sweet itch trait

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Bootsod

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My mare has just produced a lovely colt foal by a warmblood stallion standing in Ireland. Has anyone heard that some warmblood foals have a higher tendency to develop sweet itch.
 
I have to admit that I have not heard this, but I do have a warmblood/tb cross baby who does suffer from sweet itch. It didn't develop until her second summer, but benzol benzoate and a good fly rug (no leg straps) have sorted it out. I also bath her occaisionally in Lyn Russell surgical shampoo - pricey, but wait till they dry! Beautiful! Think I might use it myself! Fingers crossed you don't have the same problem.
 
I did quite a bit of research into sweet itch years ago when I had a horse that suffered with it. From memory it is native breeds that are the worst affected esp icelandics. Interestingly my horse was part warmblood but he was crossed with Connemara & I would say that this was more likely to be the source IMO. I seem to remember that it is vey rare in TB's.

I would not breed from a line shown to have had it as it can be difficult to manage, although not impossible. I always felt really sorry for my horse when he was itchy as I know it would drive me nuts !

Should mention that no foals show symptoms, it only comes out at yearling stage.
 
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Thanks for your feedback. Just a bit nervous using the stallion again (luz) if he does really pass on the trait. Its hard to know if it is just rumours or really the case.

We have a 3 year old pony who does suffer from it and she is miserable when the midges are out even with fly rugs, masks etc. We have used Botanica on her this year and so far much better but weather is getting warmer.
 
There is a vaccine that's been developed now. It's not cheap but might be worth it. Do a search under sweet itch helpline and you will find it.

If you have heard rumours I wouldn't use that stallion, there are plenty of others !
 
Personally, I wouldn't use a mare or stallion that shows any signs of sweet itch or passing it on to off-spring. There are hundreds of top quality stallions that are sweet-itch free.

Awful for the poor horse but equally awful for an owner who is trying to deal with it. I would certainly never ever purchase a horse/pony with signs of rubbing to the mane or tail as I have had first hand experience of this terrible condition.

The saleable value of any affected animal should be a prime concern - especially in the current financial climate. Any animal that is difficult to sell to a good home could end up in a very poor position.
 
I bred a WB, my mare didn't have sweet itch and I don't think the stallion did either but my now youngster has it. He developed it in his 2nd yr. I also found out that someone on here with a horse bred from the same stud and related parents has it really bad.
I did post about it a couple of yrs ago and some did think it could be passed on???
Its such a pain, have to cover him up all the time, he gets so hot and grouchy. He also cannot be worked yet so is full of energy and uses it to itch!!! Argh.
 
I'd always heard the natives seem more prone to it too but I've also known Arabs with it but it does seem to run in families if not actually genetic. However, it can also depend on where you live. I've known of two horses (one Arab and one NF pony) that had terrible sweet itch but when sold to another area of the country, the sweet itch completely disappeared so there are specific allergies to local midges too.
 
My mare has had two colts (not with me) one 3/4welsh although only registered as 50% and another was a xWB neither had sweet itch however my mare does. Any evidence on sex of foal and sweet itch? Im too busy doing assignments at uni to research this :)
 
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