Sweet itch

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Cluelessblonde

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Hi all,

So it's been a good couple of years since ive dealt with it. Sweet itch.

I used to use the Rambo white rug but any rug recommendations?

Also lotions and potions? I used to use benzyl b (can't spell), Avon so soft mainly.

Curry comb twice a day and keep rugs clean. Nothing in the field to scratch and feed cider vinegar and cod liver oil.

Am I missing anything. Is there any rugs/potions that I have missed.

Was thinking wash with botinica/Jani bars. Maybe hog the mane and start again?

Tia
 
I use a snuggy hood and a Shires sweet itch rug with belly wrap and also a ‘nappy’ on my mare in summer.
I have cut out as much sugar as I can in her diet and also all alfalfa.
I have used Bite back creams when necessary but since she arrived 2 years ago she has had very little itchiness.

I am sure others have different ways of easing this condition but, crosses fingers, so far this seems to be working for us.
 
Meredith said:
I use a snuggy hood and a Shires sweet itch rug with belly wrap and also a ‘nappy’ on my mare in summer.
I have cut out as much sugar as I can in her diet and also all alfalfa.
I have used Bite back creams when necessary but since she arrived 2 years ago she has had very little itchiness.

I am sure others have different ways of easing this condition but, crosses fingers, so far this seems to be working for us.
Click to expand...

A nappy?
 
There’s a vaccine which is effective but you need to do it January/February so do it now! Depo provera or something like that - ask your vet. It’s used off licence but works in the majority of horses, you need to repeat it apparently every three months or so but it’s not expensive.
One of mine had it last week so fingers crossed!
 
i have used boetts in the past but now use Bridleway sweet itch rugs. I also give my horse antihistamines and apply fly spray for hacking. I do hogg too, the horse looks nice hogged fortunately ( hes not a cob BTW) and I find hes cooler without the extra hair under the rug.
 
mine used to get a token feed of alfaA in the yellow bag,much better since we stopped that.
no garlic.
i may try some neem soap this year.
and remember to cover up before it starts.x
 
Benzoyl benzoate works well, I don't really like putting chemicals on her but needs must.
Also use neem oil, lavender wash, and pig oil on legs
 
Patterdale said:
There’s a vaccine which is effective but you need to do it January/February so do it now! Depo provera or something like that - ask your vet. It’s used off licence but works in the majority of horses, you need to repeat it apparently every three months or so but it’s not expensive.
One of mine had it last week so fingers crossed!
Click to expand...

Does that only work for confirmed sweet itch or all general itchiness?
 
Patterdale said:
There’s a vaccine which is effective but you need to do it January/February so do it now! Depo provera or something like that - ask your vet. It’s used off licence but works in the majority of horses, you need to repeat it apparently every three months or so but it’s not expensive.
One of mine had it last week so fingers crossed!
Click to expand...

Depo provera is a synthetic progesterone hormone drug for humans and the vet world is using it as an off label ‘vaccine’ for sweet itch in horses?!?
???
 
PurBee said:
Depo provera is a synthetic progesterone hormone drug for humans and the vet world is using it as an off label ‘vaccine’ for sweet itch in horses?!?
???
Click to expand...

yes that’s the one! But apparently it works and is short acting so if it affects him I just won’t repeat.
You can also use the ringworm vaccine for cattle but they say it’s not as effective.
 
most importantly act before sweet itch starts getting active. i use either a rambo fly rug or an amigo aussie rug - depending on how hot it is and how the flies are - find the aussie rug good as it gives more protection. i also use kilitch which i find is excellent and really helps my boy. in addition, i wash him really regularly - two or three times a week during the spring/summer as i find that helps to control the itch. i also put him in a paddock with electric fencing around so that he has nothing to rub on. finally, have in at least during the hours of dawn and dusk - my boy is in at night all year round as we have found that helps. good luck
 
claret09 said:
most importantly act before sweet itch starts getting active. i use either a rambo fly rug or an amigo aussie rug - depending on how hot it is and how the flies are - find the aussie rug good as it gives more protection. i also use kilitch which i find is excellent and really helps my boy. in addition, i wash him really regularly - two or three times a week during the spring/summer as i find that helps to control the itch. i also put him in a paddock with electric fencing around so that he has nothing to rub on. finally, have in at least during the hours of dawn and dusk - my boy is in at night all year round as we have found that helps. good luck
Click to expand...


Thanks I used to rubber Curry comb everywhere twice a day!
 
Mother Bee cream/ointment on any bits which look the slightest bit sore - plus cover well all the time. It contains Neem so the hair re-growth is fast too.
 
With mine the procedure was Boett rug and hood, don't bother with fly masks get the hood. Electric fence absolutely everything and use a soft trug for the water. Cover all the parts not under the rug with neem oil. Cetirizine antihistamines during the most midgey parts of the year. Graze in the driest, windiest field you can.
I tried Snuggy hoods but the hood slipped dangerously across the eyes and the rugs got really heavy in the rain and too hot in heatwaves.
 
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