Really itchy horse... any ideas what it could be???

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wench

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My mare seems to like itching herself very vigoursly when you take her rugs off. She also has have quite scurfy skin, which is probably why she itches!

I bathed her a couple of weeks ago, in lice shampoo, just in case it was that. I washed out loads of dirt, and since then she has certainly been less dandruffy, but still itches.

I have since bought some louse poweder and dosed her with that, just in case they are still crawling about on her.

Asides from this, I have absolutly no idea whats wrong with her - any ideas? I have bought some Global Herbs restore for her, but yard wont feed it (or any other suppliments), so they are no good!
 
Is the time of year for lice. I think that you may need to do them twice if powder doesn't kill eggs, so again when they hatch. I have been recommended coopers, i think louse powder that is for enviroment rather than actual horse but use it on horse.

Diet could be an issue, have you changed feeds
You could always clip out if really bad
 
I would insist the yard feed the horse, you are paying the bills! Is the rug washed regularly [non bio detergent] and have you looked for lice, with a pair of reading glasses if necessary, it is no use just sprinkling something on if this is not the problem.
I would empty the stable of all bedding and then useVirkon or Jeyes Fluid, let it dry, sprinkle the remaining louse powder in the corners and cover with a new type of bedding, like Auboise, so you have eliminated one cause.
Buy a new stable rug, one which
a) fits well
b) does not overheat
That eliminates another problem
Groom twice a day, use a plastic curry comb if she is the type which likes a good deep groom, examine the hair follicles [eggs/lice] and the skin [scurf / scabs / spots/ raw skin] do not forget to look under tail and into the hair in the tail.
When you are attending to the horse, give her a mini feed of herbs so you know you are eliminating the YMs [strange and un-helpful] attitude.
After exercise, sponge sweaty areas off with anti-itch wash, make sure it is at recommended dilution, you should avoid "overdosing"
http://www.horsehealth.co.uk/leg-care/leg-body-washes/anti-itch-soothing-shampoo
Give her a good shampoo, rinse off, make sure it is a good day, and let her roll in her new bed.
http://www.thesaddleryshop.co.uk/P/Dermoline_Medicated_Shampoo_500ml-(279).aspx

If there is no dramatic improvement in two weeks, call the vet.
 
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I am aware it takes two goes to get rid of the lice... but due to current temperatures I didn't dare bath her twice, hence the second dose of louse powder. She has had a clean rug on (they don't get changed over).

Unfortuantly I can only get to see her once a week at the minute, and as such, she only gets groomed once a week.

The vet is coming out next Monday for something unrelated, but just trying to gauge reaction of what it may be before hand.
 
Horse may simply be too hot under its rugs. Are you adjusting the current temperature? Don't forget it is usually at least 5 degrees colder at this time of year, more if you live oop north.
 
Shes been itchy no matter what the weight of the rug she has been in - pretty sure its not over rugging, or something shes allergic to in feed.
 
What type of livery is she on??
If you are paying for or are prepared to pay for her to be fed they should do this for you:confused:
If she is only getting her rug off once a week it could simply be that she is too hot and needs it changing while the weather is milder, again something the livery should include or be able to do.
I have found restore to be very good for itchy skin when there has been no external reason.
I would not be happy to leave a horse at livery where they are not able to offer proper care for my horse.
 
if the horse isnt clipped and the temps/weather stay as they are give her a few days without any rug (yes she will get dirty but at least she can scatch her own itches! if she hasnt got too hot (???) i would think it is food related. is she on hay or haylage? what does she have in the bucket? if you are only going up once a week it sounds like she isnt in work? so let her down, take rugs off and feed ad lib hay.
 
I agree, if she isn't working then can you not take her rug off? I have a new horse that arrived with mites, I was suspicious so yesterday I clipped a small square under his mane and I could see them move around quite easily. Being Sunday i couldn't go and buy anything so I sprayed him with Frontline as I had it handy, he rolled and scratched and bucked for a few hours but this morning he was fine. I phoned the vet and he has given me a liquid to sponge all over the horse. I can't remember the name now and it is in the stables, I will post later sorry.
 
She may still be too hot.
Mine is unrugged and is itchy this time every year. Last year I trace clipped her and she stopped itching and just seemed so much more comfortable.
 
Thanks for the replys. She is ridden once a week. She has been underweight over summer, so would rather not leave her without a rug - she is about up to the right weight now, but I don't want her to drop off again.

She has been itchy for a while - no matter what rugs she's had on, or what she's been fed on. She wasn't itchy last winter - therefore, unless anything has changed internally within her, its not food or sweet itch.

I will be clipping her over the weekend anyway I think, see if that helps!
 
we have one on the yard like this, my donkeys is covered in sores and crust, we are currently waiting a skin scrape , had to clip her before this , this is how she is now , ITS NOT LICE i have to bath her every two days



i would get the vet to check it
 
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