What are these lumps!

[littlen]

My horse over the past few weeks has been coming in with afew lumps under his skin that scab over and I believe they are fly bites.

This week however they have gotten worse and there are now about 20 of them covering his body, mainly around his neck, inbetween his front legs and around his bum.
To describe them they are like pea sized swellings, some have scabs. No pus or bleeding. They are itchy as he is scratching alot. At the moment im treating them with aloe vera gel, sudocrem on the worst ones and i am covering him in fly spray but it dosent seem to be working.
What types of fly could be causing this and how can i prevent it getting worse?

 

[spaniel]

This may not be flies, I have a friend whose horse had similar lumps a few years ago. They went quite hard and had tiny scabs on top. The vet felt they may be some sort of fungal infection, possibly due to clipping or bedding, and suggested Malaseb baths. They did take a long time to go Im afraid so hopefully this isnt what you are dealing with.

 

[jennygorwill]

If it turns out to be a burrowing insect then I would definately give garlic ago. Ive always fed my horses with garlic during the fly season .
I start them on garlic the month before the flies are due and then stop them once the flies are gone.
.I noticed already this year she has been bothered less and here
in Canada we have really vicious sandflies and Mosquitoes
so if it turns out to be some burrowing insect it is definately
worth a try.
I either buy the granules for horses or
I use 2-3 cloves of a fresh garlic .
My horses love it .
Jenny

 

[Tnavas]

Rubbing neat vinegar on them may help the itching if they are bites - brillient for sandflies & mosquitos on humand too. I keep a plastic jar in my grooming kit stuffed full with cottonwool balls soaked in white vinegar. Great for emergency use.

 

[soloequestrian]

It might be worth trying Switch - it helps with any biting beasties so if your horse has managed to pick up lice or something it should get rid of them. Ask the vet - I think it's one of the few things you can buy without them having to see the horse.