TIPS TO HELP A HORSE WITH SWEET ITCH | Equestrian

[@sandrajohnson8071]

I rescued a pony years ago that had itch and the worst pinkeye I've seen, I treated her eyes with turmeric and salt water mix ,cleared up in 2 days and works for people dogs etc and white vinegar and water mix ,soaked her 2 times a day, apparently it changes the pH of the skin ,and with in the week she had hair starting to grow back and of course rugged her ,so cheap and easy and satisfying to see her pain free and good old Apple cider vinegar with the mother in it ,in there feed and even the water ,also good for dogs that get itchy

[@EJMEQUESTRIAN]

Thank you, that’s really interesting, will give that a go in the spring. Glad your rescue pony imported and no longer itchy.

[@judymiller5154]

Have you ever considered treating for neck threadworms? My mare suffered for nearly 10 years before I learned about NWT and started treatment. She is finally itch-free and her mane, forelock, and tail are growing!

[@EJMEQUESTRIAN]

He had a biopsy taken from the lumps along his neck when I first got him and the vet said it wasn’t threadworms. So happy for your mare that she is now itch free, how brilliant.

[@judymiller5154]

@@EJMEQUESTRIAN My mare's biopsy years ago came back negative, but I hear that is common, sadly. The microfilaria are easily missed. The vet never mentioned NTW as he was taking multiple samples looking for anything. Just this summer, when a random stranger on a facebook comment suggested NTW and I learned of the double dose ivermectin every 2 weeks, it seemed worth a try - safe, cheap, no vet needed. Now that I know more the fact that she never had weepy sores is the only "clue" it might be NTW rather than sweet itch/summer sores, but the locations of her rubs were a bit atypical and changed somewhat year to year. I am still shocked that I've had horses for over 50 years and this one suffering for 10 and never heard of this condition! And SO happy my lovely mare is relieved ay last. God bless ❤🙏❤

[@EJMEQUESTRIAN]

@@judymiller5154 oh that’s really interesting, thank you, I will look into it again. So pleased for you and your mare.

[@Oldfarmlady]

@@judymiller5154 how long did you have to do the doses? Just twice ?

[@judymiller5154]

@@Oldfarmlady For thorough understanding, see the facebook group and the pinned article. I gave about 8 double doses through the summer and fall, every 2 weeks, then paused over winter. The adults live up tov10 years and do not cause itching, but hatch the microfilaria every spring. I started the DD again in March, but she had already started rubbing (and I hadn't noticed it)! This winter I am not taking a break. Each horse is different - some need year round for years, some only a few treatments. Good luck!

[@Quincy_V.T]

25 degrees is nothing compared to what we get in Australia

[@EJMEQUESTRIAN]

Not even close I imagine! Interestingly do you get bad midges even when it’s super hot? As normally if it hits 30’s over here the midges and horse flies aren’t so bad.

[@b1lasa]

Mine doesnt rub their tail. But got bump and scab under the hair around their buttocks and along the leg. Does it consider sweet itch?

[@EJMEQUESTRIAN]

If you never seen them rub their tail and they have no missing hair then no doesn’t sound like sweet itch. Maybe an insect bite of some sort?

[@b1lasa]

@@EJMEQUESTRIAN there is a lot of midget and biting midgets here. i suspect they get them from them. but now the scaby hair has getting better. i put combination of coconut oil and neem oil on the affected area. looks and feel so much better.

[@Quincy_V.T]

If you want to stop him playing with his lead rope try using a quick release tie

[@LETMino85]

This behavior is so typical for a horse with sweet itch 🙈😞 Just imagine being itchy constantly. Maddening. Hope he's better.

[@EJMEQUESTRIAN]

Sweet itch is absolutely horrid. He copes well. Thanks

[@inchristalone90600]

Poor Horse, would menthol work. Also if you can get it anywhere Neem tree leaves, boil it and wash him with it. Am not sure they have Neem tree in the UK tho but you can buy capsules and add water and use it as spray. Just a thought .

[@EJMEQUESTRIAN]

Interesting, never even heard of Neem trees. Will have a Google, thanks. Thankfully this year his sweet itch was a lot better.