An itchy problem...?

My freisian has started itching recently, like he did last summer. And before you blame sweet itch, he doesn't have it, we've had it all checked out. It turns out he's allergic to everything (including a type of fly), and whenever he's in, he attacks his mane and tail, and we don't have a field shelter (and we are unable to) so at the moment he is suffering outside. I want him to be the happy pony I had in the winter, and the hansome pony to so does any have any advice, or equipment which works?


Please don't tell me to call the vet cos all they said was keep him out as much as we can, which he has been.











NOTE: I don't mind him being out in the summer, I just don't want him to be unhappy out.





THANKS!


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An itchy problem...?
Find a spot where he's started to rub and see if you can apply a bit of motor oil. Wait and see if there's a reaction and if not, simply paint the rest of his mane and tail with it. I've used this on sweet itch, sarcoptic mange, mites, you name it, I've used it on it. Sounds bizzare, but I've been known to paint an entire horse with it and cure it.





I learned this from a fellow that had a barn in Half Moon Bay back in '72 and since that time I've used it on horses when the vets have given up or the owners don't have time to paint the stuff every day that the vet gave them for their horses.
Reply:They make fly sheets that can cover a horse from his face to his butt. You can buy a face mask, neck cover and fly sheet. they are not all the expensive and might make him more comfy.





http://www.statelinetack.com/itemdy00.as...
Reply:aww poor fella. Just keep up whatever the vet says, Your vt and you know your pony best. Your doing all you can right now to keep him happy so keep it up!
Reply:Try a "boett" rug.
Reply:Use a Boett Blanket. Theyre fantastic! They were designed by a professor to aleviate the suffering in horses with Sweet-itch, but they are fantastic for a multitude of uses. They are better than any "copy" or "fly rug" on the market as the material they are made from has been specifically designed to keep away any flies, midgies or insects.My stallion wears one as he is very highly strung and gets annoyed by flies just landing on him! (He is very sensitive!) Apart from all the practical uses, as a bonus, they leave your horse looking like theyve been groomed for hours.Result eh? Take a look on the website www.sweet-itch.co.uk


Good luck
Reply:Sweet itch is an allergic reaction to fly bites.


If you are certain that this isn't sweet itch then I would still say to treat it in the same way as if it was.


Fly sheets, fly spray, Sudocrem ( as already suggested is excellent and stays on longer than anything else but clean the bites with Hibiscrub first to avoid sealing any bacteria in there too) You could try adding a little garlic to his feed and adding a vitamin B supplement ( I was recommended to try Marmite for that and so far it does seem to be working)





Edit: In case you don't know - Sudocrem is a baby nappy rash cream which has become standard in most tack room 1st aid kits in the UK.
Reply:i know you said not to, but allergy to flies does sound like sweet itch especially because it flares up in the summer:/ however if its not sweet itch then it should not persist throughout the whole summer. you should get him a boett rug, really these should be put on before it starts to get warm but if hes not too itch yet then you can put one on him otherwise he'll just rip it:





http://www.sweet-itch.co.uk/boett.html





also if he opens wounds then you should apply sudacrem and once healed some hair regrowth cream. Also to soothe the itch you can apply benzly benzoate it numbs the skin and can be bought from any chemist but oer use can irritate the skin. Also i give my sweet itch pony a carrot smothered in marmite everyday, this helps repel flies, vitamin d in the marmite gives off an odour like garlic does when consumed .





Also bathing your horse in a one part water and one part cider mixture will help to soothe and repel. Also i know what you mean about not wanting him to put him out to pasture as thats where most of the flies are, but he should be at pasture for a good part of the day. What you can do is stable him in the early morning and at dusk, this is when there are the most flies, but midday is fine to put him out in. If your pasture is near a pond, stream or river then you should not graze your horse here as these are places where most flies breed.