Itchy horse!

[khalswitz]

So my mare always likes a good scratch - she’s the first mare I’ve met who likes her belly being touched because she wants a scratch! But in the last few weeks she’s gotten itchier than usual, and has started mugging me for scratches basically anywhere on her whenever I go into her stable as well as getting stampy and totally destroying a waterer by itching on it.

I’ve clipped her (which was hard as she was trying to itch on the blades!), and washed her with anti mite shampoo, but no signs of any lice or mites or anything. No signs of rainscald or anything skin related, skin isn’t red like I’d expect if she had an allergy or something. She is shedding.

Any tips for helping reduce her itchiness?

 

[Midlifecrisis]

Keep grooming her to remove loose hair.

 

[Traks]

Keep grooming her to remove loose hair.

Yep once they start to change coats they all get so itchy, just keep grooming! We have one of these which works a treat

https://amzn.eu/d/fYLr9Bm

Gets out so much more than regular brushing x

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

So my mare always likes a good scratch - she’s the first mare I’ve met who likes her belly being touched because she wants a scratch! But in the last few weeks she’s gotten itchier than usual, and has started mugging me for scratches basically anywhere on her whenever I go into her stable as well as getting stampy and totally destroying a waterer by itching on it.

I’ve clipped her (which was hard as she was trying to itch on the blades!), and washed her with anti mite shampoo, but no signs of any lice or mites or anything. No signs of rainscald or anything skin related, skin isn’t red like I’d expect if she had an allergy or something. She is shedding.

Any tips for helping reduce her itchiness?

One of mine got like this, and got major sores, she was rubbing on anything. Turns out she is allergic to alfalfa, just trying my other mare now off it as she gets brain stupid reactive and spooky and recently got itchy.

 

[khalswitz]

Keep grooming her to remove loose hair.

Yep once they start to change coats they all get so itchy, just keep grooming! We have one of these which works a treat

https://amzn.eu/d/fYLr9Bm

Gets out so much more than regular brushing x

I am grooming daily and fully with the curry combs etc too. Just trying to help relive her a bit more!

One of mine got like this, and got major sores, she was rubbing on anything. Turns out she is allergic to alfalfa, just trying my other mare now off it as she gets brain stupid reactive and spooky and recently got itchy.

She does get alfalfa chaff - but she gets less now than she did during the summer (one scoop instead of two scoops a day) because she’s on other higher calorie feed for the winter to keep weight in. And she’s been on alfalfa for the whole time I’ve owned her (a year). Would she get suddenly worse from that?

She does have a few scrapes on her from where she’s been itching (bum and face) but not sores per se.

 

[Allthererriers]

Has her diet changed or does she have any unusual stress? Could she have eaten any field plants that have caused skin irritation? So many factors but I’d look to diet first, if it’s not the seasonal malting causing it.

 

[Jambarissa]

It's extreme but be aware that liver issues cause itchiness. If you dont find the cause do a blood test.

 

[Hormonal Filly]

Sure it isn’t mild sweet itch?

Saw tons of midges yesterday and it’s started warming up.

 

[khalswitz]

Has her diet changed or does she have any unusual stress? Could she have eaten any field plants that have caused skin irritation? So many factors but I’d look to diet first, if it’s not the seasonal malting causing it.

No, it’s been the same since November or so. Same hay supply, same bedding, same feed, and she was on the same feed last winter too. Field is also the same. So if it’s a reaction to diet then it’s taken a long time to suddenly worsen.

It's extreme but be aware that liver issues cause itchiness. If you dont find the cause do a blood test.

Ok that’s useful to know. Thank you.

Sure it isn’t mild sweet itch?

Saw tons of midges yesterday and it’s started warming up.

Maybe? But if it is, she hasn’t signs like this before, even during the height of summer. Would sweet itch suddenly come on in winter in a 17 year old?

 

[Highmileagecob]

If she is stamping and scraping her legs, it's likely to be mite related. Get hold of some Selsun 2.5% shampoo (not Selsun Blue) and give the legs a good scrub from knees/hocks to the soles of her feet, including heels and ergots. Repeat on day 5 and day 10 to clear any hatchlings. The shampoo breaks down and lifts the scabs and dandruff that provide the food source for mites. This works well for my old boy, and I repeat when he starts scratching again - usually two or three times a year.

 

[Traks]

Are you sure it’s not lice? Weirdly my boy had it the other month, no idea where he got it from and nobody else on the yard had it but sure enough he had them in his mane! Was fine after 2 treatments of Duosect and did the rugs/stable etc as well x

 

[khalswitz]

If she is stamping and scraping her legs, it's likely to be mite related. Get hold of some Selsun 2.5% shampoo (not Selsun Blue) and give the legs a good scrub from knees/hocks to the soles of her feet, including heels and ergots. Repeat on day 5 and day 10 to clear any hatchlings. The shampoo breaks down and lifts the scabs and dandruff that provide the food source for mites. This works well for my old boy, and I repeat when he starts scratching again - usually two or three times a year.

I’ve been using the mite shampoo my vet recommended when I called to ask (has Deosect in it?) - she’s stamping her hind legs but not scratching her legs, it’s more her shoulder, neck, flanks, belly and bum. Ive shampooed her twice now 5 days apart and will continue with that. I’ve also changed rugs. I’ll persevere!

Are you sure it’s not lice? Weirdly my boy had it the other month, no idea where he got it from and nobody else on the yard had it but sure enough he had them in his mane! Was fine after 2 treatments of Duosect and did the rugs/stable etc as well x

There’s no sign of lice, and I clipped everything except her limbs. Doesn’t mean I’ve not missed them though. The shampoo has Deosect in so hoping it’s treating any I’ve missed.

 

[Miss_Millie]

Could you try dropping the alfalfa and using a different chaff instead? It gave one of my horses hives so could be a contributing factor.

The stamping feet behaviour does soubd mite related though.

 

[Spiritedly]

I'd be careful of bathing too often as this can dry the skin and make them more itchy.

I don't know if it will help with your mare but my vet recommended brewers yeast for my sweet itch pony so it may be worth trying as it's supposed to help with general itchiness as well.

 

[khalswitz]

Could you try dropping the alfalfa and using a different chaff instead? It gave one of my horses hives so could be a contributing factor.

The stamping feet behaviour does soubd mite related though.

I could yes. It’s just weird that it would come on so suddenly after a year on alfalfa (and getting less of it now than in summer). To me, my thought was lice or mites considering the sudden worsening of itching and the foot stamping.

I'd be careful of bathing too often as this can dry the skin and make them more itchy.

I don't know if it will help with your mare but my vet recommended brewers yeast for my sweet itch pony so it may be worth trying as it's supposed to help with general itchiness as well.

Normally I totally agree - I only ever bathe before a show, she is just beige most of the year! But the treatment instructions are every 5 days for 3-4 treatments to get rid of parasites and then hatched eggs. She started the manic itchiness before I started bathing her.

Brewers yeast is a good shout thanks.