Itchy horse

[diamondrockharvey]

Hi,

my cob is generally quite an itchy type but not too bad, just enjoys a good scratch behind the ears and under his belly etc
This week he has started scratching the top of his tail on one side.
Any suggestions on what I can do to prevent him being so itchy as he has started to rub some of the hair on his tail off so he has a short bit

He is un rugged, lives out 24/7, has restricted grazing during the day but free grazing at night at the moment as he is a good doer and has 500g of Bailey's no14 with a handful of speedi beet each day.

I have tried putting neem oil on his tail, but he still seems to be rubbing it

 

[ThePony]

Most likely to be sweet itch at this time of year, best treatment bar none is prevention - popping a sweet itch rug on 24/7 should totally fix the problem. Best to get it on asap as if you put a rug on an itchy horse it tends to get shredded!

 

[sanchob]

I have a welsh x cob who gets quiet itchy, i give him a bath with dermaline lice shampoo and that works really well on him. I also put leovet no rub on the top of his tail and that also works really well

 

[sjp1]

At this time of year when hacking out mine used to actually stop to scratch. He used to rub his tail and his sheath would get swollen.

I thought the sheath was due to the midges (which do bite him because he is a few spot appy) BUT, in September last year, I changed him from conventional feed to Simple Systems Blue Bag grass nuts (lower value because he can be a proper idiot!). Surprisingly, no mega stopping to scratch, sheath not swollen - but dab a bit of sudocrem on when very midgey, and no more gurgling stomach?

Might be different for yours, but I do believe with mine, although he was only on A&P Fast Fibre and alfalfa based feed before that, it affected his skin, and stomach.

 

[diamondrockharvey]

That is interesting sjp1!

I had a call from the vet last night to say that his ELISA test result came back high

I wonder if Tapeworm could cause him to itch his bottom!

 

[Goldenstar]

Pin worm definatly would and with modern worming methods they are on the rise .

 

[diamondrockharvey]

Which test shows pin worm?

His faecal count is clear but his ELISA test is high!

I have emailed Intelligent Worming for their advise as I am registered with them, but am awaiting their response!

 

[Goldenstar]

This not my specialist area but remembering what my vet told me ,not always modern wormers are less efficient in the back of the gut where pin worms hang out . I think we did a five day worming them we had to wipe all round the horses bums with a lotion from the vet every day for one month, TBH I would give the vet a ring and ask them.
Mine where's rubbing in the stable when I brought them in it did solve the rubbing did stop so I assume it was pin worm.

 

[diamondrockharvey]

Thank you for the advice, I shall call the vet today and ask them what they think!