Killitch question

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sonjafoers

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I know it reduces the itchy symptons in SI ponies but I don't think it contains any actual midge repellant so should I be using this too or would it be unsafe to use the 2 together?

My pony has a fine selection of rugs & masks including a boett so my query is only regarding the Killitch supplement.

Thank you.
 
It has benzyl benzoate in it which is used to kill mites etc as it is in insecticide. I think it's supposed to kill the midges but think a boett is the beast way forwards.
 
Can you explain your routine with it charli - do you start using it before the season?

Mine was doing really well with it until I reduced it down to every 3rd day & he has now itched a few spots on the top of his neck & the top of his tail. I'll have to go back to daily application but I can't use it at the moment because it can't be used on broken skin.

He has itched all of his mane off through his boett and I do wonder if part of it is habit or a learned process, but I was wondering if an actual repellant put on under his rug would help alongside the killitch.
 
As said above it contains benzyl benzoate which should repel midges. If you are worried you could use a strong repellant such as Deosect too.

I would personally apply it in areas around where the pony has rubbed and use Sudocreme on any sore bits - sudocreme also contains BB, enough to be useful but not in amounts high enough to irritate the sore bits further
 
sonjafoers said:
Can you explain your routine with it charli - do you start using it before the season?

Mine was doing really well with it until I reduced it down to every 3rd day & he has now itched a few spots on the top of his neck & the top of his tail. I'll have to go back to daily application but I can't use it at the moment because it can't be used on broken skin.

He has itched all of his mane off through his boett and I do wonder if part of it is habit or a learned process, but I was wondering if an actual repellant put on under his rug would help alongside the killitch.
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Last summer he arrived (July) and was a mess, past owners hadn't used anything on it, he'd rubbed a lot of his mane off and the top of his tail, so it had to be more of a treating process because he already had it, he had two applications daily and it did help. This year I started around April (it's usually earlier I think but it wasn't a very warm march) applying it for prevention before he had any symptoms, once at nighttime, it has gone really well, I've only caught him rubbing once or twice and I've just topped up his mane and tail and he's been fine. It does say on bottle to reduce it to every few days, but he has a sponged bath twice a week (special wash to repel flies) and exercise every day and it says to reapply after these so I'm still sticking to once a day. I don't use a rug on him atm, so he doesn't have to itch through anything, he has a fly rug and a special sweet itch rug both with necks and ears but I find they irritate it more by rubbing against the area, so he doesn't have either on and he has been much better.:)
 
Thank you for the replies.

Charli_ It sounds like a similar routine to mine although because he was doing so well I reduced it according to the directions and that's where it's gone wrong. I don't bathe mine as often though but I think it's something I'll start doing.

WelshD I didn't realise BB was also a repellant, I just thought it helped with the symptons rather than being a preventative too - you learn something every day!
 
charli_ said:
. I don't use a rug on him atm
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That there is your problem....
Pop the rug back on , electric fence off anything he can scratch on if possible and give him a week for the itch to calm down, the leave the rug on at all costs...
Think about a rude on fly rug or use plenty of repellent while riding. If the midge can bite your horse, he will itch.
A rug is an absolute must for true sweet itch...nothing else can prevent them being bitten well enough and well , why would you even risk it. A well fitting rug should absolutely not irritate your horse.
I use a Premiere a Equine Sweet Itch Hoody...it's btilliant..it's roomy but stays in place and is tough. I gave up on the Boetts years ago.
I use Stop Itch Salve as a repellent (excellent and soothing)
Good luck with your horse
 
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