The dreaded sweet itch

[PC Steele]

Just moved my 20 yr old horse to a new yard and he has developed sweet itch. Wondering if any experienced sweet itch horse owners could help me with managing it 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

 

[Kylara]

Not the end of the world. Main thing is rug and field - if there are boggy fields (or fields near standing water) try to use one as far away as possible. Also electric fencing - stops the rubbing that never stops. I recommend Boetts as they are amazing and you can ride in them. Been having Boetts for the last 18 years or so and have used barely any products save sudocrem and aloe on any bites gained whilst riding at competitions (pony now retired). The sweet itch society also offer injections or tablets that can be amazing. Boetts are well worth the money (much cheaper now than they were!) and last well if you have electric fencing. Retired pony is in his 24/7 from March til Oct/Nov in a field with electric fencing, one of which can get boggy in one area and he manages very well. Our rugs last 2-3 years.

The best thing is prevention. The next best is soothing and reducing the reaction - so sudocrem (benzybenzoate) and aloe on non sore bites to soothe. You can also stable dawn and dusk to avoid the worst of the culicoides, but doesn't always work.

Also I love their hats, best fly masks ever IMO! Use them on everything that needs them as they are comfy, cover everything, and are hard to get off