Lumpy Horse

Joined
25 October 2010
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29
Location
Suffolk
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Hello, i was wondering if anyone can help :) My mare developed a few fly like bites a few months ago. I didnt think anything of it, with it being summer etc.... i upped the fly spray and invested in a good quality fly rug. However, they are beginning to rapidly spread. What strikes me as odd is that they are only on one side and at the moment are one located in the saddle area. i have washed her polypad, thinking perhaps it was sweat related....no improvement. So, my next natural trail of thought is that she has had an allergic reaction. Perhaps to a fly bite- as this is exactly what they look like. They are hard spot like lumps, no bigger than a pea with crusty amylase head (nice!) when brushed the head comes off and an almost open sore is left. She also appears to love having them scratched/brushed... judging by her quivering bottom lip. It is worth noting we have recently moved yards and the horses are now at home, where the grass is very good quality. she has gained weight (it was needed) and is very content in herself. I have also switched to Rye grass hay due to sharing with my partners cows! I think i'm almost answering my own question in suggesting it is the new grass and/or hay that has induced the reaction. I would like another head to confirm this for me, before i dash off and buy 300 bales of hay @ £5 a bale. And perhaps suggest an antihistamine supplement as i am reluctant to use steroids. It may also be worth mentioning that she lives out rugged (rugs have been recently cleaned), therefore no bedding allergies, is 17 yr old TBXWB. Thank you!

p.s does anyone have any information on protein lumps? as i know rye grass is high in protien.
 
I have had a similar problem with my old mare over the last few winters. It seems as soon as her winter coat come in she gets very itchy and you only have to touch her for her lip to go. She then gets round scabby patches, each about the size oa a 50p, mainly on her back. The fur comes out in tufts, like mudfever and underneath is yellow to start with then is just bald. We have tried everything, supplements, steroids, washes,no rugs, new rugs, old rugs, hay only, haylege only. no hay, different feeds, fields etc. Nothing seems to help and we battle all winter and then in the summer it gets better. Luckily she doesn't try and scratch herself but as soon as you take her rug off she goes mad itching herself with her teeth.
The only thing that may have mad a slight difference was Feedmarks Equidermis, but it may have been more towards summer that I used it?
I also clipped her totally naked the first year which did help, but as shes now 25 and retired I couldn't do that to her now. It seems maybe she just reacts to having a thick scurfy coat.
 
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