Itchy Shetland

[Sven]

My Shetland pony (companion to neurotic pensioner) is constantly scratching his tummy on the ground. The problem is being investigated by vet at the mo, and it may or may not be sweet-itch. Although I thought most of the bugs had gone by now.

He is also going bald from the whorl on his forehead. When I got him in March this was quite a large area but it had cleared up and now its back about the size of a sixpence (oops showing my age) a penny to all you youngsters.

Any ideas?

 

[rabatsa]

Try an alergy to something. We had a pony that we thought had sweetitch as she rubbed herself raw each summer. After losing two to grass sickness she was homed in the outdoor school and all itches vanished. Turned out she was allergic to grass!

 

[Sven]

He is on an exclusion diet at the moment of only grass, hay or redigrass. He is not impressed and tries to mug me when I feed the pensioner!

Has been on the diet for a week with no real improvement, so could be the brand of grass in Channel Islands as he was apparently fine up in Shetland.

 

[MagicMo]

I have had terrible problems with my shetland itching. In his case it is mostly allergies.

I have to be super careful not to let any fly sprays or any other "chemicals" near him, I don't even dare to use shampoo on him now.

I also find it helps if I clip him as he gets hot and itchy under his thick coat - also a problem as he sensitive to clipper oil!

The only thing I have found that soothes the itching is aloe vera gel which so far he hasn't been allergic to.