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You are in... Forums > Welcome To Your Horse Forum > The Yard > Sweet itch?

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jenhavocmanny

Joined:

Apr 12

Posts: 364

jenhavocmanny says:

Sweet itch?

Can sweet itch start as a horse gets older? I always thought it was a life long thing, but my 20yr old has symptoms of it that hes not had before.

 

He has had an itchy sheath in the summer for the last 3 years, caused by fly bites. A few days ago he started biting his fetlocks. I've started him on Global herbs Skratch and using their fly free shampoo. The fetlocks seem to have stopped itching now.

Yesterday I noticed he's started rubbing his tail. So I'm beginning to wonder if hes got sweet itch? Any suggestions?

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  • Posted 330 days ago (24 June 2012 12:52)
kevinhiatt

Joined:

Aug 10

Posts: 5167

kevinhiatt says:

Re: Sweet itch?

Its the weather and also as the horse gets older their imune system goes downhill, some people use fly sheets while horses out but Sabrina sweats up, then the fly masks which are not a great success as it gives the owner something to do in the evening playing find the fly mask. Benzyl Benzoate was the treatment for sweet itch, but we are having some success with Avon Skin So Soft (spray) as used by the British Army, and the Scots, also the fly sprays. All the horses I have ever had rubbed their tails to some extent, Tonka, Lara, and Sabrina.

Gypsy Gold does not chink & glitter.It gleams in the sun and neighs in the dark.Tonka & Lara my beautiful horses RIP, Nelson & Chloe the cats.

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  • Posted 330 days ago (24 June 2012 18:33)
greyandbay

Joined:

Mar 10

Posts: 2942

greyandbay says:

Re: Sweet itch?

If it's fetlocks I suppose it could be mites, Bracken will sit down and bite her back fetlocks if they start bothering her, and I know it's time to do something about it.

Tail - well that does sound like sweetitch but I've no idea if it can start in later years.

Captain the shettie came to us with a history of slight sweetitch, and this will be the first summer we've had him. The flies and midges haven't really been too bad so far this year, but I've been religiously putting Feedmarks bluebottle gel on the top of tail, along his mane and his forelock, and touch wood so far, I've never seen him scratching on anything. I cant' put a fly rug on him - well I could, but it would be on ground in shreds in about 5 minutes, lol!!

The outside of a horse is good for the inside of a man - Winston Churchill

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  • Posted 330 days ago (24 June 2012 19:49)
Micki

Joined:

Mar 09

Posts: 3481

Micki says:

Re: Sweet itch?

They can develop sweet itch at anytime in their lives. Have you tried Maleseb shampoo from your vet. Danser was rubbing her tail badly this year and i have been washing her tail with it and it has stopped her. It is quite expensive but worth it.

Also have a check for pinworm as that can make them start rubbing their tails, i got my vet to check Danser to make sure she hadn't got them.

. .A horse is a thing of such beauty. . .none will tire of looking at him as long as he displays himself in his splendor. ~Xenophon

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  • Posted 330 days ago (24 June 2012 20:22)
SarahR123

Joined:

Feb 10

Posts: 446

SarahR123 says:

Re: Sweet itch?

Itchy tail might also be pinworm... have a look and see if there is any sign of them in his poo or if there is a yellowy coloured area around his rectum or on the underside of his dock.  This can be a "goo" that the worms produce to lay their eggs in.  It has been a wet mild summer so far so there are more mozzies than usual causing problems to lots of horses

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  • Posted 329 days ago (25 June 2012 12:55)
jenhavocmanny

Joined:

Apr 12

Posts: 364

jenhavocmanny says:

Re: Sweet itch?

Did think about mites - we've been riding thru long grass recently, so am going to wash fetlocks with the flyfree shampoo afterwards, whenever we do that.

 

Have just  looked up about pinworm,  and my wormer should have that covered (Equest) but will keep an eye out.

It seems to not be getting any worse, so will keep washing and fly spraying. If it gets worse I'll talk to vet about the Maleseb.

The lowering immune system  makes sense, and I think I'll give the Avon skin so soft a go too.

As for fly rugs - I like to give him a break from rugs in the summer as he hates them, and judging by the amount of masks he shreds every year, a fly sheet wouldn't last long!

 

Thanks guys!

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  • Posted 327 days ago (27 June 2012 16:12)

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