Looking for sweet itch advice !!!

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s_w1234

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Hey guys,
I know a LOT of people ask this question but I am feeling quite confused at all the different options and opinions and just wanted to ask the forum for myself .

My 14.2hh Pony had mildish sweet itch last summer meaning she only rubbed her mane and tail , she has not rubbed it raw yet but it gets extremely patchy and thin in summer. What is the best sweet itch hood/rug that she can wear in and out of her stable?? Having hard time finding one as she is head shy and needs a zip hood or other alternative !! Or a supplement ? Or a soothing cream? Thanks in advance xx

I did wash her mane and tail in some soothing shampoo last year every week and used some kill itch every other day, it did help slightly but she still itched a lot ! Just don't want it to get to the same stage as she is already itching !!

Thank you :p
 
I use a shires sweet itch rug, deosect, nettex sprays & creams and he's fed brewers yeast, linseed, seaweed and a balancer. I also wash him once a week in Aqueos horse shampoo. Last year was a very bad year here and he had to have 2 lots of steroids plus piriton daily for months. We have midges here already and so far we are ok! Also considering trialling him on aloe ride as he had aloe vera for something else and it seemed to help? Could be wishful thinking though
It really is trial and error. What works one week, won't the next. I'm hoping that the supplements will be a good level this year to help him.
I know lots of people swear by Boett. I never have the money for one as usually have vet bills :-)
 
A lot of people I know with sweet itch horses like the Rambo sweet itch hoody rug. It has "normal" closures under the belly and the neck, and doesn't need to be pulled over the head.
I'm not sure about rugging inside and out though. No rug will stand up to rubbing long term, they are supposed to prevent the horse from getting itchy in the first place by preventing midge bites. I'd make sure that there's nothing for the horse to rub on when turned out (electric fencing all around, no posts/trees). Stabling can help get the horse away from midges, but it's also an opportunity to rub. Ideally, you want to get to a place where your preventative measures (rug, fly spray) are good enough to prevent bites and itchiness to she can be stabled without the need for a rug, and not rub too much.
I like the Biteback products (spray and lotion) as cheap and effective options to keep of midges and treat the itch (the sweet relief lotion has benzyl benzoate in it, like Kill Itch, but cheaper).

I think experiences diverge when it comes to regular washing. Some horses seem to be less itchy if all the gunk and lotions are washed off regularly, others seem to do better if their skin isn't disturbed too often by shampooing.

My most important tip would be to start rugging now if she is already itchy. It's been very mild (at least here in the south), so there will be midges around. Preventing midge bites should be the first priority, and a barrier (rug) is more reliable than any spray, which will wear off eventually.
 
s_w1234 said:
Hey guys,
I know a LOT of people ask this question but I am feeling quite confused at all the different options and opinions and just wanted to ask the forum for myself .

My 14.2hh Pony had mildish sweet itch last summer meaning she only rubbed her mane and tail , she has not rubbed it raw yet but it gets extremely patchy and thin in summer. What is the best sweet itch hood/rug that she can wear in and out of her stable?? Having hard time finding one as she is head shy and needs a zip hood or other alternative !! Or a supplement ? Or a soothing cream? Thanks in advance xx

I did wash her mane and tail in some soothing shampoo last year every week and used some kill itch every other day, it did help slightly but she still itched a lot ! Just don't want it to get to the same stage as she is already itching !!

Thank you :p
Click to expand...

The boet blanket is meant to be really good, at a previous yard a woman had an icelandic that had sweet itch and wore one all the time.
 
I control two sweet itchers using a Premier Equine Sweet itch buster
http://www.premierequine.co.uk/PBSCProduct.asp?ItmID=12714353

Excellent value for money...its tougher than most (1000 denier) ... it fit like a normal rug.
I feed a normal feed balancer to ensure they have all they need and add micronised linseed (anti inflammatory and excellent for skin and coat condition) and salt.
I use Net Tex Itch Stop on their face, sheath and anywhere that may need t....it soothes and heals and repels
https://www.******.co.uk/Net-Tex_Itch_Stop_Salve_Summer_Freedom_for_Horses/c7530/

It's all use for my cob....he's had sweet itchfor18 yrs and I've tried everything going and this combination works best for us.
 
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My friend has had sucsess with Hilton Herbs Bye Bye Itch.It is a supplement which can be fed year round and can be used in conjunction with their lotion.The website is very good and a video talk.
 
There's a useful article on caring for itchy equines on http://www.solva-icelandics.co.uk/sweet_itch.htm . Personally I find keeping them out with a good rug (I use DeMeulenkamp rugs which are similar to Boett but not as expensive) works far better, as if they're in there are so many things to rub on, plus they get bored and rub even more. I haven't found any feed supplements make any long term difference.
 
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