really suffering from midges

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samp

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My poor mare is so lovely to handle but has mild/ moderate sweet tich. This year she seems worse - never see scratching but evidence is there losing mane, tail can be be rubbed. This year she's particularly sore on belly where boett can't cover and between hind legs. She is reluctant to have it touched without wanting to attack me (but she never will). Anyone got any good suggestions on what to do
 
i think you can get the vet to inject for midges sometimes? not something i know a lot about but my friend has hers injected every spring for this reason
 
My vet has recommneded tablets but TBH I am reluctant as they are steroids and can induce laminitis which would be even worse
 
I smother my horse's belly with vaseline mixed with Sudocrem which helps soothe and keeps the midges off. Normally he would be wearing his Boett by now but fingers crossed he's OK at the moment.. I started him on Feedmark's EquiDermis in February and I'm wondering if this is helping him. Has anyone else tried this (sorry if this is hijacking the post).
 
Have you tried Global herbs fly x .Our local tack shop owner says flies and midges arent even interested in droppings because of smell.
I have been told that baby oil on the belly stops midges being able to grip and bite.You should be able to spay baby oil on without it affecting her
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vasaline mixed with tea tree for sore areas. a good fly spray every where else. and feed fly free from global herbs!
 
I have a pony with servere sweet itch, and he gets sore on his belly where the boett doesn't cover and his tail, legs and nose. I give a second vote for Avon skin so soft as the smell helps to deter the midges and the oil helps stop them from being able to land. Pour it into a bottle that squirts rather than sprays and it will be even better
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Sudocrem is great for soothing sore areas and helps to stop them get bitten as well! Good luck x
 
Deet cream, we tried everything that didn't contain it but nothing worked as well (quite strong and I know some people don't like using it but really does the trick and apply liberally everywhere) and a really good fly rug,. Make sure they're in at dusk and dawn too. There is a pre itch product too and that stops the itching effect and it works really well http://www.aromesse.com/pages/aromapre-itch.htm

Ripped net curtains over the stable door in strips so that the midges can't get in but the horse can put its head out (takes them a while to get used to it)

My mare always breeds youngsters that suffer from terrible sweet itch, we have to rug them up from March onwards as it is far easier if they never start the scratch/itch cycle. (appreciate that doesn't help you now)
You can get leg extensions for the sweet itch hoody I think ir you can make some that attach on if she is ripping her legs to bits.
 
You're not alone, my girls normally stuffer mild sweet itch (the usual dishevelled tails look) but nothing major. However this year, Pen and Rose have both got bald patches on their necks (around the heads) and Penny also on her face near her nose. I think we're having a particularly bad year for midges. I'm going to give Nettex Stop Itch a try.
 
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