"preventing" sweet itch?

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darksecret99

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I just found out that my 5 yo gelding's sire had sweet itch, which explains why he has such senstivie skin and is always itchy... he reacts to fly bites too, but doesnt rub his mane or tail or have any scabbyness... is there anything I can do to prevent him developing full blown sweet itch??

He is already fed brewers yeast.... is always rugged and has fly spray applied etc...

Thanks
 
He's itchy but doesn't rub his mane or tail? So how / what does he itch? Id always thought one of mine had sweet itch (he rubbed half his mane out every year though). Tried usual creams / sprays / Boett blanket / fed brewers yeast etc. I had allergy tests done last month - turns out he's allergic to most grasses, dust mites and hay moulds! Nothing to do with SI at all! His coats always been horrid, all scurfy and he's very tickly. We've had a vaccine made for him so am hoping it will be a success.

Just thought Id tell my little story because its not always sweet itch like some think!
 
Try washing him regularly with a Tea tree oil shampoo. I think Global Herbs do one, I used to get mine from Indian Herbs but I'm not sure if they are still around or not. My 17 hand warmblood has severe sweetitch and this seems to lift all the scurfy yukky skin and make him feel more comfortable so I think there is a good chance it could help your chap too
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Fly bites come up the size of half tennis balls wherever he is not covered (usually on his belly and sheath), he rubs his belly and sheath when he rolls and he is always figety, tail swishing etc - he nearly flattens me to get better itching if I curry comb him!!

He occasionally rubs his main and tail, but has no scurfy skin or bald patches - just the swelling around the bites....
 
well, not making any promises for anyone else's horse, but one of my 2 yr olds suddenly developed sweet itch (first time) this summer, scrubbed half her mane and tail off in one day... i tried neem oil, topically, and neem powder orally. she totally stopped scratching, even when i ran out, and hasn't done so since... and there are still tons of mozzies and midges around up the field, as we have dykes both sides with water in. so, i'm not saying it would cure any other horse, but it appears to have cured this one. i got it all online from theneemteam, can't recommend it highly enough. smells lovely too.
 
Thanks for all the tips!

He only has a couple of bites now, but I will be watching for the signs next spring so I can act ASAP if it gets any worse!!
 
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