why does my new pony scratch so much

BSJAlove

BSJAlove

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our new pony is lovely in every way. but when we take his rug off, he scratches his chest and his tummy. ALL the time. i cant see anything wrong with his rug or skin. he isnt moulting. he is having a little bib clip at some point. will be interesting to see if this helps but im clueless as to why hes so itchy. nothings rubbed him either his rugs fit fine. i wonder if hes just pretty sensitive?
 
a lady on our yard had a new 4 year old cob who did nothing but rub all the time when unrugged.
She had thevet who said it might be lice, so the cob had a course of injections that helped.
But other said maybe sweetitch or just an allergic reaction to something.
Cob has just finished his cours eof injections and is alot better now.

Not sure whats causing your lads itch but thought i'd share the experience i know :)
 
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Same happened to mine when I got him last year - we gave him an injection for lice & blanket clipped him (as we thought he was too hot) - this did improve things but he still did it sometimes. This year he has hardly done it at all, just the occasional scratch that you would expect.
Good luck!
 
Don't worry!! Firstly have you checked for mites? They can pretty much be invisable is the burden is small, and can just look a little like dandruff. If he has no mites then I wouldn't worry. Mine attack their stable door and walls as soon as I take their rugs off, even just to pull back their hoods they can't wait for a good rub. Henry always rolls in the muddiest patch in the field whereas duke tries to find a clean spot lol! We also have an old boy of 32 on the yard, very wooly and rugged, he has broken down the barn doors over the last few weeks for scratching and he has ripped 4 rugs.

Honestly? I think it is the temperature change. one minute it is -12 then +12 - that is 24 degrees difference and when they have a big coat will make them itch. Has his management changed at all? was he out 24/7 and now in at night? Hay to haylage change etc.

It could also just be new environment. Try not to worry - you've been waiting so long for a project xxx
 
I would say it's quite possible he's getting a bit warm - if the pony you talk about is the little one with the full neck rug on in your picture?If he's not clipped then I wouldn't rug him at all to be honest. He will probably be getting warm round the front where the clips are - they may just be irritating the skin a little aswell and then again where the cross straps go under his tummy.

That would be my thoughts anyway. I have to be careful with my horse as even fully clipped he can get too hot in his full neck rug and will have a good neck scratch when i take it off.
 
i think i might be over rugging him then. i dont think he got any turn out in his previous home and lived in his stable rug. he has a thin winter coat but if pretty fluffy under his chesticles. i think im going to take off his big winter jammies and put on something lighter. im so used to having a thin skin giant, and now i have a tiny pony with rhino skin. we will deffo clip him anyway, but i will deffo be re-assessing my rugging.

i will double check for mites again tonight. i did check this morning but couldnt see anything obvious. thanks for the suggestions!! im not overly worried about it. hes very happy in every other way, and showing no signs of stress even though hes in a new home, hes taking everything in his stride!
 
My friends mare always scratches when I take her rug off, she does not like being rugged full stop you can tell, I just think she finds it very itchy, some horses are just like that. I don't have an 'itchy' horse so I am not sure what to advise...I do agree that I think they are often over rugged and that this can be the cause
 
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If you can get him hardy (and fury!) enough to go without he might stop altogether. I've seen completely clipped horses (with no mites, do check for those and heat) scratch like crazy as soon as unrugged because they have been missing out on the little 'every-so-often' scratches they'd normally do.
 
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