Itchy Horse - any ideas, at my wits end!

Hi, have a really close look at the ingredients of the food, some have changed recently i.e. Protexin changed grass meal to alfalfa meal. Safe and Sound has multiple different ingredients in it. I would personally try something like Just Grass, cut all supplements for a bit and maybe add a really simple balancer (I use Equilibra 500 and have had great results as no soya or alfalfa, forage plus was not good for my two (skin mainly in fact).). See how he goes on just that. Hope it helps. C
 
I got rid of safe and sound and have been using fast fibre, literally just enough to hide his supplements in. But I can't believe that about protexin... I'm pretty sure he had started to pick up. ... Then I ordered the new version of protexin. I will go and check my order history and diary now to see if this ties in! Thanks so much Rocky :-)
 
They've been a little sneaky with the changes. Fast fibre is still a mix of lots of stuff. I really would have a look at something like Readigrass or Just Grass or the Halleys chops. This way you can cut all extras and take him back to absolute basics. Effectively, grasses. If you ever want to chat just pm and I'll pm you my e-mail/phone. :)
 
Rocky01 said:
They've been a little sneaky with the changes. Fast fibre is still a mix of lots of stuff. I really would have a look at something like Readigrass or Just Grass or the Halleys chops. This way you can cut all extras and take him back to absolute basics. Effectively, grasses. If you ever want to chat just pm and I'll pm you my e-mail/phone. :)
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Having had more than one allergic horse, I agree with this. I have just 'cured' my full-feathered Draft horse of feather mites by cutting haylage out of her diet. She had been treated with Dectomax before we got her, her pasterns are full of scar tissue but the change in diet has made such a difference. I have treated her itchy skin with Equimins Tea-tree Mist to stop the itching until the cycle was broken.
 
Thank you Rocky01, I really do appreciate it. I will have a search for Readigrass etc now and see which I can get locally. I didn't give him his feed last night as I was thinking about cutting everything out and then gradually introducing things back in. I have been reading on here that it can take up to 6 weeks for everything to get out of their systems. I had also changed from Pro hoof to forage plus (after the problems started) so it's interesting you mentioned that.
How long was it after stopping things did you notice a difference? And Pearlsasinger, how about your horse? And thank you pearlsasinger for your reply.

I looked at my calendar last night and noticed he was due a worm count in a few days so I've done that this morning, along with a sellotape test for pinworm, at least that way I can rule it out if he's been tested, despite him already having the treatments, I have been reading how it can be a burger to get rid of.
 
Just a thought a straw allergy can make horses itch. It's added to a lot of feed products. I have changed my chap from alfa-a molasses free onto healthy hooves molasses free as he's a bit overweight and he seems to be itchy again whereas he never itched on the alfa-a.
 
I second those saying to strip the diet right back and feed a straight (unmollassed beet for eg) to carry balancer/supplements. Other things to consider are off grass (if you have a suitable area) and a skin scrape. Is the worming regime robust and up to date? I would also consider soaking hay to reduce sugars in the diet - no sweet treats, a detox diet really. Are you using an impregnated rug, switch to one with no chemicals if you are. Test for allergies to confirm SI if not already done.

ps. I use FP balancer and find it very good but contact Sarah at FP for advice if it doesnt start to help in a month or two, there may be a glaring imbalance in forage or diet not covered by a balancer based on averages.
 
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If he only does this in his stable then I would leave him out if possible. This would enable him to heal and possibly stop the itch scratch cycle.
I would also detox him....nothing but grass to start off with.
Snuggyhoods do a sheath cover for their rugs..an expensive option but may be worth trying.
 
Thanks all.
I'm concerned about the just grass/readigrass etc after reading a fair few threads saying it's rocket fuel! lol He's a good doer so would only be getting enough of whatever feed to mix in supplements. But as I am thinking of cutting all feed out I suppose I don't need to worry about this just yet!

I am going to ask for a skin scrape at the vet visit on wednesday.
Hay is already soaked, although he's not had much hay recently as he's been living out. He now has taken to doing his itching in the field also so not just confined to the stable sadly :(
He doesn't get treats or anything sugary, despite being told how cruel I am! hehe!
He is also muzzled when out on grass - this has been since the grass started coming through

He isn't rugged and I really don't want to have to rug him, he's a very hot horse as he is so I would think rugging would just cause further issues, same for the sheath cover, he gets very hot and sweaty between his thighs so if it was covered I would think it would just make him worse.
I think a detox is definitely the way forward....
 
I am sorry to suggest this but have you considered having him tested for PPID (Cushings). Skin problems and wonky heat regulation are two symptoms.
 
I have had this niggling doubt in the back of my mind as I am sure someone has mentioned this before. He's fine usually but this winter gone was the first time he wasn't fully clipped, so I did wonder whether this could have messed up his bodies way of managing his temperature.
Either way, I have just printed out a free voucher ready for vets tomorrow.

I presume it starts off with just a few symptoms and gradually gets worse as things progress. I'll have to do some more searching! lol
 
What kind of linseed are you feeding him, is it micronized? When I bought my filly last August she became very itchy to the point where she rubbed the hair of the tops of her shoulders and made them very sore (no parasites). Anyway I did a bit of googling and came across this study. It is a specific study against sweet itch allergy but they feed raw, milled linseed. I actually didn't mill mine when I started feeding it to Lucy but she stopped scratching very quickly and within a week she was back to normal and the hair was growing back. Might have been a happy coincidence but it's worth a try if all else fails. You can grind the linseed in a coffee grinder if you want to feed it milled. Oh, this was human grade linseed/flax. Here's a link to the study for interest. Good luck with your boy :)

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC227015/
 
He's on micronised linseed from charnwood. Glad you managed to sort Lucy out and stop her itching. It's so distressing knowing they have an itch they just can't scratch :(
Thank you, I shall have a read now, much appreciated. I think I need to retire so I can research all these things! :D
 
Someone I know gives their itchy pony piriton/anti histamine tablets. Apparently it works for their pony. I hope you manage to get it under control, there's nothing worse than having an itch and constantly scratching. Poor chap.
 
You might need to warn the vet you want testing for PPID as the samples (used to anyway) have to go straight into a cool box. It is a progressive condition but treatment slows it down and alleviates symptoms in many cases which is what may help your pony greatly. The laminitis site and their FB group are great sources of current thinking and management of PPID.

Thanks for that link DG, very good read.
 
Thanks Falconers, I will mention this to the vet tomorrow and see what they say.
And thanks amandap, vets called to confirm the time and I said about the cushings test.

I have been looking at the aloeride but not many reviews on here. Has anyone tried it? It looks good... If it really works, but then so has everything else! One thing I like about it is it can be syringed in so doesn't need to be added to food.
 
Thanks Sealine, my friend text me to let me know so I have it on record, waiting for the OH to finish watching his program so I can see what happens!
 
hi, if you're worried about the readigrass etc, maybe have a look at Halleys, they're unmollased, un anything actually, straw etc chaffs. Maybe try cutting out the balancer completely. It tool my two about 2 weeks to show a difference in coat etc.
 
My mare was itchy. I cut out Alfa a and added global herbs skratch. Also fed her 8 piriton tablets a day for a week. This helped I also used something called main and tail grower. It's a little greasy but the combination has worked really well

You can get 500 piriton from pharmacy for £7.
You have to ask for them as kept behind counter
 
Update...
Thank you Rock01 and soulfull :-)

Just had report back from Westgate labs... no pinworm eggs found and <50epg no eggs on standard worm count.
Also just got back from vet visit - she has said to try a steroid cream, betnovate and also atarax antihistimines. She did mention piriton but she has found in her experience them to be less effective. She is also going to research where the best place would be to send him for allergy testing etc and will call me tomorrow and then we can arrange him going off to "horsepital"
 
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