Sweet itch best rugs/ remedies

Melbettson

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Hi everyone,

I was just wondering which are the best sweet itch rugs out there as there seem to be so many :/ I have a very large 18hh ID who takes a 7'3 but so often the necks are too small and she has outgrown what she was in previously , so I was wondering which brands make sweet itch rugs that fit broad horses?

she tends to get it the worst on her face, other than fly spray and a mask does anybody have suggestions/tips on remedies or other lotions and potions I could try to make her more comfortable ?

any help would be greatly appreciated !

thanks :)
 
I've just bought a made to measure rug from a company on eBay. They are the rugs with the extra 'skirt' around the front end by cornerstone browbands. It's fantastic, great material, very low static and great coverage. I've also removed all molasses, garlic and alfalfa from her diet and the difference when I removed alfalfa (and she was only on a handful of hifi molasses free) was incredible! Definitely look at diet, I've tried so many other things and let ones as diet as the second thought but when I addressed that first, it's really really made a difference.
 
I've just bought a made to measure rug from a company on eBay. They are the rugs with the extra 'skirt' around the front end by cornerstone browbands. It's fantastic, great material, very low static and great coverage. I've also removed all molasses, garlic and alfalfa from her diet and the difference when I removed alfalfa (and she was only on a handful of hifi molasses free) was incredible! Definitely look at diet, I've tried so many other things and let ones as diet as the second thought but when I addressed that first, it's really really made a difference.

massive improvment when i stopped using alfaA.i was only giving a token couple of handfuls too.
 
A friend has had great success with Biteback products. Itch relief and Summer Nights I think. He now has a mane for the first time in years.
 
I have a 3/4 ID who gets quite bad sweet itch, every summer his mane and forelock would be bleeding no matter what products I applied. In the end the best thing for him was a hoodie style fly rug, with the poll cover on. Have been using one for about 7 years now without a single scab on him. The horseware one is expensive, but I found the neck very generous, and it has so far lasted 3x longer than other rugs half the price, so actually better value. The best fly repellant I've tried is power phazer, but I do find that different repellants work better in different areas and for different bugs, so see what works best for you.
 
A Boett style rug with a hood and an electric fenced field are the first things. I spread neem on the bits that stick out from the rug but most of the other creams like Nettex, biteback etc will do the job. I also dose with Deosect through the summer. I haven't found any feed additives or changes make the slightest difference to any of ours.
 
Hilton herbs do Bye Bye Itch supplement and also a spray.My friend used it on a bad case with great results.It has lots of good reviews as well.Have found Absorbine field face mask very good.Its has a fine mesh with very good visibility and adjustable. Can get it online.
 
I really rate the amigo Aussie all rounder , it is cool for them to wear and stops those flies biting them. The fit is really good too, I have one on my TB and my WPB.
 
Deosect. £35 for small bottle that you dilute and apply every 2 weeks. Well worth the money, only licensed places can sell it (same as wormers). Poor horse was covered in lumps from bites, hardly a fly on him ever now!

One bottle does 25 applications I think,
 
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I would be very interested to hear what products work - my horse suffers from mild sweet itch and I have had him rugged up since the start of the season for midges. He rubs on whatever he can so I have as much of my field electric fenced as I can. However I have just ordered a Premier Equine midge rug which I heard was good. It has 40% off right now so reduced to £62 from £104. I have used Nettex but this doesn't seem to work so far. I have been told Neem, Stinky Stuff (which is Neem I think) may work. Any success stories would be great to hear.
 
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