Buyers Guides :: Everything Horse
Looking for sweet itch products for treatment and protection to help your horse this spring and summer? Then this product feature is for you.
Consistency is the key to treating sweet-itch. Whether its a new rug, supplement, lotion or management routine, each horse owner should know it’s an all-in type of problem to resolve.
Protection – Sweet Itch Rug
First things first, get your horse a rug that’s been purposely designed for sweet itch. A sweet-itch rug will offer your horse all-round protection by covering up the head, neck, and belly. Typically, the rug should have a belly bar (added material held in place by velcro and surcingles), an extra long tail flap, a long neck cover designed to fit close to the horse with plenty of straps to secure, and a fly veil with ears(often sold separately).
Highlander Plus Sweet-itch Combo Rug
For all-over protection, the Shires Highlander Plus Sweet-itch rug covers all bases from your horse’s poll to hock. This highly breathable rug has a selection of features, making it ideal for horses that suffer from sweet-itch.
Features:
- Belly Bar
- High shoulder gussets for ease of movement
- Full neck secured with three velcro fasteners.
- Anti-rub lining to the neck, shoulders and breast
- Stretch-fit ear panel for added protection and to prevent the neck panel from sliding down
- Large tail flap
- Adjustable fillet string
The Shires Sweet-Itch Combo helps protects against UV Rays, providing 30+ UPF, blocking out over 90% of harmful UVA/UVB and helping to prevent bleaching of the horse’s coat. As the rug is a light colour, it should also help keep your horse cool during the warmer months. Suitable for turnout or in the stable.
Available in sizes 4’9 – 7’3
Where to buy:
Available at Naylors at £73.70 in a variety of sizes.
Protection: Shires Fine Mesh Fly Mask with Ears
A flexible and strong fly mask from Shires with nose extension for complete coverage. A prominent seller for 2019, the mask is breathable and allows for full vision. Protects against flies, bugs, insects and other unwanted flying pests. Fleece padding, ergonomically shaped and touch close with large velcro straps. Complete with air stream fabric ears.
Where to buy:
Available on Amazon (in blue) for under £20 in a variety of sizes.
Products to Treat and Heal
There’s a large variety of products available to horses and ponies that suffer from sweet-itch, and sometimes while others may work for some, they may not for others. However, we’ve found a combo of products that have had countless praise in terms of effectiveness for treatment and prevention, the
Botanica Anti-Itch Cream and Cleansing Wash
Botanica Anti-Itch treatment comes as a cleansing wash and soothing anti-itch cream, that when used together not only treats sweet itch but can prevent it too. Early application is recommended (mid-February) to build a barrier. The cleansing wash contains natural herbal ingredients to soothe the area, with antiseptic properties to clean the skin. The anti-itch cream, an essential part of the product application, helps soothe and moisturise the affected areas.
Where to buy:
Available from Amazon – Cleansing Wash £14 300ml and the Anti-Itch Cream £34.49 550ml.
TurmerItch from The Golden Paste Company
A fantastic supplement for maintaining a healthy skin and coat, that is absorbed into the bloodstream rather than applied topically. It combines key specialist ingredients including Neem, Red Bush Tea and Chamomile, to help provide relief from itching and soothe the skin. Suitable for horses and ponies prone to laminitis, the unique pellets can be added to daily feed or simply fed by hand. The active ingredients in TurmerItch support biting insect repulsion and help maintain reduced sensitivity which was demonstrated during trials with the supplement over a 12-month period. Not only was the supplement extremely beneficial to horses suffering with sweet itch as it reduced itching, it also improved hair regrowth and coat shine.
2kg tub is a 40 day supply fora 500kg horse.
Where to buy:
Available from The Golden Paste Company at £27.00 for 2kg
Other products you may like
Thomas Pettifer Sw’itch
Containing tea tree and rosemary oils, the Thomas Pettifer Sw’itch emulsion acts to soothe existing bites and works to prevent new bites with the addition of neem oil. Contains hydroxybenzoate.
Where to buy:
Available from VioVet at £8.10 for 500ml.
Killitch Sweet Itch lotion
The Killitch Sweet Itch lotion from Carr and Day and Martin contains a highly effective ingredient used to prevent and treat Sweet Itch; Benzyl Benzoate which has been blended with soothing botanicals. Fully licensed and scientifically proven, the lotion proves popular with horse owners who have used the products with 5-star reviews available. Deters Culicoides spp. the midges believed to be responsible for the condition. Advised to use early in spring as a preventative measure.
Where to buy:
Available from VioVet in 500ml or 1lt from £22.99.
Z-Itch for Horses
A ready-made pour-on solution for horses that suffer from Sweet-Itch. Specifically designed to target Culicoides. An easy-to-use formula to rub onto affected areas. Again it is recommended to start using at the beginning of the season, with the continued application once a week. The active ingredient, Permethrin. There are several warnings with this solution; full instructions and precautions should be read before use.
Where to buy:
Available from VioVet at £36.99.
