Terribly Itchy horse

[de-c_1010]

Hi there,
I've scoured the forums here and online and are looking for advice. My horse is terribly itchy all over. He is a Grey PRE 10 year old imported from Spain when he was 6 and has been in Scotland since then. I have had him for 3 years. He itched when I got him and I wondered if it was because he'd been left out in a field for a good few months and so his skin was in poor condition. However, he is now in good health and happy and at the moment he is the most itchy I have ever seen him. It's obviously distressing him. We can't do the allergy test at the moment because he has some issue (not related) with one of his eyes; and so I'm trying to alleviate his irritation as much as I can now.
His itching begins at end of August in September. It is not Sweetitch. (the vets say it isn't and it doesn't look like sweetitch) In Winter it seems to calm down. I have him half clipped in Winter. He is very sensitive so comes out in big hives from mosquito or fly bites and once came out in hives on his face which I thought was from dry hay in a haynet.
He rubs his tail and all of his mane away. He will take one of his feet off the floor so can really lean into his stable door or any type of upright post/door etc. to try and scratch his neck with so much vigour I'm frightened he will slip and fall, and is difficult to pull him away from scratching. He bites himself all over to scratch; from his sides (even when you're riding him), his legs, his rump and even his tail bone. He is also scratchy all over his neck and shoulders, and literally goes into a frenzy of face pulling and grunting if you scratch him on his neck. I ride him in HiWithers cotton numnah's because he'll even try and use the saddle to scratch his withers. When riding he's generally happy and may stop to have a scratch now and again.
Washing doesn't alleviate the itch, so he is as itchy clean or dirty. The skin of his mid neck at the base of the mane is very pink in colour rather than his grey skin, and at the moment, it looks very very pink and sensitive. Previously he'd have sores in his mane, whereas this year although rubbing his mane away there are no actual sores there. I previously wondered if it was sunburn on his neck so tried Filtabac cream that didn't make a difference.

I have tried all the below and there is no difference -

All sweetitch creams incl. KillItch
Tried all washes from Dermoline and anti-itch shampoos to Hibiscrub & Neem Oil
Tried washing him every week
Tried sudocream - helps heal sores but doesn't stop itching
Given him substantial Antihistamines for 2 months
Fed him D&H ItchFree

I'll take any suggestions. Thanks in advance.

He is out in the day on grass in Scotland, and is stabled at night in a roomy stable in an undercover barn with other stabled horses. (He has previously been out at night and in during the day and made no difference to the itching). His bed is shavings. In summer he goes out in fly mask and sweetitch or full fly rug. He is fed loose hay which he wets himself, dunking it in the water bucket as he eats. He eats Thunderbrook Healthy Herb chaff twice a day. In Winter he has Timothy Hay grass blocks as a treat and they haven't made him itch.

 

[Birker2020]

The vets have said there is a massive increase in fleas and mites this year due to the weird weather we have been having. We've had issues with our dog that we've never had before, or to the extent we've had before.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Could he be eating something that has fallen from the trees like acorns or certain leaves as its worse in autumn?

I use biteback sweet relief silver cream on my horse that rubs his mane terribly I also wash most weeks in dermoline medicated shampoo.

 

[tatty_v]

I think the allergy testing is probably your best bet but in case it’s helpful, I’ve got on well with cutasol foam for my itchy boy (easier for me as it’s isolated to an area of his mane). We think his itchiness is triggered by grass growth and the expansion of his fat cells in his crest.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I think the allergy testing is probably your best bet but in case it’s helpful, I’ve got on well with cutasol foam for my itchy boy (easier for me as it’s isolated to an area of his mane). We think his itchiness is triggered by grass growth and the expansion of his fat cells in his crest.

Was gonna say it could be the grass as it can be richer end of summer so could trigger a reaction, a friend's horse went really itchy this summer vet said cut all sugar and it stopped, she also can't be left out too long in the field when the grass is rich.

 

[cobgoblin]

I'd try cutting out the herbal chaff and feed plain chaff for a while. It could be sensitivity to one of the herbs.

 

[cobgoblin]

It might also be worth phoning Thunderbrooks to find out if their meadow grasses include any alfalfa.

 

[splashgirl45]

It could be linked to shavings maybe try paper or cardboard for a while so you can eliminate the bedding , you seem to have tried most things so can’t think of anything else

 

[tatty_v]

Was gonna say it could be the grass as it can be richer end of summer so could trigger a reaction, a friend's horse went really itchy this summer vet said cut all sugar and it stopped, she also can't be left out too long in the field when the grass is rich.

We’ve definitely noticed a correlation between the grass growth and itchiness. Since we’ve figured that out it’s been easier to manage (before I just assumed it was sweet itch).

 

[Burnttoast]

Timing suggests harvest mite. Has your vet suggested this?

 

[AmyMay]

Can you break down what you actually feed him?

 

[de-c_1010]

Could he be eating something that has fallen from the trees like acorns or certain leaves as its worse in autumn?

I use biteback sweet relief silver cream on my horse that rubs his mane terribly I also wash most weeks in dermoline medicated shampoo.

He could be. He was stabled somewhere else when I first got him and ate the trees there.

 

[de-c_1010]

Timing suggests harvest mite. Has your vet suggested this?

No they havent. I havent heard of that.

 

[de-c_1010]

Can you break down what you actually feed him?

Grass from field.
Loose hay at night.
Thunderbrook Herbal chaff morning and nite - small handful wet which is listed as a mix of Dehydrated grass, linseed oil, chamomile flowers and leaves dried, lemon balm dried, mint leaves dried.
Sugar free treats or apple or carrot - but not alot.

 

[AmyMay]

What’s the ingredients of the treats?

 

[de-c_1010]

I'd try cutting out the herbal chaff and feed plain chaff for a while. It could be sensitivity to one of the herbs.

Wouldnt that affect him all year around tho since he eats the same chaff 24/7

 

[cobgoblin]

Wouldnt that affect him all year around tho since he eats the same chaff 24/7

Sorry I missed that it was only in autumn.

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

I've heard somewhere there's a sort of Pepper that's supposed to help with itching; is it "Black Pepper"?? Seem to recall something from a group I'm on.

 

[de-c_1010]

What’s the ingredients of the treats?

I swap around but normally 100% natural and molasses and sugar free such as NAF ie.Barley, Wheat, Forage Meal (Lucerne)

 

[de-c_1010]

I've heard somewhere there's a sort of Pepper that's supposed to help with itching; is it "Black Pepper"?? Seem to recall something from a group I'm on.

tumeric and black pepper i think maybe is good for skin?

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

We’ve definitely noticed a correlation between the grass growth and itchiness. Since we’ve figured that out it’s been easier to manage (before I just assumed it was sweet itch).

It could just be a sugar intolerance I would be tempted to leave the horse in for a bit and see if it calms down, definitely look in the field though he could be gorging on something that is causing it, mine go mad for the hawthorn and dead thistle this time of year they have their heads in the hedgerow alot I've noticed.

 

[Widgeon]

We think his itchiness is triggered by grass growth and the expansion of his fat cells in his crest.

I was also going to mention sugar - my horse (who I've had for 4 years now, I think) was horribly itchy in the spring to autumn, mostly on his bum. He lives out 24/7. Then he was diagnosed with EMS, treated, and put onto an even-more-restricted grass regime. Since then, the itching has stopped. So I (with my N=1!) am personally convinced that sugar intolerance can cause itching. I'm pretty sure the same is true of diabetic humans.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I was also going to mention sugar - my horse (who I've had for 4 years now, I think) was horribly itchy in the spring to autumn, mostly on his bum. He lives out 24/7. Then he was diagnosed with EMS, treated, and put onto an even-more-restricted grass regime. Since then, the itching has stopped. So I (with my N=1!) am personally convinced that sugar intolerance can cause itching. I'm pretty sure the same is true of diabetic humans.

An old vet told me once that he believed alot of horses believed to have true sweet itch as in a reaction to midges were probably reacting more to the sugar in grass and had metabolic issues, perhaps that's why it's called sweet itch kind of makes sense when you think about it.

 

[tatty_v]

It could just be a sugar intolerance I would be tempted to leave the horse in for a bit and see if it calms down, definitely look in the field though he could be gorging on something that is causing it, mine go mad for the hawthorn and dead thistle this time of year they have their heads in the hedgerow alot I've noticed.

The penny dropped for us when he had to be box rested for a bit. A couple of days in the itching stopped, as did some of his more frantic behaviours around food. I’ve had him a couple of years now and it’s the same pattern, always flares when the grass gets good in spring and autumn. He’s a delight during the winter and a hot, dry summer!

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

The penny dropped for us when he had to be box rested for a bit. A couple of days in the itching stopped, as did some of his more frantic behaviours around food. I’ve had him a couple of years now and it’s the same pattern, always flares when the grass gets good in spring and autumn. He’s a delight during the winter and a hot, dry summer!

My Louis can be a bit reactive to the grass I always notice his more itchy when it rains and the grass grows more, he was much more itchy this year because of the wet summer whereas last year he was fine, I think some people don't make the connection and immediately think its insects.

 

[Cortez]

I have managed PRE's with sweetitch for far too many years - I will never willingly take on a horse with it again; soul destroying. I have had the allergy testing done on one which came back saying he was allergic to myriad things, but primarily grass. We fed him on alfalfa and straw for several years, with limited improvement since he was also allergic to midges (classic sweetitch).

 

[ycbm]

I was given a horrifically itchy grey Lusitano partbred with scars to prove it. He was fat and lame with very weak feet. I slimmed him down and the itching reduced. I took him off grass when I realised he was extremely reactive to it in the feet, and the itching stopped. In spite of appearing to have classic sweet itch he was never allergic to midge bites.
.

 

[SEL]

Linseed is a problem with one of mine.

Piriton stops her itching herself raw but harvest mites are a nightmare this year

 

[JEZA]

Hi there,
I've scoured the forums here and online and are looking for advice. My horse is terribly itchy all over. He is a Grey PRE 10 year old imported from Spain when he was 6 and has been in Scotland since then. I have had him for 3 years. He itched when I got him and I wondered if it was because he'd been left out in a field for a good few months and so his skin was in poor condition. However, he is now in good health and happy and at the moment he is the most itchy I have ever seen him. It's obviously distressing him. We can't do the allergy test at the moment because he has some issue (not related) with one of his eyes; and so I'm trying to alleviate his irritation as much as I can now.
His itching begins at end of August in September. It is not Sweetitch. (the vets say it isn't and it doesn't look like sweetitch) In Winter it seems to calm down. I have him half clipped in Winter. He is very sensitive so comes out in big hives from mosquito or fly bites and once came out in hives on his face which I thought was from dry hay in a haynet.
He rubs his tail and all of his mane away. He will take one of his feet off the floor so can really lean into his stable door or any type of upright post/door etc. to try and scratch his neck with so much vigour I'm frightened he will slip and fall, and is difficult to pull him away from scratching. He bites himself all over to scratch; from his sides (even when you're riding him), his legs, his rump and even his tail bone. He is also scratchy all over his neck and shoulders, and literally goes into a frenzy of face pulling and grunting if you scratch him on his neck. I ride him in HiWithers cotton numnah's because he'll even try and use the saddle to scratch his withers. When riding he's generally happy and may stop to have a scratch now and again.
Washing doesn't alleviate the itch, so he is as itchy clean or dirty. The skin of his mid neck at the base of the mane is very pink in colour rather than his grey skin, and at the moment, it looks very very pink and sensitive. Previously he'd have sores in his mane, whereas this year although rubbing his mane away there are no actual sores there. I previously wondered if it was sunburn on his neck so tried Filtabac cream that didn't make a difference.

I have tried all the below and there is no difference -

All sweetitch creams incl. KillItch
Tried all washes from Dermoline and anti-itch shampoos to Hibiscrub & Neem Oil
Tried washing him every week
Tried sudocream - helps heal sores but doesn't stop itching
Given him substantial Antihistamines for 2 months
Fed him D&H ItchFree

I'll take any suggestions. Thanks in advance.

He is out in the day on grass in Scotland, and is stabled at night in a roomy stable in an undercover barn with other stabled horses. (He has previously been out at night and in during the day and made no difference to the itching). His bed is shavings. In summer he goes out in fly mask and sweetitch or full fly rug. He is fed loose hay which he wets himself, dunking it in the water bucket as he eats. He eats Thunderbrook Healthy Herb chaff twice a day. In Winter he has Timothy Hay grass blocks as a treat and they haven't made him itch.

Did u get to the bottom of this? Mines been scratching like hell for 4 years and I’ve just realised, it’s the alalpha in the feed. I think the garlic additive didn’t help too!!!

 

[equinelogic]

Hi there,
I've scoured the forums here and online and are looking for advice. My horse is terribly itchy all over. He is a Grey PRE 10 year old imported from Spain when he was 6 and has been in Scotland since then. I have had him for 3 years. He itched when I got him and I wondered if it was because he'd been left out in a field for a good few months and so his skin was in poor condition. However, he is now in good health and happy and at the moment he is the most itchy I have ever seen him. It's obviously distressing him. We can't do the allergy test at the moment because he has some issue (not related) with one of his eyes; and so I'm trying to alleviate his irritation as much as I can now.
His itching begins at end of August in September. It is not Sweetitch. (the vets say it isn't and it doesn't look like sweetitch) In Winter it seems to calm down. I have him half clipped in Winter. He is very sensitive so comes out in big hives from mosquito or fly bites and once came out in hives on his face which I thought was from dry hay in a haynet.
He rubs his tail and all of his mane away. He will take one of his feet off the floor so can really lean into his stable door or any type of upright post/door etc. to try and scratch his neck with so much vigour I'm frightened he will slip and fall, and is difficult to pull him away from scratching. He bites himself all over to scratch; from his sides (even when you're riding him), his legs, his rump and even his tail bone. He is also scratchy all over his neck and shoulders, and literally goes into a frenzy of face pulling and grunting if you scratch him on his neck. I ride him in HiWithers cotton numnah's because he'll even try and use the saddle to scratch his withers. When riding he's generally happy and may stop to have a scratch now and again.
Washing doesn't alleviate the itch, so he is as itchy clean or dirty. The skin of his mid neck at the base of the mane is very pink in colour rather than his grey skin, and at the moment, it looks very very pink and sensitive. Previously he'd have sores in his mane, whereas this year although rubbing his mane away there are no actual sores there. I previously wondered if it was sunburn on his neck so tried Filtabac cream that didn't make a difference.

I have tried all the below and there is no difference -

All sweetitch creams incl. KillItch
Tried all washes from Dermoline and anti-itch shampoos to Hibiscrub & Neem Oil
Tried washing him every week
Tried sudocream - helps heal sores but doesn't stop itching
Given him substantial Antihistamines for 2 months
Fed him D&H ItchFree

I'll take any suggestions. Thanks in advance.

He is out in the day on grass in Scotland, and is stabled at night in a roomy stable in an undercover barn with other stabled horses. (He has previously been out at night and in during the day and made no difference to the itching). His bed is shavings. In summer he goes out in fly mask and sweetitch or full fly rug. He is fed loose hay which he wets himself, dunking it in the water bucket as he eats. He eats Thunderbrook Healthy Herb chaff twice a day. In Winter he has Timothy Hay grass blocks as a treat and they haven't made him itch.

I love equinat preitch www.aromesse.co.uk this is a fantastic topical product just love it they now do a solid shampoo too. Then I have used naf stop itch or what ever its called feed supplement that has helped and I highly recommend looking at omega products they will probably do one or call the advice line I've been so impressed with everything I have had from them and my horses are all on vitality a daily supplement I feed grass nuts soak, grazon (a dried grass only) the vitality and when needed Keyflow pink Mash and lineseed meal some I add garlic but mainly summer. The old Connie I took on and one of my mares are itchy crazy I find feeding this way helps then In summer or flair ups the aromitch and aromapre itch are brilliant. I use to dilute some preinch in water when I wash them off after work but I've just had the shampoo delivered im going to try that.
Hope some of that might help its so distressing watching them so irritated. Think your idea of run I g bloods for allergies is a good move too. Best of luck keep us updated it would be useful to see what works and what you find xx