In a recent newsletter I asked readers for their experiences of helping horses who suffer from sweet itch. I wanted to share with you a particularly in depth and positive response from reader Maggie Barrett:
"Last November I started caring for my friends horse (she had relocated to Australia) who has suffered terribly with sweet itch - his owner has battled with his condition for years, each summer I would see him when we went out hacking and he would be in a terrible condition- mane and tail rubbed red raw and a rather 'scabby' face/ ears. He is 21 years old and also got diagnosed with cushings so his coat wasn't in the best of condition. And to top it off he also was prone to sunburn have a pink nose!
He now has very minimal signs of any sweet itch, cushings or sunburn and wanted to share the simple steps of how a achieved this, with not much effort or money at all;
- Shires sweet itch rug with belly and poll protection - on daily especially at dusk and dawn.
- Barriers fly spray with avocado coat conditioners when he had 'naked days' when its was too hot for fly rug. Concentrating on head, mane tail and belly areas
- Fly mask with ears and nose protection
- Canter coat sheen twice a week all over head, body and tail
- Food, changed gradually to less sugary options chaff/ mix
- Garlic and small amount of oil in food all year round
- Baby oil & water- wipe face and tail (sun down only so prevent oil burning on skin)
- Sudocream on the nasty scabs
- Grooming at least twice a week to encourage the oils in his coat as he had quite dry itchy skin
I avoided de-itch cream as it was a very tacky and the next day wouldn't be pleasant on the skin. I also avoided bathing too often as this strips this natural oils in coat.
I hope this helps a few people who are struggling with the battle. I feel its about the little changes - prevention better than cure."
"Last November I started caring for my friends horse (she had relocated to Australia) who has suffered terribly with sweet itch - his owner has battled with his condition for years, each summer I would see him when we went out hacking and he would be in a terrible condition- mane and tail rubbed red raw and a rather 'scabby' face/ ears. He is 21 years old and also got diagnosed with cushings so his coat wasn't in the best of condition. And to top it off he also was prone to sunburn have a pink nose!
He now has very minimal signs of any sweet itch, cushings or sunburn and wanted to share the simple steps of how a achieved this, with not much effort or money at all;
- Shires sweet itch rug with belly and poll protection - on daily especially at dusk and dawn.
- Barriers fly spray with avocado coat conditioners when he had 'naked days' when its was too hot for fly rug. Concentrating on head, mane tail and belly areas
- Fly mask with ears and nose protection
- Canter coat sheen twice a week all over head, body and tail
- Food, changed gradually to less sugary options chaff/ mix
- Garlic and small amount of oil in food all year round
- Baby oil & water- wipe face and tail (sun down only so prevent oil burning on skin)
- Sudocream on the nasty scabs
- Grooming at least twice a week to encourage the oils in his coat as he had quite dry itchy skin
I avoided de-itch cream as it was a very tacky and the next day wouldn't be pleasant on the skin. I also avoided bathing too often as this strips this natural oils in coat.
I hope this helps a few people who are struggling with the battle. I feel its about the little changes - prevention better than cure."
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