Those with Sweet Itches: how are you coping?

MiJodsR2BlinkinTite

MiJodsR2BlinkinTite

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As title really.

My poor boy is just not enjoying the very hot weather we're having in the SW at the mo; yesterday evening the midges were awful here - and we're not as bad as some places.

Mare (who hasn't got SI but wears a fly rug to protect from horse-flies) was in a state because of it, and Big Man (SI) was terribly stressy plus very hot because his coat's thicker than the mare's and he was just lathered up and horrible, so I washed him down with cold water just to cool him down, poor lad.

Anyway, so I made the decision to bring both in; unfortunately to boiling hot stables because we're SW facing here and catch all the sun, but it was the only thing to do, to get them away from the midges.

This is just NOT great weather for anything with SI: very hot and balmy evenings with absolutely no air circulating anywhere. Sheer hell for my poor lad, poor old boy.

This morning I turned both out: there is shade in the field but no they were out in the bright sun! Big Man is in a Rambo hoody and has to have sun-cream on his nose coz its pink! - plus Killitch'd around his face as he doesn't wear a mask during the day.

So how is everyone else's Sweet Itchies? Anyone else struggling?
 
I'm not putting the rug on mine at the moment. Its too hot. mine have benzyl benzoate applied daily to manes and tails and also a thick yellow fly cream around their faces and shealths/bellies. They seem fine with this. They have a field shelter which they use and are in during the day anyway. One is rubbing a bit occassionally but the BB sorts it . I'd rather a tatty mane or tail then an over heated horse.
 
I have been leaving the rug off. Benzyl benzoate on mane and tail, tritec 14 fly spray on body and netex itch stop cream on face. This has been doing the trick so far! My stables are very hot, bought them in yesterday for saddler visit and they became sweaty very quickly, they weren't sweaty when out in the field.
 
Mine's in during the day WITH a sweetitch rug on from now on. I left her in today without the rug (as barn is VERY warm) but found mine covered in huge lumps all down her neck, chest and belly from bites. If the midges don't get her, the *$@£ horseflies do instead. It's a nightmare, I agree :(
 
My boy seems fine and not too stressed. He's out 24/7 with his Boett type rug and once a week I drench him with deosect which seems to keep most of the nasties at bay.
 
Got my Mosquito Magnet going 24/7 to catch the midges near the stables. The amount of midges has dropped considerably since April, so at least the horses get some respite when they are in. Currently bringing them in during the day and putting them out at night. Also using Nettex advanced fly repellant and the itch relief cream.

Gave up on all the anti-fly supplements as they don't seem to help one bit!
 
I am having my best year yet. Feeding brewers yeast and rubbing avon skin so soft into base of mane and top of tail. Mane no rubbing , tail just the tiniest bit. No rug
 
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