Itchy hind legs, if it’s not mites what could it be?

[little_critter]

My mare has very itchy hind legs, they seem worst between hock and stifle.
Im treating for mites but that doesn’t seem to be improving the situation.
ive clipped the legs and there’s no scabs or dryness, the skin looks normal.
ill keep treating for mites for the minute, but is there anything else that could be the cause?

 

[Barton Bounty]

Have you tried a spray of apple cider vinegar? Could be an allergy?

 

[Highmileagecob]

I gave my cob a good scrub with Selsun 2.5% shampoo on day 1, day 5 and day 10 to break the mite life cycle, then scrubbed legs monthly for six months. After that I only saw him scratching and stamping if new itchy cobs moved on the yard, and introduced the owners to the shampoo routine. It has worked for my lad, and he has been itch free for over eight years now.

 

[SEL]

What are you feeding? I always assumed linseed was good for skin until I ran out and the itchiness stopped within days

 

[little_critter]

What are you feeding? I always assumed linseed was good for skin until I ran out and the itchiness stopped within days

Not much! She’s a good doer so GWF balancer and a handful of chaff (currently Alpha A oil) but has previously been Dengie Healthy Hooves.
I’ve been feeding a handful of marigold and cleever for the last 2 months in the hope they might help.

 

[SEL]

Not much! She’s a good doer so GWF balancer and a handful of chaff (currently Alpha A oil) but has previously been Dengie Healthy Hooves.
I’ve been feeding a handful of marigold and cleever for the last 2 months in the hope they might help.

Try knocking out the alfalfa and replacing with a plain grass chaff. For some reason it can be a trigger with certain horses. I think Dengie has less alfalfa in it so it could have been the feed change.

My littlest pony lives on grass pellets and oat chaff to avoid any reactions. It's amazing how even a small change in feed can start her chewing her legs

 

[Equi]

Alfalfa is the devil. It will be causing itch.

 

[little_critter]

Thanks. I’ll cut out the alfalfa….nothing to lose

 

[little_critter]

Well something has worked. I gave her a good groom with a plastic curry comb today. Usually when I hit ‘the spot’ she trembles at the knee and tells me to scratch, scratch harder!!
Absolutely nothing from her today and YO hasn’t noticed her terrorising wheelbarrows or trying to push over fence posts recently.
She had a second dowsing of deosect last weekend and also stopped alfalfa at the same time.
One of those seem to have worked.

 

[Highmileagecob]

Deosect is of limited use, as mites are not blood feeders. They live on debris and dead skin, so once that is removed you break the life cycle. It may be worth trying the shampoo if the itch returns. Hope she stays comfortable.

 

[little_critter]

Deosect is of limited use, as mites are not blood feeders. They live on debris and dead skin, so once that is removed you break the life cycle. It may be worth trying the shampoo if the itch returns. Hope she stays comfortable.

I googled the shampoo suggestion when you mentioned it last. Apparently it’s been discontinued in the uk.

Why is Selsun out of stock? Has it been discontinued?
Selsun dandruff shampoo 2.5 has unfortunately now been discontinued (September 2022). Due to its popularity and effectiveness, this is very frustrating for anyone who relies on this effective dandruff shampoo. The reviews showed this product was very effective at treating dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis, and Selsun was the only product available widely with the strength of selenium 2.5% in the market.

 

[Highmileagecob]

It is available on line, and I have bought mine from India before now.

 

[chaps89]

I’ve used neutrogena t-gel shampoo in the past on scabby legs (horse) and itchy scalp (me) with success so that might be an alternative to the selsun to have as an option if you need it in the future.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

My cob has just rubbed one of her back legs. I thought we'd sorted it out by putting her onto ForagePlus but she has just moved off the summer grazing and has found fresh grass on the winter field. It seems that there was more sugar than expected at this time of the year, so the Winter Balancer didn't quite balance. Fortunately she has only rubbed once, so I am concentrating on healing her broken skin now.