She is constantly wanting to itch...

JackDaniels1

JackDaniels1

Well-Known Member
Joined
22 February 2009
Messages
1,050
Visit site
One of the retired mares lives out in a field with electric fencing all the way around field (no where to rub/itch) when we bring her in for farrier visits, groom etc she desperately tries to rub against anything she can (stables, drain pipe etc) and makes the whole stable block creak at the same time! She can not be left tied up at all as her rubbing destroys the saddle hooks outside the stable doors. She mainly tries rubbing her bum/tail but also her head/neck (anywhere she can basically) I have tried lice shampoo. Even when bathing her she is still constantly trying to rub. Any suggestions? Could it be sweet itch?
 
sounds like SI.
once they itch,they have already been bitten.you need to get in before this happens by using a SI rug from march.
my mare was so bad that i couldn`t stable her.i spent loads on potions that never worked for us.
the only thing that works for us is to cover up.my mare wears a hood in winter for the mud and in summer cos of the midges,not ideal(i do clip accordingly) but better than rubbing raw.
because i have prevented the biting i can stable her now.
also,electric fencing so that there is nothing to rub on in the field.
hope this helps
ps sudocream.
 
Wash the mane & tail thoroughly & ensure that you wash out any soap. Then put some rubber gloves on & rub in Benzyl Benzoate. Repeat this for a few days & you should see a marked improvement.

Some chemists stock Benzyl Benzoate, some may have to order it in or you can buy it on line. Don't worry if you get a strange look from the sales assistant because it is an old remedy & used to be used to treat 'Scabies' in humans. The pharmacist will know you are a horse owner. (Some chemists however won't supply 'human medicine ' for use on horses' so buying on line may be easier.

http://www.hyperdrug.co.uk/Easivet-Benzyl-Benzoate-Application-1L/productinfo/BENZYLEASI/


Below is from Wikipedia.com:

Benzyl benzoate, as a topical solution, may be used as an antiparasitic insecticide to kill the mites responsible for the skin condition scabies,[2] for example as a combination drug of benzyl benzoate/disulfiram.[3]

It has other uses:

a fixative in fragrances to improve the stability and other characteristics of the main ingredients
a food additive in artificial flavors[citation needed]
a plasticizer in cellulose and other polymers
a solvent for various chemical reactions
a treatment for sweet itch in horses[4]
a treatment for scaly leg mites in chickens
 
JackDaniels1 said:
b. Any suggestions? Could it be sweet itch?
Click to expand...

i would ask the vet to do a skin scrape they might need to make up special creme .

as if it isnt sweet itch but something like staph aureus sweet itch stuff is the last thing u should use..
a livery mare broken the gate by rubbing she has to wash her in special stuff she actually makes large red sores on her body the size of old 10 pence pieces
 
Is this a very recent thing? Agree with the Sweet Itch suggestions, but also give her a rough massaging with a rubber curry comb ('rough' is a subjective term, here and dependend on where on the body you're grooming!). Chloe is much itchier during a coat change and she's currently shedding the summer coat (depressing!), so I'm on massage duty every other day. Quite therapeutic for both of us!!

I use Neem oil mixed with Benzyl Benzoate as a topical application. I don't rub it in, though. BB has a mild burning effect in high amounts (hence the need to wear gloves) and doesn't do skin any favours, so I try to keep most of it on the fur, not deeper. I'm also still feeding linseed and Brewers Yeast. No sores for 2yrs now (I'll make her into burgers if I get there this evening and find some, now!!).
 
My mare is the same. As others have said use Benzyl Benzoate and apply regularly. Saffy hasn't needed a sweet itch rug this year as the benzyl benzoate has worked wonders!
 
Could well be SI, but like others have suggested could also be an infection. What ever you do don't use anything containing benzyl benzoate (you should never use it on broken skin anyway) until the vet has diagnosed the problem as you risk making it a whole lot worse and making the mare much more uncomfortable.
A vet job really.
 
I have read that Benzyl Benzoate has to be used at the start of the season before the itching starts.it`s a matter of breaking the cycle.
itchy=already bitten.
 
At a wild guess I am asking does the horse have barley in its feed???

I have known horses get very hot when having barley makes there skin have a sensation like prickly heat which causes them to scratch
 
Last edited:
Fransurrey said:
Is this a very recent thing? Agree with the Sweet Itch suggestions, but also give her a rough massaging with a rubber curry comb ('rough' is a subjective term, here and dependend on where on the body you're grooming!). Chloe is much itchier during a coat change and she's currently shedding the summer coat (depressing!), so I'm on massage duty every other day. Quite therapeutic for both of us!!
Click to expand...

OP, it could well be SI, but the above is definitely worth considering. My new boy arrived about 10 weeks ago and within 2-3 I was going mental thinking he had SI as he rubs his tail and top of his quarters in the field and stable, and mane if he's tied up by the fence. Not raw - just track marks near the croup and turns his tail into a bit of a loo brush with no scabbing or skin breakage. Vet saw it at second jabs & microchipping and wasn't worried.

I do find - and I'm aware results vary for each potion per horse :) - that NAF D-Itch kicks any irritation and he doesn't rub. It's a bit awkward as it needs to go on once (preferably twice) a day but is a spray so at least is quick. It's visually obvious if he misses a few 'spray times.'

Downside is that it's £21 a bottle :yikes: although it's lasted me over a month so far. Might be trying baby oil next - worth a go.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top