Sweetich boffins,

The newest thing is a supplement called Cavalesse - its a concentrated B3 and available from the vet. A 3 plus month course is £90. The research suggests very good results, but I'm 2 days into the treatment so no personal experience as yet.

www.scottishhorse.co.uk/newproducts/newproducts/display.var.2491986.0.innovative_new_skincare_range_for_horses_and_ponies.php

Otherwise, Rambo/Sweet itch buster/boett rug. Remove from midgy fields, linseed, Dectomax injections, potions and pills....

The biggest trouble with Sweet itch that I see, is that each horse responds to the treatments differently, thus what works for one horse doesn't for another. Some things are pretty much guarenteed to have some effect like Dectomax and rugging, but the amount of response can vary.

My horse for instance, gets far worse in a Boett than in a Rambo or similar - no idea why but its as if the rug exacerbates it somehow and he attacks himself with his teeth and feet.

Good luck

Bx

thanks everyone, seems tommy my 2 year old could have it, ive just ordered him a snuggly hood set, did have a devoza rug but he trashed it, he in a rambo but i cant see it being much good, when he is out, my freind researched it last night se we have a plan,

Jill, have you tried Dectomax if your ivermectin worming is helping? Its a far more effective and longer lasting way of getting the ivermectin effect in their system.

Bx

I certainly noticed no difference when I wormed orally with ivermectin (on his sweet itch). But the dectomax injections have seriously had a great effect - basically saving his life (they are also a mite treatment) as he is such a severe case. The vaccine worked well the first two years, the third was a total rip-off! Dectomax improves the itching and takes away the hysteria he was feeling. He still has to be rugged and wear trousers and hoods.

I'm trying Cavalesse this year as well as linseed, and less grass! Its difficult to stick to one new thing, but I think I am seeing a certain improvement with dectomax/no grass/linseed (his coat is fab) and will be able to disern if the cavalesse is also working.

Dectomax has a really good effect on less severe SI cases, often meaning they stop itching - but you do have to do it every 6-8 weeks. My vets use it as standard treatment.

Bx

She's doing well spring - I'll take some pics in the next week or two. We thought Lily was a nicer name so that's who she is now - she's feeling pretty good, looks like she's in foal her tummy is so big and has hardly stopped eating. She is beginning to get a bit more of a front too.
Still not enough muscle on her back to expect her to wear a saddle but she long reins and lunges well, there have been a few lessons in leading, barging (how not to) and catching (she is good now, even if she does lay her ears right back!).

I don't think she is in foal spring - it's just a turrn of phrase to describe her big fat belly and lack of condition elsewhere - she has put plenty of weight on underneath and not round her front, shoulders or back to begin with, from in front you could see her huge belly sticking out beyond her shoulders! In fact I think she has been in season, she has been a bit grumpier than normal. She has done well for just 2 1/2 weeks though.