Itchy Mare

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debbielloyd

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Hi there everyone

I recently bought a 15yo Cob Mare in a sorry state, I felt like I rescued her not handed over money for her .... overgrown feet, severe lack of grooming and in need of TLC desperately.

Anyway, she's settled in really well apart from being really itchy, thought it might be the stable environment as she lived out previously and her just being not used it - as soon as rugs are removed she can't wait to get her teeth in! But a previous posting about Alfa-A has got me thinking .....

She was only fed hay previously, but decided to start her on some Pasture Mix and Alfa-a (same as my pony) because she will now be in work regularly and gets very grumpy when she knows pony is having 'extra' ...

Anyway to cut a long story short (sorry for rambling) - I got to the Yard this morning and she's rubbed her face so much overnight patches of her hair are missing and she is still really itchy elsewhere! She was fine last night at 7pm but looked dreadful this morning.

This week her winter coat has been coming off like there's no tomorrow as well. Farrier (came this morning) said lots of horses in the area had been affected because of the weather conditions being so eratic, but I didn't even think about her change of feed having an effect on her ...

What would your advice/suggestions be?

Hope you can help! x
 
I used Naf D-Itch as my warmblood was itching out her mane (not the look I was wanting) Fed her that and it has grown back, They have it as a feed supplement and a topical ointment
 
I would remove the alfa-a from her diet as it made a huge difference to one of ours "mud fever". If it isn't that then no harm done in the long run. We now feed unmolassed speedy beet, which does the job without causing itches. The Alfalfa sent my appy mare balmy.
 
Ah thanks lovelies, I'l have a check tomorrow. I pulled her mane last week and didn't find anything then, but will check again and see how it goes ......

Am moving them to our own field tomorrow from their current yard, do I need to make all horsey owners aware of my potential lice infestation?
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Also - if it is lice - should i need to de-louse my pony?
 
Thanks - will try that too!

When I had my pony years ago - it all seemed so straight forward (probably because all the adults sorted this kinda stuff) ...

We'll get to the bottom of it I'm sure. Bless her - she's had a tough time until now and I just want her to be at her best for once
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I would delouse her anyway..just in case. At least then you can eliminate that if she continues to itch!
She could also be too hot if she's used to living out.My shettie rubs patches of his coat out (usually around the face and neck) at this time of year. My natives are all quite warm atm and none are rugged at all.
She could also be stressed or bored if she's not used to being in and being somewhere new.
Also it could be sweetitch..this site may help for that
www.sweetitch.com
 
Thank you so much for your help - I felt so silly and naive about posting here because I feel like I should now what is wrong with her, but you've all been great!

p.s. I thought she might be too warm so I've left her rug off in the stable this evening to see how she does. At least at their new home tomorrow the stables are in the field so they can come and go as they please and help to regulate their own temperatures and boredom levels too whilst I catch up on my sleep!
 
That sounds ideal..it's just a process of elimination with things like this that aren't obvious

Hope you get to the bottom of it..she sounds like a lucky horse..don't forget, we need pictures
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Once I've figured out how to do it - I'll send you the before shot ... and once we've cleared her itchy problem, you can have the after shot!
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Thanks Honeypots .
 
My mare is exactly the same, as soon as I take her rug off shes biting her sides frantically. It started in Dec and the only change was from hi fi lite to hi fi original. She also came up in fluid filled pads on her belly. Changed back to hi fi lite and the lumps went but she still scratches. Luckily she hasn't rubbed raw and doesn't seem to scratch with her rug on. She has just had a rainscald type bacterial infection on her back which she loved me to pick off the scabs. Don't know if it is related in anyway. I have no idea what has caused her itchiness, just hope it goes in the summer. Seems to be a to about. There were midges about today but they have never affected her before (I have had her 18 years)
 
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