ASK THE EQUINIST: Sweet Itch Help?
In "Ask The Equinist", blog readers are invited to submit their questions, and I will do my best to provide a well-researched answer. Here is the latest reader query: Question: In all of your research, have you come across anything useful for sweet itch? My Welsh Cob has it and generally tries to rub all the hair off his belly. Last year we kept it managed really well by just spraying him with a good fly spray in the evening. This year, even though we are doing this he is already rubbing his belly. I bought a Boett blanket but it is just too heavy to keep on him -- any ideas? Jill A. in BC Answer: Hi Jill. Sweet itch is the common name for hypersensitivity to the bites of C ulicoides midges. Horses affected by this problem can do themselves serious harm by rubbing incessantly to try to rid themselves of the terrible itching caused by these tiny "no see ums". As you have discovered, the belly is the most common site of attack, though people may see their ho...