nasty fly bites

odd1

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help!
my horse got bitten or stung on Sat morning he had 9 bites/stings on one side one on the shoulder, some just behind the withers and a few at the girth area
the shoulder and wither ones seem to have healed ok but the ones at the girth area are still sore and raised
i have been cleaning with cider vinegar (was told this is good for bites) and have been puting on global bite cream - all the bites have had the same treatment
just wondering if anyone has any ideas what i can do to speed up the healing of the girth area ones, i cant ride as i cant get a girth on & they must still be sore as he is getting very touchy when i try to clean or put cream on so i have left them tonight
sorry for the rambling post - chocolate for those that manage to read it all:D
 
It's one of those situations where the bites will take 7 days to heal if you don't treat them with anything, or a week if you do. You could try an antihistamine cream if you feel you ought to do something but pound to a penny as fast as you see one lot fade, more will be popping up. The best long term solution is to either stable the horse in the day, turn out at night or invest in a good quality fly rug, perferably one impregnated with permethrin.
 
Have a word with your vet. One of my mares came in on Monday with massive swellings from fly bites and luckily my vet happened to be on the yard for something else. She said hose the horse down (as she was very uncomfortable) and get some Clarityn. She had 4 in her breakfast and 4 in her supper for 2 days and you can hardly see the swellings now. I have also bought her a fly rug with hood (something she hasnt owned in 5 years of owing her) Poor thing was much more comfortable and so proud of her new rug. She is so hardy she doesnt often get new rugs :)
 
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