Sweet itch - advice wanted

[jay]

I think Jay has developed sweet itch. He's been really itchy for the last few weeks (a lot more so than is usual for him). He's pulled out a lot of his mane and his tail now resembles a bog brush I've noticed that the skin under the bog brush is very flakey, but thankfully not raw looking.

Has anyone else's pony developed sweet itch at such a late stage? (Jay's 16 now). And what do you do to relieve the symptoms?

I currently use Deosect monthly for fly control anyway, but I don't think it has an effect on midges. I've put his fly rug on as well, but haven't been leaving it on for long periods because it can rub across his shoulders. However, I think I'll try leaving it on him, as hopefully it will make him a bit more comfortable.

[zeldalithgow]

Just a couple of thoughts, could he have developed an allergy to the Deosect, and do you feed garlic - garlic made Prince terribly itchy, now I've stopped feeding it he is not nearly such an itchy boy

[cadeby]

My Percheron mare Cadeby developed sweet-itch aged 13. She's now 20.
I use Avon Woodland Fresh Skin So Soft. It works reasonably well - she retains a short mane and doesn't rub her tail at all. She smells rather flowery though

None of the equine formulas ever worked for her and a very expensive supersized Boett rug only survived 3 days

[mickey]

Only way I found to control Mickey's was a boett- divoza do a cheaper version though His did last- he was good with rugs, over 6 years he's had 3/4 and one was 2nd hand- at least 2 could be patched and used again
Citronella based sprays used to make him worse, keeping him clean with regular grooming and baths also helped

[jay]

Thanks for the replies, much appreciated.

He's not on any garlic, but I'll definitely try skipping his next dose of deosect to see how he responds. Thanks Zelda

Helen - How frequently do you apply the skin so soft?

I looked at the price of the boetts and nearly had a heart attack! I'll look out for a 2nd hand one though to see how he gets on with it

[cadeby]

In England when she was working (horse-drawn weddings etc) it was important that she kept a good mane and tail, so I applied it twice a week in the midge season. I used to rub it in neat taking care to get it right into the base of her mane and dock. A little bit actually goes a long way, but it makes your fingers ache massaging it in!
Other people I know dilute it 50:50.

As with anything new - try a very small test patch first.
Cadeby never had any tolerance issues and enjoyed the pampering.

Only the Woodland Fresh worked - none of the other perfumes.

Hope you can find something to help Jay

[mickey]

divoza.com/shop/a.visit/4a7755a800641780273fc0a8c0640710/ChangeLanguage/en
Mickey ended up with these in the end- a slightly thinner material but a fraction of the cost

[valerie n scout]

oh god I feel for you, Scout suffers something awful...he can even rub holes in his bum, I use the avon stuff librally sprayed a couple of times a day, its a bl**dy awful thing to control, IF you ever have it under control.according to Vets once they develope it,it gets worse each subsequent(sp) year.
I hope for his sake its just a allergy x

[mickey]

The key with sweet itch I found was to tackle it before it really began each year- so he's have his boett on from february half term to november.

[jay]

Thanks for all the advice everyone, I really appreciate it I'll let you know how we get on

[harleydales]

Vanda started a thread ages ago about feeding Brewer's Yeast to help with sweet itch - did you ever do it Van?

[sweetpea]

P's had sweet itch for the last 4 summers. It hasn't really got worse over that time but I never seem to get on top of it inspite of spending hours and hours washing, spraying and padding anything that she may think of having a little rub on !!

Last year she wore a Boett but I think that rubbed out more mane than she did and she also got very hot and irritable and was rolling all the time so I've not used it this year.

This summer I've tried diet and fed her linseed and brewers yeast. I thought we'd cracked it and have some fab piccies of her on 31st July with full, thick mane but then sadly by the middle of August she'd rubbed huge chunks away and the remaining hair was frizzy and matted. Don't know what caused her to suddenly become so itchy although she also started coughing and had watery eyes at the same time so it could be something other than midges I suppose ?

I'm ashamed to admit it but I've hogged the lot off as I couldn't see how I could make it more comfortable or tidy. It's now easier to keep clean and I can get the salve right onto her neck for some itch relief - poor baby.

Will try again next year !

[jay]

I have to admit that I hogged Jay too. His mane looked terrible with big chunks missing, dry and fluffy. He's been so much more comfortable since, especially with using the skin so soft as well.

I've been very naughty and clipped his legs too though. I never thought i'd do it as I loved all his hair...but secretly I really like his new look!

[valerie n scout]

yes Scout suffers too and I hogged him, he is on Naff De Itch he is looking rather smart now but I guess the flies are dying off x best of luck its a nightmare x

[harleydales]

I hogged Harley for the same reason. I'd love him to have a long thick Dales mane but he does look magnificent hogged!

I always think IF we could get these itchy guys to grow good mane for a season or 2 they would maybe get too thick for the midgies to penetrate Harley used to scratch his tail badly but now it is thick he's not so bothered.