Itchy-Scratchy

[trillium]

Do horses get anything besides lice that would make them all itchy?
When Teddie gets warm, she seems to have something that is bothering her on the underside of her body. Yesterday was particularly bad because the weather was so warm. She is not itchy in the morning or when it is cool, only when she is warmer.

She kicks up at her tummy, bites at it and will lay down and try to scratch it. She lays down, puts her front legs out and then rubs back and forth.

None of my other horses seem to be affected by this, only Teddie.
When I picked her up and brought her home, she had alot of little bite bumps on her neck and chest. I just figured she had been bit by some kind of flies and they would disappear. But now I wonder if it could of been something else. The skin on her neck and chest has been dry and flaky since then. Any ideas or suggestions? I think I will try to bathe her, what would be the best to use. I have Tea Tree shampoo. Is there anything else anybody would recommend?

I wormed her (and all the horses) with ivermectin yesterday. If she has lice, will that kill them, or should I dust her too.

I hate to see her so miserable. She enjoyed me currying off all her winter coat yesterday, but those round house kicks from her back legs up to her chest area, keep me from getting under there to really brush away.

[Buena]

Laurie,
Could be biting midges or no-see-ums. Some horses are more sensitive to different things than others.

creatures.ifas.ufl.edu/aquatic/biting_midges.htm
extension.missouri.edu/explore/agguides/pests/g07402.htm

[mymercedes]

I have a mare who does the exact same thing once the weather warms up and the grass starts to grow. She will break out in scabby welts all down her belly, and they are extremely itchy. Turns out she is super allergic to the bugs. The only thing, and believe me we have tried it all including cortisone injections, is to just COVER her in flyspray. I have to apply it daily to her belly until her hair is moist. That seems to do it. Sometimes I have to spray her a couple of times a day. This per my vets recommendation. It can be a bit of work, but it has saved her and made her much more comfortable.

[cat67]

Winterlakesfarm got this really great fly sheet with a belly band for Sarge, who has the same problem. It helped a lot. I'm sure she can post where she got it from.

[trillium]

SNOOOORT
I can just see Teddie with one of those on.

Liz, after reading the info on the little buggers, I will NOT be putting my bug zapper out. It will apparently attrack more bugs than it kills. I also have fish in all my horse troughs, so they are not hatching around me, if that is what it is that is "bugging" Teddie.

[huskiesnhorses]

Trillium,
Redmond has a super sensitivity to the gnats that are coming out now - and they do seem to love him more than Chewy (it's because he IS super sweet) - and that's why I bought him this for this season: $199.00 bucklies but - it will do the trick!

schwung.proboards67.com/index.cgi?board=genchat&action=display&thread=1188867765&page=1

[Nelliebelly]

Redmond-

Where did you get that! I love it. Reese where the full fly mask with full face and ears so his would fit nicely and really help out.

[huskiesnhorses]

Here's the website

www.elitehorseclothing.com/bellydickie.html

[winterlakesfarm]

The fly sheet I bought for Sarge is the "bug Buster" by Amigo......I paid $150 from Dover but I saw them at Reber Ranch for $115 today.

It has bug repellant impregnated into the fabric and lasts through 25 washes......it really worked for Sarge last year! He looked like he was in a "space suit" but it beat the heck out of the sores he was rubbing on his neck, belly and sheath.

[Nelliebelly]

Found that on Dover. Looks like I'll need it along with the Dickie!

Thanks so much!

[huskiesnhorses]

Hey all - in my surfing around - I just found this - a much cheaper alternative to the bellie dickie - doesn't cover as much - but may be just what you are looking for!

www.equestriancollections.com/itemdesc.asp?ic=CC00033R