The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Pets & Working Animals => Horses, ponies, donkeys & mules => Topic started by: Rosemary on August 03, 2009, 08:25:38 pm

Title: Stopping the itch
Post by: Rosemary on August 03, 2009, 08:25:38 pm

My horse has sweet itch and every summer he rubs himself - mane, tail and worst of all, his face. He's in a rug and that helps but even a fly mask doesn't stop him rubbing his face. He gets Brewer's yeast, garlic and NAF D Itch in his feed, but he still rubs. I've tried loads of potions and guess what - I've finally found one that works!

I was in the local feed merchants and got chatting with another customer and she recommended NETTEX Itch Stop salve. I bought a tub and three weeks on, his face is clear and almost all the hair has grown back. He's not wearing a fly mask now and I'm cutting down the D-itch in his feed. Honestly, I'll so pleased.

I've been rubbing it on his tail and the bit of his mane he rubs when he's in the stable and there better too.

Just wanted to share this as sweet itch is such a miserable thing. I'm not on commission, by the way! ;D 

Title: Re: Stopping the itch
Post by: doganjo on August 03, 2009, 08:28:16 pm

Gosh, such a simple answer, I'm so glad for Smokey!  Hope it's not too expensive although I'm sure you wouldn't quibble even if it was.

Title: Re: Stopping the itch
Post by: Jakebob on August 04, 2009, 04:21:28 pm

Im glad you have found something that works. I have heard that pig oil is also good for sweet itch, its something that (jakebobtoucheswood) I havnt had any experience with but I have heard that works you just paint it on manes and tails and the beasties dont like it!

Title: Re: Stopping the itch
Post by: ileach on August 05, 2009, 10:13:25 pm

I just had the vet out at my welsh pony who has sweet itch too, who has been driven demented by the flies here (we are surrounded by trees and water - not a good combination.) The vet said garlic is useless and i also gave mine the Naff D itch to no effect. The vet recommends Cooper plus as a fly spray and my horse is now on a trial of high doses of vitamins to stop the sweet itch which has apparently been getting good results (vet said he wasnt vitamin deficient but the high doses apparently do something - he did properly explain but my memory is hopeless this weather)  Will certainly try what you recommend Rosemary