Sweet Itch Supplements?

jadelovescassie

jadelovescassie

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At my wits end with my mares itching, yet again, just seems to be getting worse and worse.
I've recently tried the global herbs 'Skratch' but didn't really see any effect after 6 or so weeks. Does anyone have any good recommendations of feed supplements for sweet itch?

(we have the creams, lotions, potions, rugs. They help but do not keep her itching at bay!! She will literally itch on everything/anything :()
 
there is nothing more frustrating and heart-breaking than watching your horse scratch themselves raw :(

Have tried benz benzoate and naff d-itch on my mare and found that they helped a little but not enough, was browsing the internet and came across 'biteback sweet relief' a lotion or cream that contains benz benzoate but other stuff aswell. It says on their website that it takes away their need to itch, was a little sceptical but there was lots of positive feedback so i ordered some of the lotion to try (very reasonable price compared to some other products - bonus) Have been spraying it on for two weeks and i have to say i am amazed, the very 1st time i put it on her and rubbed it in you could see the relief in her body language, she instantly relaxed. Over the two weeks i've been using it she has no new rubs and is generally less agitated in herself, so i would definately say it's worth a try. i realise the same product wont work the same for every horse, but i'm so glad i gave this one a go.

just wanted to add i have no connection to the company/product, just a happy customer :)
 
For the first year since he was two my horse has been free of sweet itch so far. For various reasons he has had several courses of B vitamin supplements and of a liver tonic since last winter. I cannot prove there is a connection but I have now discarded the rugs and potions, his mane is growing and he feels no need to rub. I am amazed and delighted obviously and may well fork out for the same products next year just in hope!
I will happily respond to any pms for further information but am a bit worried about giving false hope to anybody as this is just one horse and it might be a coincidence, so no reason to think it would work for another horse with a different metabolism in different circumstances.
 
I use gold label itchgon and it works a treat on my horse. It makes the mane and tail greesey but better that than them suffering
 
cobiau said:
there is nothing more frustrating and heart-breaking than watching your horse scratch themselves raw :(

Have tried benz benzoate and naff d-itch on my mare and found that they helped a little but not enough, was browsing the internet and came across 'biteback sweet relief' a lotion or cream that contains benz benzoate but other stuff aswell. It says on their website that it takes away their need to itch, was a little sceptical but there was lots of positive feedback so i ordered some of the lotion to try (very reasonable price compared to some other products - bonus) Have been spraying it on for two weeks and i have to say i am amazed, the very 1st time i put it on her and rubbed it in you could see the relief in her body language, she instantly relaxed. Over the two weeks i've been using it she has no new rubs and is generally less agitated in herself, so i would definately say it's worth a try. i realise the same product wont work the same for every horse, but i'm so glad i gave this one a go.

just wanted to add i have no connection to the company/product, just a happy customer :)
Click to expand...

Just ordered some today so will see how we get on!
 
I feed my mare Brewer's yeast and use Benzyl Benzoate. She rubbed her whole mane off last year and this year it has grown back and we haven't needed to use a rug at all.
 
I've not used this but seen it on fb today - Hilton Herbs bye bye itch - can't see it on their website, maybe its very news. Was on the "Love Dressage" fb page.
 
katherine1975 said:
I feed my mare Brewer's yeast and use Benzyl Benzoate. She rubbed her whole mane off last year and this year it has grown back and we haven't needed to use a rug at all.
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ditto

It has completely eliminated it in my pony mare. It may be a little late for this year, mind you - it takes about 3 weeks to get into the system. It is extremely high in vitamin B, and it is said that midges don't like the taste.

The Benzyl Benzoate will help in the meantime - I think you can only get it from your vets these days. This is the main ingredient (and sometimes the only one) in proprietory lotions which cost about 4 time as much.
 
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try a homeopath. sweetitch is different for every horse it effects. this is why some things work for one horse, but not another. i had ad a welsh pony that was severe. a homeopath will treat the horse/pony a a whole rather than treating the symptoms. the little welsh improved within 3 days of starting the drops the homeopath made up for us. this is easy to do as they just ask some very simple questions about your horse/pony. i totally recommend this route. it has saved me a fortune and now have a very happy pony.
 
I would give the National Sweet Itch Centre a ring (or they're on-line, sorry don't know website but can't be hard to find it); they may have some suggestions?

I give mine: Brewers Yeast (one scoop per feed, is fed 2X daily); plus LInseed Oil (ditto amount); plus one scoop of seaweed divided between two feeds. Also you could pick some Clivers (sticky green stuff grows in hedgerows) and either put it in haynet or just put down in the field for him to pick up.

IME expensive supplements are a waste of time and money.

Also, the National Sweet Itch centre have done some research and have formulated something called "BioEos" which is basically a tablet which you can give the horse (in feed) once a week during the sweet itch season. They're a tad pricey, BUT you have to weigh-up the pro's and con's of it. I've used them for mine when he was at livery in an area which was known to be bad for sweet itch, and he did seem improved. I did notice the difference if I didn't give him the tablet every week.

Sorry meant to say that you can get benzyl benzoate without going to the vets! There's a product called "Killitch" which you should be able to get at tack shops/farm outlets, OR get benzyl benzoate on line.

With sweet itch, its a "total" care regime rather than one specific thing - so yes, keep covering up the horse and/or using Killitch (or Benzyl Benzoate, same thing but usually cheaper!). I managed to put mine out this year without his fly mask on, using this produce twice daily. Also, if you're riding out, you can get cover-up things from "Horseware", think its called a "ride-on fly rug" or similar, which is brilliant, don't know how I managed without this!

Oh and avoid anything with garlic in coz sweet itch is basically an allergic reaction/immune system thing, and garlic will only stimilate that response, which is what you don't want (sorry can't explain the science very well); also I've heard that you need to avoid "sweet" foods like molassess and treats with sugar in. Mine adores Marmite sandwiches; Marmite is basically brewers yeast so probalby why he likes it. Also I've heard you should avoid feeding carrots (Beta Carotene, causes hyperactivity in children!).

Good luck anyway. But I'd give the National Sweet Itch Centre people a ring, they're very helpful.
 
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MiJodsR2BlinkinTite said:
Sorry meant to say that you can get benzyl benzoate without going to the vets! There's a product called "Killitch" which you should be able to get at tack shops/farm outlets, OR get benzyl benzoate on line.
.
Click to expand...

Killitch is one of those products that is about 4 times the price of Benzyl Benzoate - even when the latter is bought from the vets.
 
i've found taking out molasses from a sweet itchy ponies diet helps - we have two on the yard at the moment, one has responded really well to cavalesse, the other didnt the year before so this year he's been on fly formula, smothered in coopers and has a molasses free diet..and still has a full mane and tail :)
 
I've tried lots of things but eventually have settled on a Boett rug and D Itch. It's just a case of trial and error, unfortunately, and finding out what works for your particular horse.
 
I can thoroughly recommend the new product from Hilton Herbs 'Bye Bye Itch'. My horse took part in the trials and it was amazing, his mane and tail have never ever looked this good and he barely itched at all. I think they are launching at Your Horse Live so it should be on their website after that. I'm certainly keeping him on it and the lotion really helped aswell.
 
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