itchy pony

[alexander]

help please!!!! we have a very itchy pony, despite being out all the time, he's still rubbing on anything he can. Vet's advice was to leave him without any rugs, but he's still itchy, and has been like this for the past few months, we don't know what to do next! any help appreciated, thanks

[Trewsers]

Presume vet couldn't find any mites / lice then? Is he rubbing just one particular area? I think you can get products to soothe - ask in your tack shop. Could vet not recommend anything to you?

[alexander]

yes we have done countless washes and creams but nothing helps. rubbing at his rear end mostly, and also bites himself wherever he can reach. no mites or anything showing on him anywhere, we are all baffled as to the cause and of course how to help.

[virtuallyhorses]

Can you remember when it started? Was anything new introduced? - feed\rugs\washes\paddocks ....

Also check through his tail thoroughly - look for any crusty yellow bits - even if you can't find ticks or other biters look for the evidence that they're there. Some washes are quite harsh and will leave the skin dry and itchy - so look for a wash that is specifically designed for itchy skin. We have one here called Dermaleen (mainly sold for dogs but excellent for horses too) and also shampoos that contain Neem oil can be good.

[sheryl]

Could it be something that he's eating that could be irritating his skin?

Maybe try cutting out anything that may be remotely heating in his feed:confused:

I wonder if theres a herbal supplement that would calm the skin, sort of like an anti-histamine?

[becs]

Referring to a "pony that's out all the time", can we assume he has a thick coat? If so, could be lice IMHO.

Just because you can't see lice doesn't rule them out - I'd get a serious treatment for lice and try that next. Especially at this time of year after a relatively mild winter.

We've had success with Deosect (cypermethrin from vet counter) - many OTC "lice shampoos" etc don't seem to work for us.

[lor]

I have heard that garlic can make horses itchy. I know it is good for the skin and can repell insects. Maybe something to do with using too much? Worth considering. Also, there was a cob at an old yard i was at who rubbed and rubbed himself sore, no sweet itch or apparent allergies. They ended up just letting him live out. He didnt do it at all out, and had large trees etc to rub on, maybe it had been behavoural:confused:

[alexander]

thanks for all suggestions, have tried the all the washes mentioned and nothing works long term. not feeding him anything but hay so nothing in feed to make him like that. still trying out suggestions but thanks for any mentioned.