Sweet itch

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amy_mcc1998

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Those of you that have horses/ponies with sweet itch, when do you start rugging and applying lotions and potions? I've spotted quite a few midges out and about recently but I haven't seen my pony scratching yet. Should I start rugging him now?
 
As past owner start now as my poor mare suffered badly and one past owner must have used pure Benzote benzotly on her sores because as soon as she smelt it in the air she would go beszerk and I could never get near her to put anything on her to help the itch used the Boett rugs which was a great help to a certain extent but after 11 years of battles and many many tears and in those 11 years I rode her twice I did the right thing and her pts she was 17
 
I started with the lotions about three weeks ago. The feed supplements ages before that

He isn't wearing a sweet itch rug yet but is in a turnout combo which affords decent cover

I will switch to a Snuggy hood body and neck under a lightweight combo turnout soon

Then eventually lose the turnout obviously
 
Both of my sweet itchers are naked through winter but I pop an appropriate rug on around Feb/March depending on the weather to make sure they are protected the moment the midges arrive. I have just started applying fly spray (Coopers Fly Repellent Plus) as an added measure.
Neither are rubbing (yet)
 
I haven't seen him rubbing but I think he's starting to rub his bum a bit, I think I'll just start rugging him now to be on the safe side. I'd like to show him a little bit this year so don't want him having half a mane and tail missing!
 
OP the simple answer to your question is "yes", I WOULD rug now, asap in fact, as there are already midges around now its gone hot and sunny.

I usually start thinking about the dreaded sweet itch, and rugging appropriately, round about the February school half term holiday; but start feeding supplements (if you're going to do that) round about middle of January to let it get into their system. I feed Linseed, Brewers Yeast, Cider Vinegar, and Clivers.

With sweet itch, you need to get in there with the rugs BEFORE the midges get onto the horse and start biting. So TBH if its a mild wet winter then you'll still have to keep a lookout; I always look for the temperature and its above 10C then you'll need to rug them, but I've also seen the dreaded beasties around when its lower than this on a still day, so you can't really relax anytime!

I use the Rambo SI hoody rug, or Premier Equine ones are a good cheaper alternative (but their sizes tend to be a bit wacky!).

Also consider turnout, wet low lying fields in valleys or near woodlands are worst, best a high windswept field with plenty of breeze if you can get it. Even moving say half a mile away can make a huge difference.

Potions: I tend to use Neem Oil, about a teaspoon, dissolved in about half a pint of Pig oil (no sulphur added as this can be very caustic). This works for mine, but you'll have to watch out if you're using an oil and the sun is very hot coz with oil you're gonna cook the poor horse. If he's itchy and/or sore, I'll use Killitch (benzyl benzoate), or even better is Sudocrem (but I think you have to beware if competing and using this?? not sure, someone else on here will doubtless know???).

For riding: I use a ride-on fly sheet by Horseware. Looks like a jousting horse, but don't care!
 
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I've rugged him up tonight. I haven't seen him rubbing so hopefully I've rugged him quick enough. He's been getting cider vinegar in his water at least twice a week for a couple of months now. I have stinky stuff for him which is basically just neem oil.
 
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