New pony (yay!) - sweet itch rug vs normal fly sheet

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My daughter has just got a gorgeous new pony today who unfortunately has sweet itch, although the previous owners say not badly, and they rarely even needed a fly rug.
However, I do want to manage it carefully after previous skin problems we have had with the kids ponies, so am going to rug him for the summer.
My question is, do I really need an expensive sweet itch rug, or can I get away with the fly rug I use on my other pony, which has belly protection and is this one here:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/1817...1=ICEP3.0.0-L&ff12=67&ff13=80&ff14=108&ff19=0
I don't like the mask on this rug because it is too close to their eyes, but apart from that it seems to do the business?
 
If the pony isnt actively itching currently then its worth a try combined with some product of some sort used on the exposed areas

If pony is itching in the slightest that will be wrecked very quickly and investing in a more robust more coverage rug would be better
 
Amazing offer -- so annoying, I think he is 5'6 and those are only up to 5'3. But bug rugs sometimes come up big don't they, so it may be worth trying. Will look for deals on 5'6 elsewhere as well
Thanks!
 
PS if I am getting a good one is it worth looking at the ones which are a rain sheet/fly rug combo - or do ponies get too hot in them? I was planning on putting a no fill neck less turnout over the top of an ordinary fly rug.
 
Not sure about the average horse but you want to keep a sweet itchy pony cooler rather than warmer so I would say choose something that doesn't have a waterproof element. Unless it's torrential I leave my pony out in his sweet itch rug, they dry very quickly. If it's heavy rain I switch to a lightweight but never both together
 
I have a proper sweet itch rug ( a Boet type) on a mare in my field which does the job brilliantly, she would shred a lesser cover up within a day. she is never without it April-October and it does it's job beautifully. never had to bother with lotions or potions.
 
Gallop fly rugs are very good quality I find. If the pony has started rubbing, this rug http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Horseware...t=LH_DefaultDomain_3&var=&hash=item5672391012 (very expensive I know) is a very good investment. We have a horse with severe SI, and she hasn't rubbed all spring/ summer so far this year, when previously she was bleeding and raw before (in other fly rugs). It is really tough, and made of thick, but breathable, turnout rug-like material, so even the smallest midges can't get in & bite them.
 
Premier equine sweet itch buster without belly flap 100%!! Fab rugs, I've just bought a second for mine who also has very mild SI. They have a sale on at the mo so its only £50. Well worth the money, wouldn't bother with any if the wannabe rugs as they either don't fit well or tear!
 
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