Sweet Itch and ponies. Mary Elms.

SWEET ITCH

Sweet Itch´ is the name given to the seasonal skin condition,that affects many horses and ponies. This hypersensitive reaction is caused by the bite from the ´Culicoide´ Midge and although all equine´s get bitten by this pesky little insect,a few unfortunately suffer from the horrible reaction to the bite and it is a condition that last´s with
the effected animal for the rest of it´s life.

Conventional treatments involve the use and application of lotions and ointments containing benzoyl benzoate or
pyrethrins,which both helps ease the itch and also controls the midges. Symptoms of ´Sweet Itch´ are inflammed and
very sensitive areas,in particular along the mane,neck,tail,withers,face and ears.The affected animal will rub
itself consistently against any object until the upper layers of the skin epidermis becomes damaged and serum is exuded,so collecting on the skin as a yellowish crust/deposit. Eventually after continual rubbing the hair is weakened and falls out,leaving moist bare patches and the areas open to further irritation and infection.

It is (as mentioned above) a seasonal occurence,being most prevalent in the springtime and throughout the
summer but with milder,warmer weather,continues into the autumn and early winter. Affected animals,should be stabled during the most midge infested times of day,so from late afternoon through to mid morning,or as near too these periods as practically possible. Hang fly papers from the stable ceilings (out of horse´s way) to catch any fly,midge or other flying insect and treat the animal with a suitable anti-midge repellant and also a skin soother. Avoid feeding sugary feeds,as this oozes
out from beneath the skin and so attracts further insects to land and bite the horse.Add a suitable supplement to their daily feed such as Garlic powder or my favourite (NAF) D-Itch powder and I also use (Equus Health) Homoeopathic remedy ´Sweet Itch Aid´,just 1 tiny tablet,daily.

Purchase protective clothing such as a ´Rambo Sweet Itch Hoody´ and put on the horse everyday before turning out,I also add a meshed Fly Head & Ear Mask,for extra further protection and mine also wear´s a fly sheet also in her stable overnight. Some horses (like mine) do not tolerate many of the over-counter products available for equine´s with ´Sweet Itch´, so I use alternatively the following creams and has found this work´s wonders,much better than any product I´ve bought before.They are ´Organic´ Comfrey cream,Lavender cream,Marigold cream and (NAF) D-Itch ointment.

I also make up my own fly repellant spray,consisting of pure Garlic juice and a few drops of each of the following Essential oils:Eucalyptus,Lavender, TeaTree, Rose-Mary and Citronella,all mixed together in a spray bottle with spring water. It smells wonderful but is extremely effective and my horse doesn´t appear to mind it either.

Calamine lotion and other antihistamine creams have also been used and found to have been affective but it is all down to the individual animal,as to what suit´s them best. Apparently,some people have tried ´Frontline´ (for Cats & Dogs),sprayed onto a face cloth and gently applied around the face and delicate areas prone to midge attacks. I have heard that this has been affective on many ponies but I haven´t tried it myself as the stuff I use seems to work just as well and I try to use natural products wherever possible.

For the last two and a half years, I have managed to keep ´Sweet Itch´ in Chiffy,firmly under control by stabling
her overnight,the use of various anti-midge rugs and repellants and a change of diet plus the application of the above creams as and when required,and she still has a full mane and tail and no weepy areas like she used to have, over the majority of her life. Sweet Itch´ is a real headache for any horse owner and is a misery for the animal affected but hopefully, my
tips above,may prove useful for any other poor unfortunate equine.