|
|
 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1062
 
Location: Probably On the Road to the Next Barrel Race! | I have a gray mare who scratched out her mane and tail, despite lots of effort and remedies. This year I put her in a 5 acre lot, fenced off with electric wire, so she couldn't scratch on it. There is one tree ( we wired around it), but this morning I saw her rubbing away on a low hanging limb. We have managed to preserve her mane and tail but I know she is miserable! It's not flies, so fly sheet is out. My vet did potassium iodode IV's, which lowered her Ph, which worked for 2 weeks each time, but that is not a sustainable option. We tried a very strong antihistamine, to no avail. I guess it is mites, midges, or something to small to see? Spray does not help. I welcome your ideas! |
|
| |
|
 Midget Lover
   
Location: Kentucky | My mare is super itchy because of her sweat. Have you tried a shampoo on her? Maybe look into this: http://www.thatbluestuff.com/That-Blue-Stuff-24/ |
|
| |
|
 Expert
Posts: 2335
Location: IL | Mine had a mineral deficency. I had a horse hair analysis done, and now she's on a complete vitamin/mineral supplement. I also had a worm problem with her. It was a combination of things setting her off. She looks so much better now and no probems with itching. She was rubbing her hindend off everything and was really injuring herself. |
|
| |
|
Elite Veteran
Posts: 634
| You may have already tried this, but maybe an antibacterial, antifungal, or antimicrobial shampoo?
I have a light colored mare that gets itchy and the antifungal/ antimicrobial shampoo works for her. It's worth a shot!
Also, I have a friend that puts diaper rash cream on her horses face & nose because it's face sweats and he loses his hair in the summertime. Helps the hair grow back and keeps him comfortable during the heat of the summer.
Good luck and let us know!
|
|
| |
|
 Elite Veteran
Posts: 999
Location: Sunny So Cal | my gray mare itches all the time too! it drives me nuts! My friend has a gray gelding and he also itches all the time. I really think it is a gray thing. From my personal experience they seem to have more skin issues and are more sensitive. Again that is just my opinion from my own experience and my friends. I wish I had some advice to help but I am in your same boat. I will be watching this thread to see if something comes up that may help. |
|
| |
|
 A Barrel Of Monkeys
Posts: 12972
Location: Texas | She may be allergic to the soybean meal in her feed. Try something else, like alfalfa only and a mineral tub, or Renew Gold. |
|
| |
|
 Expert
Posts: 1612
Location: Cocoa, Florida | I wash my itchy mare with a Sulfur based soap I ordered on chickssaddlry.com I give her 5-6 benedryl pills every am in feed and I put MTG on her itchy spots every few days in the evening (they say it burns in sun)
I also started her on Bev's Allergy Relief 2x a day.
I roached her mane a few months ago and now its grown in thicker |
|
| |
|
 Elite Veteran
Posts: 639
Location: God's country...aka TEXAS | Oxysheen by oxygen. Put it in their feed daily. This is the only thing I have found that actually helps mine. And it's pretty cheap! |
|
| |
|
Elite Veteran
Posts: 1062
Location: Probably On the Road to the Next Barrel Race! | bump...keep the ideas coming...thank you!! It's not feed, she only starts rubbing in the summer each year. I've trid several shampoos and MTG...MTG burns her, and she is in sun most of day.
|
|
| |
|
 Expert
Posts: 1273
Location: South Dakota | I've got two that have been itching-both bays. I assumed it was lice but now I'm wondering. |
|
| |
|
Elite Veteran
Posts: 784
Location: USA | I have one too..... He has "summer itch" or "sweet itch". Starts in April through Oct. My colt had it last year as well. I just put MTG super on his itchy spots and then corona ointment on top of that. Seems to really help him. |
|
| |
|
 Expert
Posts: 1526
Location: Texas | Shot of depomedrol |
|
| |
|
Location: Not Where I Want to Be | mollibtexan - 2016-06-27 7:51 PM Shot of depomedrol
this is the correct answer
|
|
| |
|
 Expert
Posts: 2013
Location: Piedmont, OK | Have allergy testing done - it could be something they are consuming or insects or any number of other things. |
|
| |
|
  Whack and Roll
Posts: 6342
Location: NE Texas | It sounds like you're dealing with an over active immune system, which is creating the over sensitivity to every stimulus no different than other allergy symptoms. A Depo shot may be needed to get the itch under control quickly, but is a band aid fix to a long term problem IMO. Have to get the immune system functioning correctly and to stop over reacting. I use the Cur-OST products for this issue. I didn't have the skin irritation and itchiness you do, however I did have allergies, which led to a serious case of COPD in my horse. Same issue, different symptom.
Good luck, I know this is so frustrating and I too used steroids for years both on myself and my horses. It was a short term fix for us both, now neither of us take any type of allergy meds of need steroid injections despite the fact that in the past ten years i've gotten 2 a year every year combined with Claritin D. No longer need the meds or the injections thankfully! |
|
| |
|
 It Goes On
Posts: 2262
Location: Muskogee, OK | Ask your veterinarian to try a long acting steroid called "Voren". Dexamethasone 21-isonicotinate is the actual drug- gives many itchy, allergic horses about 20-30 days relief. Great stuff! I keep my insect bite hypersensitivity mare on it through the summer, give her 1 shot every 30 days. |
|
| |
|
 Warmblood with Wings
Posts: 27846
Location: Florida.. | Internally needs treated.. |
|
| |
|
Elite Veteran
Posts: 1062
Location: Probably On the Road to the Next Barrel Race! | barrelracingchick16 - 2016-06-28 11:11 AM
Ask your veterinarian to try a long acting steroid called "Voren". Dexamethasone 21-isonicotinate is the actual drug- gives many itchy, allergic horses about 20-30 days relief. Great stuff! I keep my insect bite hypersensitivity mare on it through the summer, give her 1 shot every 30 days.
THANK YOU!! I will call vet in morning!!!! |
|
| |
|
Elite Veteran
Posts: 1062
Location: Probably On the Road to the Next Barrel Race! | Herbie - 2016-06-28 11:06 AM
It sounds like you're dealing with an over active immune system, which is creating the over sensitivity to every stimulus no different than other allergy symptoms. A Depo shot may be needed to get the itch under control quickly, but is a band aid fix to a long term problem IMO. Have to get the immune system functioning correctly and to stop over reacting. I use the Cur-OST products for this issue. I didn't have the skin irritation and itchiness you do, however I did have allergies, which led to a serious case of COPD in my horse. Same issue, different symptom.Â
Good luck, I know this is so frustrating and I too used steroids for years both on myself and my horses. It was a short term fix for us both, now neither of us take any type of allergy meds of need steroid injections despite the fact that in the past ten years i've gotten 2 a year every year combined with Claritin D. No longer need the meds or the injections thankfully!Â
Thank you...I will check out Cur Ost. Yes, I tried depo last year, it was a very short term fix (about 5 days) How much does the Cur Ost run you per month, roughly? |
|
| |
Folks on-line