Sweet itch

[RolyPolyPony]

I've seen a lovely little mare i'm interested in loaning. However she suffers from sweet itch. I've got no experience of this and wondered if anyone one on here has? How do you control it and how easy is it to control? Thanks.

 

[Boxers]

It depends how severe it is.

They usually recommend that the pony be stabled at night (turn out after 10am and get in before 4pm).

Put a fly rug and mask on the pony.

Use a fly repellant.

There are also lots of lotions and potions you can try. For instance some people recommend feeding marmite daily to repel flies. Avon Skin So Soft is a really good repellant (I read this week that the Army issue it to soldiers).

If you are considering a loan pony then I wouldn't let this put you off. Have you asked the owner how they manage it? Will the pony come with a fly rug and mask or will you have to buy one? As it is a loan you could alwys take the pony and see how you go, and return him if you find it too much.

Personally I have had experience of a mildly affected pony and wouldn't let it put me off.

 

[GypsyGirl]

My loan mare suffers from sweet itch. She is kept out 24/7 we don't have stables etc and shes happy as pie. I have to keep her hogged as she rubs her mane lots and pulls it out. But she has a fly rug, but I dont tend to put it on her, as she isnt that bad. But were right near the sea. If she starts to itch then I will put the fly rug on her, but last summer she kept getting really hot in there.

This year im going to try the marmite sandwhiches. I use fly spray and also theres some stuff you can get in robinsons, http://www.robinsons-uk.com/products/Productdetail.asp?ProductCode=62455 So in the summer I wash all her mane and top of her tail as thats where she rubs with the pre wash. Then apply the other creams. Its really good stuff.

I wouldnt worry about it, ask the owner how they manage it. Its pretty simple really I wouldnt worry about it.

xx

 

[Suzie86]

hi
i've had my boy 8 years and he suffers quite badly from sweet itch. It probably starts affecting him around late april/may, through to around october. I've tried all the lotions and potions etc but none of them worked on him so he just has a fly sheet on 24/7 through the summer. I try and keep him in first thing and at dusk when the midgies tend to be worse, and i fence the field with electric so theres less for him to scratch on and get sore. I wouldnt let it put you off - sure its an inconvenience and not nice to see them suffering... but if you like her and you think shes the pony for you then go for it! No horse is perfect after all

 

[Echo Bravo]

Have owned mare for 7 years with severe sweet-itch and because of it she's unridable.
She has 2 boett rugs and masks that help with her body but not legs and because she was treated with Benzole Benzlyte, I think I spelt it right as soon as she see you with anything looking like creams or lotions, she goes ape sh*t. This is the first winter where I've been able to rug her up as normal, but as soon as the warm weather comes and the midges start buzzing, it will be back to the old regime, in before 4pm and not out till 10am, it rules my life. So if loan pony not to bad just put fly sheet on and make sure there is nowhere it can rub tail, mane or back or head. but sweet-itch does get worse over time, try the national sweet-itch web site they helped me a lot.