Stuck.... Itchy horse...

[Barney860]

Hey, Im new on to the forum so hope I'm in the right place!

My 5 year old mare Tipsy has always been a very tickly horse, ever since I had her as a yearling she would love a tickle on any part of her body. This summer she seems itchier than ever, although I ought to add she doesn't rub herself raw as it's an all over itch so she doesn't focus on one point. I've been looking at different emolliant shampoos for itchy or irritated skin, but it all seems to be aimed at dogs and cats. Her coat always seems greasy as well and when we ride she hates it when she sweats and it goes down her nose or even when her nose runs she just has to itch her nose.



I think if I could find a good shampoo it would help with her coat, so any recommendations would be really really appriciated as I don't want to go out and buy something that won't work.



Secondly, any suggestions on how I could help her with her tickly runny nose, I was thinking maybe vaseline on wide area of the nostril will help collect some of the nasal fluid (which is always clear and watery like) and then possibly adding a sheepskin sleeve over the nose band to help with sweating, although this may add to the sweating.....

Thank you so much if anyone can shed any light on to my little madams problems!!

p.s I don't think it can be lice any kind of skin critters as my other 2 horses aren't itching and seem fine, well fine as far as itching is concerned, I will tell you more on the other 2 at a later date!! lol

 

[Kenzo]

Start feeding a seaweed powder supplement, it's very good for horses that struggle with an itchy coat that is not actually sweet-itch, you may find after a few months a slight colour change to the coat but this is normal, it really improves the condition of the skin. End of the day no amount of shampoos will stop her itching, yes they may soothe, shine up the coat or reduce scurf but health comes from within. You should start to see a difference after a couple of months.

I wouldn’t personally worry too much about the nasal fluid, providing it's clear and watery, sometimes through the seasons or depending on weather, this varies, also some horse will shed more nasal fluid than others if they have a slight allergy, but it needs to drain out, but if it dries and gets rather crusty in the nostrils then there is plenty of wipes/lotions specially for this that you can clean the area with daily.

 

[Barney860]

Hey! Thank you so much I will definately try some seaweed for her! I just want to help her stop itching, Ive just had an op on my leg and thats pretty darned itchy so I can imagine what she feels like if she's itchy all over! lol

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

Try some Linseed? Its supposed to be good for improving skin condition, mine has it coz he's got sweet itch but it will benefit the coat anyway. You can get it in oil form or powder.

For mine, I use (human) Tea Tree Oil shampoo from the supermarket which really cools him down and he loves it!

And yes, seaweed is brill too for coat conditioning. Perhaps she's been bitten somewhere and is itching because of that? I'd be inclined to shove on a fly-sheet if you're turning her out and see if she improves.