Sweet itch questionnaire 2

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Hilli

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As part of my dissertation in my second year of college i am looking into affecting factors of sweet itch. I would be very grateful if owners with horses/ponies suffering from sweet itch could take the time to fill this out for me.

Do you think certain breeds of horse are more susceptible to sweet itch?
If yes. Please state which breeds you believe are more at risk.

Do you believe all genders are equally affected by sweet itch?
If no. Which genders do you believe are more at risk?
Geldings
Mares (3+yrs)
Stallions (3+ yrs)
Fillies (0-3yrs)
Colts (0-3yrs)

Do you believe a certain age group of horses are more likely to suffere from sweet itch?
If yes. Which age group do you believe are more at risk?
0-3 yrs
4-6 yrs
7-10 yrs
11-15 yrs
16-20 yrs
20+ yrs

Do you believe certain coloured horses are more affected by sweet itch?
If yes. Which colour do you believe are more affected?
Chestnut
Bay
Black
Grey
Dun
Coloured
Palomino
Other (please state)

Which, if any of the following factors do you believe affect the likelihood of a horse to suffer from sweet itch?
Yard location
Size of yard
Proximity to water
Proximity to woodland
Other (please state)

Thank you very much for your time.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Do you think certain breeds of horse are more susceptible to sweet itch?
If yes. Please state which breeds you believe are more at risk.

Do you believe all genders are equally affected by sweet itch? Yes
If no. Which genders do you believe are more at risk?


Do you believe a certain age group of horses are more likely to suffer from sweet itch?
No


Do you believe certain coloured horses are more affected by sweet itch?
No, i've had a piebald and a bay with bad SI.

Which, if any of the following factors do you believe affect the likelihood of a horse to suffer from sweet itch?
Yard location yes - whether a windswept spot, for e.g.
Size of yard no.
Proximity to water yes.
Proximity to woodland no.

happy to help!
 

Do you think certain breeds of horse are more susceptible to sweet itch? No
If yes. Please state which breeds you believe are more at risk.

Do you believe all genders are equally affected by sweet itch? Yes
If no. Which genders do you believe are more at risk?
Geldings
Mares (3+yrs)
Stallions (3+ yrs)
Fillies (0-3yrs)
Colts (0-3yrs)

Do you believe a certain age group of horses are more likely to suffere from sweet itch? No
If yes. Which age group do you believe are more at risk?
0-3 yrs
4-6 yrs
7-10 yrs
11-15 yrs
16-20 yrs
20+ yrs

Do you believe certain coloured horses are more affected by sweet itch? No
If yes. Which colour do you believe are more affected?
Chestnut
Bay
Black
Grey
Dun
Coloured
Palomino
Other (please state)

Which, if any of the following factors do you believe affect the likelihood of a horse to suffer from sweet itch?
Yard location
Size of yard
Proximity to water
Proximity to woodland
Other (please state)


All of the above can affect how a horse with Sweet Itch will cope. ie it will likely be worse if all the above conditions are present because they are ideal conditions for the midge but a horse with sweet itch will suffer to a degree wherever it is if there are midges about.
 
Meant to add:
I know of a 20+ yr old Black shetland stallion with sweet itch
a black shetland mare
a 12 yr old piebald cob gelding
a 10 yr old Grey Connemara
a bay icelandic
all with sweet itch
 
Question

1. All breeds of horses are affected and sweet itch is a worldwide problem. There does seem to be anecdotal evidence that cold native breeds suffer in larger numbers (icelandic, shetlands etc)

2. All genders

3. Age group - Sweet itch often presents itself once the horse is around 3 years old, not seen in foals.

4. Colour not relevant

5. factors listed affect the suffering of the animal, but are not 'triggers' to suddenly develop the condition. My sweet itch horse born and bred on our farm developed SI at 3 yrs.

Farm is windswept, colder than average, no water or woodland, small yard (own horses <6). There were no trigger factors at all, and siblings of same breeding not afflicted.
 
No proof, but I wonder if the increase in mollassed feeds has any influence as there seems to be many more affected now than years ago.I appreciate that other factors may also be affecting numbers, but it's a thought.
jpj
 
Hello,
Not owned a horse with sweet itch but can give experiences of working at riding school/ livery yard
BREEDS: Known three welsh D's with SI. one highland and a couple of m and m crosses. Not seen non natives.

GENDER: Seen mostly geldings but at yards with mostly geldings! so probably no

AGE: all i've known have been over 4 y/o


COLOUR: don't think that this makes a difference

LOCATION: near muck heap, water and woodland a problem
 
[ QUOTE ]
As part of my dissertation in my second year of college i am looking into affecting factors of sweet itch. I would be very grateful if owners with horses/ponies suffering from sweet itch could take the time to fill this out for me.

Do you think certain breeds of horse are more susceptible to sweet itch? Yes.
If yes. Please state which breeds you believe are more at risk.
Clydesdale, Welsh
Do you believe all genders are equally affected by sweet itch? Yes.
If no. Which genders do you believe are more at risk?
Geldings
Mares (3+yrs)
Stallions (3+ yrs)
Fillies (0-3yrs)
Colts (0-3yrs)

Do you believe a certain age group of horses are more likely to suffere from sweet itch? No.
If yes. Which age group do you believe are more at risk?
0-3 yrs
4-6 yrs
7-10 yrs
11-15 yrs
16-20 yrs
20+ yrs

Do you believe certain coloured horses are more affected by sweet itch? Yes.
If yes. Which colour do you believe are more affected?
Chestnut
Bay
Black
Grey
Dun
Coloured
Palomino
Other (please state)
Grey,
Roan.

Which, if any of the following factors do you believe affect the likelihood of a horse to suffer from sweet itch?
Yard location
Size of yard
Proximity to water - Yes
Proximity to woodland - Yes
Other (please state)

Thank you very much for your time.

[/ QUOTE ]
 
First gypsy mare was fine.

Cairo - clydesdale gelding - was very itchy but if it was SI, it was mild - he did not rub himself raw.

Chancer - currently gypsy cob gelding - now aged 5. Started rubbing his belly at 20 months and would rub raw if not looked after carefully. He rubbed his mane and tail at 3 though not badly as I immediately took precautions. You would not know he has it, no signs of rubbing as he is kept covered in body rug with sheath cover in a field with electric fencing.

Farra - clydesdale mare. Bought last year at 4 and showed signs of SI - rubs and sores. She was by a stream in Scotland full of midges. Now kept in an electric taped field with a body and udder cover snuggy rug and sprays applied. Again no signs now, but given the chance, loves a good rub of her forelock and tail.

Both live out from May to November 24 x 7 to keep them from stables and temptation.

My TBs, arab and WB (4 in total) mares never suffered and were kept in a similar environment to the cobs/clydesdales. I can't recall my Dartmoore mare or Exmoor gelding rubbing but this was 40 years ago and I also can't recall so many midges.

I think certain breeds are more prone - native hairy types and environment is also to be considered - Farra is far better where she is now as we are apart from where the water tubs are, fairly midge free most of the year. The winter fields which have longer grass and hedges seem to have more midges in summer, hence they are kept away from them.
 
[ QUOTE ]
As part of my dissertation in my second year of college i am looking into affecting factors of sweet itch. I would be very grateful if owners with horses/ponies suffering from sweet itch could take the time to fill this out for me.

Do you think certain breeds of horse are more susceptible to sweet itch? NO
If yes. Please state which breeds you believe are more at risk.

Do you believe all genders are equally affected by sweet itch?
If no. Which genders do you believe are more at risk?
Geldings
Mares (3+yrs)
Stallions (3+ yrs)
Fillies (0-3yrs)
Colts (0-3yrs)
YES
Do you believe a certain age group of horses are more likely to suffere from sweet itch?
If yes. Which age group do you believe are more at risk?
0-3 yrs
4-6 yrs
7-10 yrs
11-15 yrs
16-20 yrs
20+ yrs
NO
Do you believe certain coloured horses are more affected by sweet itch?
If yes. Which colour do you believe are more affected?
Chestnut
Bay
Black
Grey
Dun
Coloured
Palomino
Other (please state)
NO
Which, if any of the following factors do you believe affect the likelihood of a horse to suffer from sweet itch?
Yard location YES
Size of yard NO
Proximity to water YES
Proximity to woodland YES
Other (please state)

Thank you very much for your time.

[/ QUOTE ]
 
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