Patching ripstop nylon

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SallyN

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Hi everyone, have been lurking for ages but finally got around to registering as I have a question!

My little 12.2hh pony suffers terribly from sweetitch, poor thing: I'm managing it (just) with KillItch, flyspray, garlic and a fly rug.

Currently using a Shires ripstop nylon rug which is just fine except he's in a field with plenty of hedgerows and as fast as I can remove itching posts he finds a new one.

Result: ripped rugs, and more often than not a sore pony as he often breaks the skin if he can get to it.

I'm quite handy with a sewing machine so have been patching them - cannibalising the first rug which got so badly ripped it wasn't worth repairing (that was a Mark Todd - didn't last anywhere near as long as the two Shires have). However I've now run out of nylon so I need to buy some ripstop nylon for patching.

Any tips as to what sort of ripstop nylon to buy? On Ebay there's loads but it mainly seems to be for parachute material - is that the same sort of thing? Also it all says it's waterproof - but surely the stuff they use on horse rugs would be breathable?

All help gratefully received! :)

Sally
 
Most fly rugs aren't enough to help with sweet itch. You really need one that is specifically for that condition for best help. There are a few about now. Also a length of electric fence around the field to keep him off the hedge and fence posts would be my advice. Worth the additional expense to keep your rugs in tact.

We have a sweet itchy pony and we use a Boett type rug which is very helpful to him and electric fencing. Also you need to rug long before the midges come out in the spring, this also lessens the need to itch. Good luck with it, it is an awful condition for them.
 
Thanks Suelin - I do have electric fencing around most of the field, the trouble is that they rely on part of the hedge (the tall bit with the trees!) as natural shelter and especially shade so I don't want to discourage them from going in there too much.

I've heard about Boett rugs before - they cost a small fortune though! I guess I'd better start saving. In the meantime are there any others specifically for sweetitch that don't punch such a hole in your wallet?!

I suffer from eczema myself so I really really sympathise with him. Someone else told me you can use anti-fly treatment as developed for cows - Coopers Spot-on I think - it's not approved for horses so very unofficial but would appreciate hearing about anyone else's experience of this too.
 
My friend has a sweetitch suffering horse. She uses the Rambo Sweetitch Hoodie, along with the waterproof liner if it looks like rain. I can't speak highly enough of these rugs. They have lasted around 6yrs and are really good. Not cheap atall but if you can pick one up on EBay that could save you some cash. Very good rugs and worth the extra money in outlay.
 
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