lizzie87
Well-Known Member
Hi,
I also have an itchy horse. Mine has been itchy for over a year now (14 months), really bad to start with, to the extent that she was taking her skin off, and was really sore. So will tell you what we have been through to try and help her...
* firstly had to cut out all have feed for at least 6 weeks, see if that makes a difference. if it does re-introduce one feed stuff at a time (one a month) and see if that makes pony itchy again
*secondly have skin scrapes - which will show up any lice/fungal infections. I have also sprayed my horse with frontline all over and deosect all over just to make sure.
*have skin biopsies done (3 were taken from the most itchy places) these will show up any auto immune disease/abnormalities.
*ensure all rugs are thoroughly clean (vet said to wash at 60 degrees or higher as this will kill dust mites) i brought her completly new rugs, and now wash all weekly (especially under rugs)
*turn out for min 6 weeks and do not bring into stable at all, this will allow you to see it it is indoor allergens affecting horse
*if out fails bring in for a while and keep in (other than exercise) to see if it is something in the field.
whilst you say nothing in the field has changed, horses can develop allergies, and so it may be that nothing has changes, but horse may have developed an allergy to something presant in the field.
*get allergy testing done -my horse was referred to vet named janet littlewood at rossdales in newmarket to be allergy tested. this involves clipping patch on shoulder, ver injecting 62 (i think) allergens into skin, this is checked at certain time periods, and if positive a raised bump (atr least at big as positive control) will be seen.
*as a result of allergy test immuno therapy vacine can be made up (this involves you - vet to start with - injecting a little bit of what the horse is allergic to, with the dose gradually increasing, aiming to 'de sensitize' horse.
*janet also recommended feeding aloe vera (by forever living) at a dose of 120ml/day i think - i feed 150ml/day.
*also bath weekly in coatex aloe and oatmeal shampoo (which vet will have to order for you) which i really do think is worth it.
*also ensure you stable is clean - remove all bedding, pressure wash/disinfect whole stabel inc roof and replace with new bedding of same type and try swapping bedding (i swapped from shavings to paper)
From my own experience now i can suggest once you have done the above, if unsucessful try:
*feedmark suppliment equidermis plus
*keep horse rugged to prevent itching
*possibly acupuncture (im only on 2nd session so cant tell u how sucessful that has been so far!
*vit and min suppliment
*clean stable weekly
That is all i can think of off the top of my head, if i remember any more of the things we have tried i will add them on.
Good luck! any questions pm me!
I also have an itchy horse. Mine has been itchy for over a year now (14 months), really bad to start with, to the extent that she was taking her skin off, and was really sore. So will tell you what we have been through to try and help her...
* firstly had to cut out all have feed for at least 6 weeks, see if that makes a difference. if it does re-introduce one feed stuff at a time (one a month) and see if that makes pony itchy again
*secondly have skin scrapes - which will show up any lice/fungal infections. I have also sprayed my horse with frontline all over and deosect all over just to make sure.
*have skin biopsies done (3 were taken from the most itchy places) these will show up any auto immune disease/abnormalities.
*ensure all rugs are thoroughly clean (vet said to wash at 60 degrees or higher as this will kill dust mites) i brought her completly new rugs, and now wash all weekly (especially under rugs)
*turn out for min 6 weeks and do not bring into stable at all, this will allow you to see it it is indoor allergens affecting horse
*if out fails bring in for a while and keep in (other than exercise) to see if it is something in the field.
whilst you say nothing in the field has changed, horses can develop allergies, and so it may be that nothing has changes, but horse may have developed an allergy to something presant in the field.
*get allergy testing done -my horse was referred to vet named janet littlewood at rossdales in newmarket to be allergy tested. this involves clipping patch on shoulder, ver injecting 62 (i think) allergens into skin, this is checked at certain time periods, and if positive a raised bump (atr least at big as positive control) will be seen.
*as a result of allergy test immuno therapy vacine can be made up (this involves you - vet to start with - injecting a little bit of what the horse is allergic to, with the dose gradually increasing, aiming to 'de sensitize' horse.
*janet also recommended feeding aloe vera (by forever living) at a dose of 120ml/day i think - i feed 150ml/day.
*also bath weekly in coatex aloe and oatmeal shampoo (which vet will have to order for you) which i really do think is worth it.
*also ensure you stable is clean - remove all bedding, pressure wash/disinfect whole stabel inc roof and replace with new bedding of same type and try swapping bedding (i swapped from shavings to paper)
From my own experience now i can suggest once you have done the above, if unsucessful try:
*feedmark suppliment equidermis plus
*keep horse rugged to prevent itching
*possibly acupuncture (im only on 2nd session so cant tell u how sucessful that has been so far!
*vit and min suppliment
*clean stable weekly
That is all i can think of off the top of my head, if i remember any more of the things we have tried i will add them on.
Good luck! any questions pm me!
