Itchy, Scabby, scurfy horse??

kibob

kibob

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Any ideas what is best to feed/supplement my veteran boy. He is nearly 30 and his coat is awful this year. It's dull and scurfy and he's very itchy. Checked him all over for lice and can't see anything
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He is currently fed Allen and Paige Old Faithfull mix, with hi-fi. He gets V-Bitotic to supplement his vit/mineral requirements. Was wondering if I should add an oil to his feed? or maybe try one of the "de-itch" type supplements. Other than his coat condition he has faired really well this winter and is otherwise bright and perky
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Any advice/experiences greatly received. Thanks
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I would bath him regularly through the good weather, using a soecialist shampoo, and add some oil to his feed. I used coal tar shampoo on daughter's pony yesterday so waiting to see if that works.
 
Thanks for all replies. I have been shopping and am now armed with seaweed, soya oil and lavender wash
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He doesn't help himself really as he detests a bath - has always hated them and hasn't got any easier as he's got older
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His coat is now very long (suspect early cushings) and it is very hard to rinse out. The lavender wash is a no rinse job, I thought I would add a little t-tree to it too. Will spot wash him with this today and prepare to do battle for a full body wash on the weekend (I'll get wetter than him
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Thanks everyone
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If he is starting to get a longer coat in the summer, have you thought about getting him full clipped once the warmer weather is here?

We have done this on a couple of cushings horses, gonna do my 34 year old pony (retired) in a couple of weeks as she is really grumpy and itchy when shedding her coat. They find it a great relief to be rid of it all. Makes it easier to get rid of all the scurf too.
 
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If he is starting to get a longer coat in the summer, have you thought about getting him full clipped once the warmer weather is here?

We have done this on a couple of cushings horses, gonna do my 34 year old pony (retired) in a couple of weeks as she is really grumpy and itchy when shedding her coat. They find it a great relief to be rid of it all. Makes it easier to get rid of all the scurf too.

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Yes, I think I will clip him when the weather warms up a tad more. He does get really uncomfortable when he is shedding and seems to be wearing a permanent frown
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Do you clip fully then with your oldies? I was thinking of just taking his neck and belly off for starters as this is where he struggles to loose the coat.
 
I had to clip out my mare last year (she is very skinny, and I didn't want to due to getting cold) but she found it much more comfortable and is actually quite a warm horse.
In was only going to do her affected areas, but then thought, if I do the lot I can treat the unaffected area, so therefore preventing her from getting itchy!!
 
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SEAWEED!!
My mare has the same issure, scabby and scurfy skin, and it has really helped her! Also a bath in Tea Tree Oil shampoo!

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Yes I second that, very good for improving the condition of the skin, I've used it on my own lad in the past when he was suffering from blocked sweat pores with great results and have put the mare on it now as her coat is rather itchy and flakey so in few months time it will of transformed, only problem is some horses do not like the taste/smell of it in there food so you need to mix it with something that stop them from leaving the food.
 
I have had the same problem with my old mare. I had to clip her so I could bath her with maleseb which cleared the scabby patches but not the scurf or terrible itchiness. I tried everything but noe it has finally stopped...I have put her on Equidermis by Feedmark .It may coincide with the weather change but shes improved no end.
It is half price with Feedmark this month too.
 
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