Is It Sweet Itch?

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Horse125

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Hi all, first post so bear with me!

Over the past couple of months my horse has been itching his mane and tail, this is only when he is in the stable as field has electric fencing all round. If he is tied up outside his stable, he will scratch his mane continuously on the post by the door as has now resulted in his main becoming very thin and it is rubbed out at the base. Today I had a good look at his tail and there is lots of dandruff on it (same with his mane) as well as a cut from where he has been itching. A couple of weeks ago I gave both his mane and tail a thorough wash with a tea-tree shampoo, this didn't seem to make a difference and he still continued to rub. Today when I gave him his feed, when put in the stable he immediately itched his mane and tail and didn't go for his food, this is very unlike him as he will do anything for food! It's also affecting his hind end as there are visible rub marks. I haven't had any experience with Sweet Itch before but understand that these are the symptoms. Does anyone think this is Sweet Itch or could it be something else? If it is, what's the best course of action? He has garlic and soya oil in his feed, should this be stopped? I know there are many rugs available, is this the best way or are there creams etc? If the answer is a rug or cream, any suggestions? Sorry for all of the questions but I really appreciate any help from people who have experience with it!

Thanks in advance and as I say, I would be extremely grateful for any help, I hate seeing him in pain!
 
Yes it sounds like sweet itch. You definitely need a good fly rug. I'd go for a sweet itch hoody, which is more expensive than a normal fly rug but better and will live years longer than a regular fly rug. Aloe vera gel will soothe the itching for him.
 
It sounds very much like sweet itch but it could be other things...
I would check for lice first and maybe treat for them anyway. Some horses react like this some feeds...alfalfa for instance and high sugar/ cereal feeds.
So, I would first of all check for lice, wash in a medicated shampoo from top to tail and try a low sugar/starch diet.
In the mean time, I would treat as if it is sweet itch by covering up in a sweet itch rug. Good one is the Rambo sweet itch hoody but it's expensive (but worth it). A cheaper alternative is the premeier equine one . Try to get one that is 1000 denier as it will be tough and you will need a tough one ATM because she is itchy. it will take a week or two from having the rug on for her the itching to ease up . Electric fencing is a must with sweet itch rugs to prevent them being trashed especially as your mare is itchy.
I use Net Tex Stop Itch cream on any areas that cannot be covered with the rug ie face, sheath/ udders, between front legs, earsn etc.
If you are lucky, it may not be sweet itch and may well get sorted with a good low sugar diet and some minerals (I recommend something like Pro Balance Plus by Progressive Earth).
I have a pony with supposed sweet itch and all the symptoms that has been helped enormously by doing this.
 
Yep sounds like sweet itch, I would rub benzyl benzoate (can order it online) neat on to the skin, then cover with a sweet itch rug. the benzyl benzoate should have an immediate effect (it does with my super itchy mare anyway). Try to keep the horse inside if possible during high levels of midge flies (normally at dawn and dusk). I would certainly try the benzyl benzoate first though- just apply with gloves and rub right in to the skin! My mare has it very bad, but only on her mane and tail. My friend's has sweetitch all over and I think her horse has steroid injections
 
Thank you all, I have just bought the Rambo sweet itch hoody and will try the other suggestions to soothe and treat it. Will keep on top of it and hopefully he won't be as itchy soon!
 
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