Salve, it doesnt stop sweet itch but DOES she claims, relieve 99% of the symptoms, will let you know how we got on!!

 

[miss_horsemad]

Hi. Yeah i know a number of horses that become itchy when fed feeds such as Barley or Maize etc. And just by taking them off the fed can stop the itching.

Also know horses to come up in lumps that look like fly bites if they get to hot.. although dont think it would cause the excessive itching.

Are they definately not fly bites?? A couple of ponies down our yard have all had allergic reactions to the flies this year and never had it before. One of them had a bite on the face and affected the whole body (the one bite caused lumps all over the body). Another had a bite on the kneck and caused the pony to rub himself raw all over. Both of those cases had veterinary attention because by rubbing so much, the bites were getting infected and were perscribed anti biotics, anti inflammatorys, antihistimines, hypo-allergic shampoos etc and lots of fly spray... Vet also said he had seen loads of other cases the same and that sweet itch was a major problem this summer, being worse than ever..

Its so horrible to see them rubbing away - youve done the right thing by taking him off the feed to rule that out. And bathing him was good too. Id recommend trying to bathe each of the lumps to him soothe them and keep them clean, and keep flies away as much as possible... altho that not easy and flies can still get them through some rugs and where the rugs dont cover..

Good luck!!