Sweetitch rugs?

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Emmahi

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We have a mini Shetland who gets Sweetitch. In previous years she has been swaddled in a boett blanket. Problem is she has absolutely no regard for electric fencing, only takes for one escape and rug in shreds. Costs me a fortune! Have tried this year the BioEos tablets and it has been lovely to actually see her rugless in the summer! However yesterday have spotted scabs on tail, so I am going to have to buy another rug.
Question is which are the best? Boett fit her (she really is weeny) but is there anything a bit tougher?

Many thanks
 
That might be your problem then - she's already itchy, and if she has nothing to scratch against then it can send them mad and determined to escape it - electric fence or not. I can't say I blame them when they do it. Does she have any shelter in the field? Anything to itch on? You were possibly a little optimistic when you left her rug off before knowing if the tablets work....!

Can you not bring her out of the peak midge times? The boett is probably the best rug around, cant say I've used it because my budget is never that big (!) but I'd probably start looking into some creams/supplements to sooth the itchy bits and repel the flies.
 
Its so unusual to find someone on this forum who's actually TRIED the BioEos tablets. I've put threads up on here before asking if anyone has tried them, without any response!!! So good to know of someone who has.

So, (forgive me - I'm being mega dense here): I understand OP that you gave your Shetland the BioEos tablets, then because you felt they were working, THEN you turned out without a protective rug on??? Because it might just be that (dare I say it) the tablets haven't perhaps worked as well as you'd hoped and all its done is given the midges the chance to have a good old bite? Forgive me if stating the obvious.

Sorry I can't recommend anything for a small pony like yours; mine wears the Rambo Sweet itch hoody, which IMO is unsurpassable - but don't know if they do it for little'uns.

But I'd still like to know more about the BioEos tablets! Whether you felt they worked or not, or whether you'd buy them again (they're not cheap, I know). PM me if you prefer. If anyone else wants to research this, its on the "national sweet itch centre" website if you Google it.
 
Yes,she had been on tablets all through winter and started off in last years boett rug as well. Wrecked that, so decided to try her with no rug and just a very strong fly spray.
All had been going well and just noticed some scabs on tail. Sudacrem on and back o findin a rug.
So far she has done about 8 months on tablets and can't say she is any better than last summer.
 
MiJodsR2BlinkinTite said:
Its so unusual to find someone on this forum who's actually TRIED the BioEos tablets. I've put threads up on here before asking if anyone has tried them, without any response!!! So good to know of someone who has.

So, (forgive me - I'm being mega dense here): I understand OP that you gave your Shetland the BioEos tablets, then because you felt they were working, THEN you turned out without a protective rug on??? Because it might just be that (dare I say it) the tablets haven't perhaps worked as well as you'd hoped and all its done is given the midges the chance to have a good old bite? Forgive me if stating the obvious.

Sorry I can't recommend anything for a small pony like yours; mine wears the Rambo Sweet itch hoody, which IMO is unsurpassable - but don't know if they do it for little'uns.

But I'd still like to know more about the BioEos tablets! Whether you felt they worked or not, or whether you'd buy them again (they're not cheap, I know). PM me if you prefer. If anyone else wants to research this, its on the "national sweet itch centre" website if you Google it.
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Am sure I've replied to threads about BioEos tablets. I did the testing via my vet for them with my Friesian (RIP) and they definitely improved her, severe, sweet itch. I never left her without her Boett except for a few hours during the day when I was around, as didn't want to risk her getting bitten and reacting. What they did was make her reaction less severe. Also did the Cavalesse trial - waste of space.
 
Nicnac said:
Am sure I've replied to threads about BioEos tablets. I did the testing via my vet for them with my Friesian (RIP) and they definitely improved her, severe, sweet itch. I never left her without her Boett except for a few hours during the day when I was around, as didn't want to risk her getting bitten and reacting. What they did was make her reaction less severe. Also did the Cavalesse trial - waste of space.
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oooOOOhh....... thanks for this. This is interesting. Mine has Brewers Yeast which is the most cheap and cheerful supplement I know of; he's been vet-classed as Mild to Moderate so I find the best thing is just to keep him covered up. Don't think I could ever afford the BioEos pills TBH.
 
Um, hate to say this, and probably shouldn't on here. But I bought the "Pagony" rug from this website, bummed up to be a wonderful thing and as good as a Boett, and was really disappointed by the quality of it, the stitching wouldn't have held together if a fly had worn it and I had to get my dear little old sewing machine out to do it all again.

Rubbishy thing, a total waste of money, wish I'd sent it back. Can't comment on the other rugs mentioned as have never tried them.
 
I don't think the pagony is for severe itchers though is it? I've always seen it as your average fly rug.

Horsesforever I take it you've used the demeulenkamp rugs? I've always wanted to try one but too scared to risk all that money on something that doesn't work!
 
I have a snuggy hood rug for mine and really like it. I also had a pagony, which was OK, but didn't cover as much.
I had an interesting chat with another sweet itch owner tonight at PC, who thought she preferred the cover of our snuggy to her Boett. I'm pleased with it - 4th year now and it has only had to have one repair. I do put it on early in the year though.
 
Ice tried the bio capsules, didn't do anything for my pony. Only thing that has helped has been global herbs skratch, had to start feeding it a pinch a week till I got to full dose, still amazed that he eats it now as it smells rank. First time I have it to him he kicked his feed bucket across the yard, but no happily eats it, but it's god awful smelly stuff. And as for rugs Rambo sweet itch hoody is the toughest rug but not sure about mini sizes.
 
We have had two with bad sweetitch on Bioeos tablets for 2 years. They have both improved a bit, one more than the other, but still need the rugs. Tried brewers yeast last year on one to no effect. May try Scratch this year if I can get him to eat it. My gelding hasn't bitten any pieces out of his sheath since he was on the tablets which he was doing every summer :( and doesn't chew his legs as much and the mare hasn't mutilated herself at all and previously she was the worst of the two.
 
I have tried everything on my severe si mare. Cavalesse did nothing. Bioeos nothing. She gets brewers yeast, linseed etc. This year I have tried the injection. I would say she is mildly better but I have accepted that she will need rugging and a fly mask on for most of the year.
Re the rugs, I have a snuggy (great until IT is very hot then she lost chunks of mane), pagony and demeulenkamp, ok but get poo on the back end so need washing every week, rambo - great except for belly coverage, and the shires copy of the rambo. This is not such a strong fabric but I actually prefer IT as has a better midline cover and a softer fabric around the ears. IT is half the price of the rambo. So as my other rugs die and need replacing IT will be shires for us.
Oh and skratch didn't work either.
 
It's depressing isn't it! We all seem to want to do the best for our horses,but still waiting for that magic cure. Bitten the bullet and ordered another boett. They are brilliant just very expensive. Will carry on with the tablets but not sure will buy any more. Back to electric fencing and separation paddocks.
 
Rambo for mine but not sure if they do small enough sizes. Coopers Fly Repellent Plus is a must for mine too and has really made a difference for my cob around his sheath, belly and face areas. He is a severe sufferer and I couldn't even contemplate no rug.
RE electric fencing?..Is it on the mains or a battery? Mains gives a better kick. Also, with my shetland, I have to have the stakes very close together (about 3 or 4 strides apart) and the wire really tensioned or he will get through. Usually, if there is no give in the wire and it gives a good kick then they won't try it.
I also try to make sure my cob is regulary groomed and has plenty of mane and tail spray on. I make sure his target area's are nice and slippery :D

Perhaps this place will have something useful....
http://www.tackandturnout.co.uk/epa...Shops/jr29kctxxscu/Categories/5_FlySweet_Itch
 
We used a mark Todd combo fly rug for our SI pony, its a very close weave with silk type lining down the mane and on the tail flap and much stronger than the boett type .I would see if you can pick up a second hand one.
 
Love Snuggy Hoods here too!

I do have four different rugs that I use at different times when it's rainy, very hot, windy etc...they all have different things good about them but the Snuggy is the best overall for my pony
 
snuggy, premier equine sweetitch and rambo sweetitch hoody - all good and tough, though a v itchy horse will paste anything lol!
 
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