switch itch help!

[isabellexrupert]

hello!
i have a nearly 3 yr old horse who last summer became very unbearably itchy and is becoming the same again this year. last year we got the vet out who ran blood tests and a spot treatment and a vaccine against mites, the itchyness improved for around 2 or 3 weeks. bloods came back to say he didn't have sweetitch; however he shows all the signs of sweetitch. also i have read online that sweetitch only starts to develops at 4/5 yr olds so does that mean my youngster doesnt have it as hes only nearly 3?

thinking about getting the vet back out again.

horse has become itchy whilst being away getting backed and is at the point where he hates the bottem of his neck being touched as its so sore!

we are also going to get a sweetitch rug for him but am unsure of what brand... any suggestions?

thanks for reading

 

[Sugar_and_Spice]

IME sweet itch comes out in their 2nd/3rd year, so no yours isn't too young. The Boett rugs are very effective and worth the expense, when they get ripped the company will sell you off-cuts so you can repair. You can remove the belly piece and keep the horse rugged while you ride if necessary too. AFAIK the injection for mites isn't a vaccine but a treatment which kills them and needs repeating a second time 2-3wks later, to kill the new ones from the eggs which have hatched.

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

I'd ask for bloods to be taken again and see what comes up. Ask the vet to test for the cullicoides midge specifically. The horse sounds like it has all the classic signs of SI so can't think why this didn't come up in the bloods. There are other allergens apart from midge-bite that can cause issues, and you need to know what's what really.

I'd be inclined to chuck a rug on: you won't do any harm and might do a lot of good. Best rug IMO is the Rambo sweet itch hoody, followed by (cheaper) the Premier Equine Sweet Itch ones. Boett ones are supposed to be good but need to go on over the head (some horses, like mine, hate this).

Try feeding linseed, brewers yeast, Cider Vinegar, and Clivers. Avoid garlic like the plague as it can exacerbate Sweet Itch.

If you can, move the horse to a high windy field away from standing water or streams, or woodlands. Even a move of half a mile can make all the difference to a sweet itchy.

 

[Landcruiser]

I managed to get hold of some benzyl benzoate this year, and it's made all the difference to my sweet itchy horse. He wears a rambo sweet itch hoody and is lavishly sprayed, but has previously rubbed out his mane and tail by this time of year. This year he has a lustrous mane and tail. So far so good.

 

[isabellexrupert]

Thank you all so much for the replies so much! All your suggestions have been really helpful so far.

 

[cavalo branco]

I managed to get hold of some benzyl benzoate this year, and it's made all the difference to my sweet itchy horse. He wears a rambo sweet itch hoody and is lavishly sprayed, but has previously rubbed out his mane and tail by this time of year. This year he has a lustrous mane and tail. So far so good.

Benzyl Benzoate really works with my boy too.That and a PE sweet itch rug, job done! I keep my two boys at home which is unfortunately very damp with a river and 2 ponds....

 

[buddylove]

I am another fan of benzyl benzoate, deosect, or power phaser spray. A good SI rug like Rambo hoodies and Mark todd ultra are my preferred ones. Rug needs to be worn from feb/March all the way through to winter, I have 3 on the go so they can be kept clean and rotated regularly. I also don't feed anything with alfalfa in as I think that exacerbates the issue. I only feed healthy herbal chaff to carry supplements. His field is open and exposed with no trees or fences to scratch on. This year has probably been his best so far, unfortunately it does tend to be a bit trial and error to find what works best for you and your horse.

 

[Pinkvboots]

my old mare used to get itchy she only used to rub her mane and face and I found washing the neck and face every few weeks in summer with a medicated shampoo really helped, she wore a sweet itch hood from March through to October and she would be fine, if your horse is itchy now I would get that under control before rugging or they tend to still rub and destroy the rug.

 

[isabellexrupert]

Benzyl Benzoate really works with my boy too.That and a PE sweet itch rug, job done! I keep my two boys at home which is unfortunately very damp with a river and 2 ponds....

i must look into that! the yard we were at last summer had a river/pond/lake next to our field so that was what made him unbearably itchy! luckily there is no water at our new yard but still has the itchiness

 

[isabellexrupert]

my old mare used to get itchy she only used to rub her mane and face and I found washing the neck and face every few weeks in summer with a medicated shampoo really helped, she wore a sweet itch hood from March through to October and she would be fine, if your horse is itchy now I would get that under control before rugging or they tend to still rub and destroy the rug.

what type of shampoo do you recommend?

 

[isabellexrupert]

is sweet itch a big problem because this horse is going to be my lifetime horse and i`m worried that the sweet itch will get in the way of things in the summer and maybe alter his performance?

 

[paddy555]

is sweet itch a big problem because this horse is going to be my lifetime horse and i`m worried that the sweet itch will get in the way of things in the summer and maybe alter his performance?

mine started slightly at 2 and was very bad at 3.
Yes it is a big thing as it can drive the horse crazy let alone what it looks like. Only way I found was rugging, I use rambo SI hoody and a boett face mask. I found all the other fly masks useless. If yours is affected around the ears you may need this as the holes in the ears of the SI hoody don't always stay in place.

After trial and error and only solution I found was full rugging. Mine also has a shelter so can get out of the way of the midges am and pm.
Mine is unridden but if you wanted to ride in the evenings when the midges are out I guess you would need protection. If you rode in the middle of the day when no midges you may get away with it.
I would buy whichever rug you can ride in. You couldn't ride in a rambo SI hoody.
There is a very good FB sweet itch group.

 

[joosie]

Mine was 2 when he first started showing symptoms.
It is definitely worse near water or wet ground, he used to live on a farm while a stream in every field and the midges drove him crazy, he's now on loan to a riding school and living in a dry lot so is doing much better.
Rambo sweet itch hoody is my recommendation too. I've tried about 10 different rugs with my boy and that is by far the best. He still rubbed his tail so I sewed an extra piece of material on the inside of the tail flap for extra protection. This is the first cover that lasted an entire season without needing major repairs! He wears it from late February til November, I once took his rug off in mid October thinking he'd be ok and got back from a 5 day break to a pony with no mane to speak of.
Benzyl benzoate is fantastic and highly underrated these days thanks to all the fancy sweet itch products on the market. I used it on an SI Shetland as well and it transformed him. I also bathe my pony once a week with aloe vera shampoo to get the itch out so to speak, including mane and tail, and rub aloe Vera gel into any sore that appears.

 

[Cecile]

Every horse is so different but this worked for me
Weekly wash in Dentinox cradle cap shampoo (Weather permitting)
Keep away from dung heap and have dung heap removed regularly
Keep water troughs spotless
Clear up any standing water
I used a Boett blanket
Feed wise I kept everything very simple with no molasses

Only other thing was when they were doing the SI trials for vaccination it was noted that although the ones in the trial came from incredibly good/caring homes it was noted that there was a problem with worm burden in some (Read it such a long time ago so you would need to check this out to verify), not sure if it ended up relevant or not

Vet recommended Switch when it kicked off for the very first time, after that it was trial and error until I found out what worked for that pony

 

[meleeka]

A friend has had great success with the itch relief from Biteback. It soothes the skin where it's sore so breaks the cycle.

 

[Dave's Mam]

I'd ask for bloods to be taken again and see what comes up. Ask the vet to test for the cullicoides midge specifically. The horse sounds like it has all the classic signs of SI so can't think why this didn't come up in the bloods. There are other allergens apart from midge-bite that can cause issues, and you need to know what's what really.

I'd be inclined to chuck a rug on: you won't do any harm and might do a lot of good. Best rug IMO is the Rambo sweet itch hoody, followed by (cheaper) the Premier Equine Sweet Itch ones. Boett ones are supposed to be good but need to go on over the head (some horses, like mine, hate this).

Try feeding linseed, brewers yeast, Cider Vinegar, and Clivers. Avoid garlic like the plague as it can exacerbate Sweet Itch.

If you can, move the horse to a high windy field away from standing water or streams, or woodlands. Even a move of half a mile can make all the difference to a sweet itchy.

This with bells on.

 

[patchwork puzzle]

A little unconventional but I've found witch hazel and arnica gel is working better than anything for my SI mare this year. She normally rubs her forehead on everything but since I've been using this she's so so much better.

 

[Sugar_and_Spice]

is sweet itch a big problem because this horse is going to be my lifetime horse and i`m worried that the sweet itch will get in the way of things in the summer and maybe alter his performance?

Depends how bad the sweet itch is. Some are so badly affected they can't be ridden in summer, though I've never met one like that. All the ones I've met who have had sores on them weren't being managed properly, either because the owner hadn't yet worked out what they needed and were still in the trial/error process, or because they had owners who didn't care and didn't treat it, the type of people who leave the horse in the field and don't even visit daily.

Mine is allergic to Benzyl Benzoate and it makes his skin flake and peel, becomming very sore. Fly repellent with DEET works well for mine, as does Barrier's Super Plus Fly Repellent. Something oily in the mane and tail because the midges don't like to bite through oily things, currently using Dermoline Sweet Itch Lotion for that. If any sores come, I'll put aloe vera gel on then when it's dried, some Heel to Hoof (oily mud fever cream). One of the most helpful things for mine is to stable overnight, I can get 10-12hrs turnout without too much issue, but if I want 24/7 turnout I have to take full sweet itch precautions. I wash off with water if sweaty after a ride, but never have to ride in a sweet itch rug (mine actually doesn't have one, out naked and fine with the other precautions). I find keeping the horse very clean to help, seems to rub more if dirty. I use Dermoline Insecticidal shampoo or aloe vera shampoo or citronella shampoo, whatever I've got handy. I won't use ordinary shampoo because I consider it a missed opportunity to get something useful on. I don't bath much, maybe once or twice a year, except the mane and tail which are done weekly because the dirt sticks to the oily stuff in there.

The sweet itch really doesn't bother me that much. No horse is perfect. To look at you wouldn't even know mine had it, now it's managed correctly. I've seen other horses the same. One the mane/tail shampooed with tea tree shampoo daily, and one who had a Boett rug, both previously full of sores until the solution was found.

 

[isabellexrupert]

mine started slightly at 2 and was very bad at 3.
Yes it is a big thing as it can drive the horse crazy let alone what it looks like. Only way I found was rugging, I use rambo SI hoody and a boett face mask. I found all the other fly masks useless. If yours is affected around the ears you may need this as the holes in the ears of the SI hoody don't always stay in place.

After trial and error and only solution I found was full rugging. Mine also has a shelter so can get out of the way of the midges am and pm.
Mine is unridden but if you wanted to ride in the evenings when the midges are out I guess you would need protection. If you rode in the middle of the day when no midges you may get away with it.
I would buy whichever rug you can ride in. You couldn't ride in a rambo SI hoody.
There is a very good FB sweet itch group.

i will try and find that fb page!

 

[isabellexrupert]

Mine was 2 when he first started showing symptoms.
It is definitely worse near water or wet ground, he used to live on a farm while a stream in every field and the midges drove him crazy, he's now on loan to a riding school and living in a dry lot so is doing much better.
Rambo sweet itch hoody is my recommendation too. I've tried about 10 different rugs with my boy and that is by far the best. He still rubbed his tail so I sewed an extra piece of material on the inside of the tail flap for extra protection. This is the first cover that lasted an entire season without needing major repairs! He wears it from late February til November, I once took his rug off in mid October thinking he'd be ok and got back from a 5 day break to a pony with no mane to speak of.
Benzyl benzoate is fantastic and highly underrated these days thanks to all the fancy sweet itch products on the market. I used it on an SI Shetland as well and it transformed him. I also bathe my pony once a week with aloe vera shampoo to get the itch out so to speak, including mane and tail, and rub aloe Vera gel into any sore that appears.

where is the best place to find Benzyl Benzoate? today after visiting badminton we purchased the NAF d-itch supplement so we will try that. have seen Snuggy Hoods have a really good bib thing which covers the next years and face with fringe round the eyes, this may be worth getting...

 

[isabellexrupert]

A little unconventional but I've found witch hazel and arnica gel is working better than anything for my SI mare this year. She normally rubs her forehead on everything but since I've been using this she's so so much better.

will look into that thank you!

 

[Gloi]

https://www.facebook.com/groups/210003972362738/

We have two which are pretty bad. Boett plus hood and electric fencing are a must along with coating any part of the body not covered by the rug , such as legs , with some greasy repellent product. The worst problem I find in summer is being unable to tie them up when getting ready to ride without them trying to rub on everything, or going somewhere away from home where it isn't set up for itchy ponies. Hopefully yours won't be too bad but it will likely cause you problems if you are trying to compete in peak sweet itch season even if it's just because they rub like mad in the trailer whilst travelling

 

[isabellexrupert]

Depends how bad the sweet itch is. Some are so badly affected they can't be ridden in summer, though I've never met one like that. All the ones I've met who have had sores on them weren't being managed properly, either because the owner hadn't yet worked out what they needed and were still in the trial/error process, or because they had owners who didn't care and didn't treat it, the type of people who leave the horse in the field and don't even visit daily.

Mine is allergic to Benzyl Benzoate and it makes his skin flake and peel, becomming very sore. Fly repellent with DEET works well for mine, as does Barrier's Super Plus Fly Repellent. Something oily in the mane and tail because the midges don't like to bite through oily things, currently using Dermoline Sweet Itch Lotion for that. If any sores come, I'll put aloe vera gel on then when it's dried, some Heel to Hoof (oily mud fever cream). One of the most helpful things for mine is to stable overnight, I can get 10-12hrs turnout without too much issue, but if I want 24/7 turnout I have to take full sweet itch precautions. I wash off with water if sweaty after a ride, but never have to ride in a sweet itch rug (mine actually doesn't have one, out naked and fine with the other precautions). I find keeping the horse very clean to help, seems to rub more if dirty. I use Dermoline Insecticidal shampoo or aloe vera shampoo or citronella shampoo, whatever I've got handy. I won't use ordinary shampoo because I consider it a missed opportunity to get something useful on. I don't bath much, maybe once or twice a year, except the mane and tail which are done weekly because the dirt sticks to the oily stuff in there.

The sweet itch really doesn't bother me that much. No horse is perfect. To look at you wouldn't even know mine had it, now it's managed correctly. I've seen other horses the same. One the mane/tail shampooed with tea tree shampoo daily, and one who had a Boett rug, both previously full of sores until the solution was found.

thank you for the very helpful information! im hoping the suppliment i bought him today will do the job and im deffinitly going to invest in a SI rug, which one i havnt decided yet! maybe try the rambo or snuggy hoods rug first and if that doesnt work maybe the expensive boett rug will!

 

[Gloi]

thank you for the very helpful information! im hoping the suppliment i bought him today will do the job and im deffinitly going to invest in a SI rug, which one i havnt decided yet! maybe try the rambo or snuggy hoods rug first and if that doesnt work maybe the expensive boett rug will!

Sadly we have never found any supplements that made any difference at all.

 

[paddy555]

benzyl


http://www.hyperdrug.co.uk/Easivet-Benzyl-Benzoate-Application-1L/Productinfo/BENZYLEASI/

 

[isabellexrupert]

https://www.facebook.com/groups/210003972362738/

We have two which are pretty bad. Boett plus hood and electric fencing are a must along with coating any part of the body not covered by the rug , such as legs , with some greasy repellent product. The worst problem I find in summer is being unable to tie them up when getting ready to ride without them trying to rub on everything, or going somewhere away from home where it isn't set up for itchy ponies. Hopefully yours won't be too bad but it will likely cause you problems if you are trying to compete in peak sweet itch season even if it's just because they rub like mad in the trailer whilst travelling

yeah i had that issue last year, i couldnt tie him up to groom him!