My horse has sweet itch and am dreading this summer!! Help!!?

Question

I have tried loads of herbs/ointments/rugs the list goes on and on! Its so distressing for me and my horse can anyone suggest some tried and tested methods that will help?!?!
Thanks :o)

Thanks everyone he has already destroyed 2 beott rugs and eats garlic all yr round....any other suggestions tho - am open to trying anything to help him x

Answer 1

Ask [e-mail] The greatest living horse woman in the world......................................... Its free.

Answer 2

Sweet itch is caused by a reaction to bug bites. Feed your horse garlic in his dinner as this then helps to keep the flies away. Also lots and lots of bug spray.Try to have your horse in a box at dusk as this is when the midges are the worst. Also try to use a field that is a bit more exposed, without trees as midges and other bugs hang round under trees and in windless places. If your horse is in an exposed field then the wind will keep the number of bugs to a minimum, and so reduce the number of bites and the reaction your horse has.

If the sweet itch is really severe you could speak to your vet about some antihistimines for your horse as these will control the reaction to the bug bites which is what causes the itchiness.

There is no cure all for sweet itch, instead the best approach is to try and manage the conditions your horse is in to reduce the number of bug bite he gets. Good luck controlling it this summer.

Answer 3

the snugglyhoods have done a sweet itch rug that is more hard wearing, also I have found that coopers fly repellant and others with deet in (sweet itch website www.sweet-itch.co.uk their spray gold)also pure gold also from sweet itch website is very good for round other areas but is more like a vaseline texture. also bathe the horse regularlyusing sensitive shampoo (every week) as clean horses are less likely to itch.
also Benzly benozoate and calamine lotion are good soothers available from chemist.

Answer 4

My friend had a black welsh mare who had chronic sweet itch, She used everything under the sun and nothing worked until her friend suggested using insecticidal shampoo on her and then putting on a mix of tea tree oil and baby oil onto her worst bits, she then got one of those Rambo sweet itch rugs and wrapped her up in it and last summer was her best yet. She had to start this procedure early in the winter/spring time to prevent it though. She also made her own fly repellent so she knew exactly what she was putting on her horse. It included Citronella, chamomile tea and a few other bits and bobs cant think of them off the top of my head! Good luck!

Answer 5

I had a pony that used get destroyed from scratching and the only lotion I found that ever really worked was from a chemist - its called benzyne benzoate - it STINKS - but it kept the flies away! Its a lotion you can buy directly over the counter and it was so effective i recommend you try it! Apply once a day - it smells that bad it will last 24 hours!
xx

Answer 6

i have exactly the same thing with my stallion, use a fly spray made by day carr & martin that contains DEET as an ingredient, it works very very well, if when bitten apply loads of green oils gel (get it from any tack /farm shop)this helps kill any bacteria and keeps midges and flies away from the "open" area

Answer 7

either a boett blanket or, if you look in the horsey mags, they are looking for people to try out a new drug. check horse and hound etc, scour the ads tho

Answer 8

Try benzol benzoate (hope I spelt that right?), it may be expensive where you are and should be sold at the saddlers.
good luck

Answer 9

You could try putting galic in its food this helps

Answer 10

TAKE A SPRAY BOTTLE PUT FLY SPRAY AND LISTERINE IN IT THAT SHOULD DO THE TRICK