Itchy newborn

[brightlights]

Hi everyone, first-time foal owner here. Our filly is five days old. I’ve had the vet out the last two days to check her, as she has rolled(!) a few times in her stall and a couple in the field. I was told this was not normal at this age, hence the vet calls. Has anyone experienced a very itchy baby?

She has been aggressively asking for bum scratches and nips all over herself... above tail, flank, legs, rubs head against the ground, swats tail frequently, etc.

Reproductive vet has been happy with her vitals, she nurses enthusiastically, gut sounds normal, urinates frequently, has passed droppings every day under my watch... Very playful. Just a lovely little foal. Our vet agrees the rolling isn’t normal but thinks everything else looks very positive, so I’m at a loss. Mom was wormed about a month before delivery. Perhaps the straw? Lice?

Our horses do struggle every summer with tail and mane rubbing regardless of what I do, so I’m inclined to think it’s environmental, but I’m also a bit of a catastrophizer so would love to know if this seems alarming to anyone who knows more than I do ? That said, is there any safe remedy for an itchy foal?

 

[Bradsmum]

Not sure where abouts you are located but we have lots & lots of midges early morning and evening. They are driving the horses mental so am plastering them with summer fly cream in the worse affected areas.

 

[Xmasha]

Our 7 week old has been very itchy, taking patches of fluff off around chest bum and ears. More so than the other foals we have had. But shes been born with a very thick/fluffy coat so im thinking shes just hot and sweaty. Plus yesterday it was a little damp and miserable and she didnt itch once.
Could it be weather related ?