He has Sweet Itch :(

[Alice25]

Wasn't sure where to post this, so hopefully this is the right place.

Anyway, feeling pretty down right now because it looks like my darling cob Alfie has developed sweet itch :( I noticed the top of his tail wasn't looking too good a few days ago, but I didn't want to jump to any conclusions. Today it was looking far far worse - the hairs are all rubbed short and there are bald patches on it. So I checked him over for lice, etc, and earlier today got my experienced neighbour to come and check him out. And he said that yes, it looks like sweet itch.

I feel terrible now :( When we bought Alfie he didn't suffer from this, yet it's come up just a few months after we've brought him home. I feel really guilty that I didn't make more effort to protect him from the flies, and now he has to suffer because of it :(

We went out to the equine shop to get a fly rug and treatment cream, but they didn't have any rugs his size so we've ordered it. Meanwhile, I'm going to apply the cream twice a day, and stable him around sunset when the midges are worse. Obviously when his rug comes he'll wear that as well. Is there anything else I can do to make him more comfortable?? One of my friend's horses has sweet itch, but apart from that I have had no experience with dealing with it. He's been itching all over, but there's only really noticeable damage on his tail (where it's REALLY noticeable). Any advice would be great, as I don't want to make things worse than I already have :( :(

[Megans mum]

Now you might think I have gone a bit silly but have you tried Marmite sandwiches' I am just trialing it at the moment' my girl loves them and I am waiting to see iff it works' it is supposed to get into the pores of the skin and the midges don't like it' worth a try anyway'

[hackedoff]

Attack it from all sides- Marmite sarnies certainly do help repel the midges as do vitamin B complex tabs and garlic. Keep Alfie out of the field sunrise and sunset and get some soothing cream on the affected areas. Turn him out in a good quality fly spray and fly rug if you use them. I am trying out a 2-stage treatment at the mo, its a daily medicine and a Spray from Science With Nature (I think, YO got it for me) as well as all the above.
My Shetland, like your Alfie only got Sweet Itch when she came to live with me (lots of standing water where we are so Midge heaven) and I know how you feel! Next year I guess we'll both start the treatments earlier and we'll have happy hairy horses again!
Let me know how you get on, it'd be great to swap notes.
Hackedoff

[eventerbabe]

Aww no, poor alfie. i'd be seriously tempted to get him a Boett. after i last emailed you i was speaking to the icelandics lady down the road from me and she says they are great, she highly recomends them. that and Camerosa ointment work on her ponies :) have you got a field shelter or anything?? keeping him in during the day and out of the worst of the flies will help aswell.

[benjixchorse]

My pony has sweet itch and we have found the best thing for stopping the itching is benzyl benzoate. Its horrible stuff and you can get it from 'human' chemists( just aask at the till) and its cheaper that way or if you really want you can buy it at horsey shops and its called kill itch but its very expensive. You can also use HIBI scrub which surgeons use to disenfct areas, but on horses you just apply undiluted and then rub gently with wet cloth until it foams up. You get that from horse shops too. good luck :D

[Kanuma]

i show my pny and he has sweet itch, ive tried everything to keep him with a full mane and tail, but the only thing that has worked has been the boette rug! ive tried all the other fly rugs, and most of the lotions and potions. we use a midge repelent cream on the parts that the boette doesnt cover.

[ponylover88]

...

[augermoon]

Yep, agree with Kanuma. You may find that a Boett is the only thing that will work - at least thats what I've found with my boy recently. After trying Benzyl benzoate, numerous cream and potions as well as a couple of cheaper fly rugs, I bit the bullet and bought a Boett. 4 weeks on, his mane and tail have totally grown back, his bald bits are no longer and he is totally itch-free and happy. It was very expensive but worth every single penny and the stress and worry of owning an unhappy sweet-itch horse have now gone and I am a happy owner once again :D .