Hands up if you have a horse that is driving you crazy with the dreaded itch?What causes Queensland itch and what can I do to manage It? The usual cause of Queensland Itch is a hypersensitivity to the bites of sand flies (midges) of the species Culicoides. While the bite of the midge is an irritation, some horses develop sensitivity to the bite and will rub themselves so much that they cause injury to their skin and destroy their rugs in the process. Keeping midges away – management strategies:
Repellents become the next level of defence.
Lastly, not all itching or rubbing in horses is caused by 'Queensland Itch'. Itching in horses can be caused by many things, including a variety of contact allergies and even a form of worm infestation. |
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Ken Morgan Wednesday, September 5, 2012 Shapley's MTG is a winner!!! I've tried many other products and met with varying degrees of temporary success.. My mare would go through rugs on a regular basis and scratch till she bled, and was not until I washed her with a medicated shampoo , conditioner, apply MTG and rug (Combo) that I can say she is now totally ITCH FREE with a long lustrous mane & tail.. Please try this, and save yourself a fortune searching for a fix |
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Leanne Anspach Friday, August 24, 2012 My second horse with the qld itch, over the years I've tried everything from stop itch sprays and creams, insect repellant rugs etc, I wanted to eliminate chemical based products as I found that they weren't helping and I expected they were irritating him also, 18mths ago I began using Fido's baking soda and oatmeal shampoo a chemical free and soap free cat and dog shampoo once a week and/or after every ride combined with thoroughbred fix cream on his face. He has just gone through his first summer without a rug on! |
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Anna Minogue Friday, July 27, 2012 Having just moved to Brisbane and not yet suffered through a summer, can anyone tell me what time of year the midgies start biting? I'd like to prevent rather than cure! Thanks |
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Barbara Gilbert Saturday, May 26, 2012 My QH gelding was rubbing his face non stop and had rubbed the hair off completely. Due to illness I had been unable to have his routine dental check. After the Vet filed his sharp points he has not rubbed since. Appaloosa gelding had itch some years ago and I tried everything from washes to rugs to medicines. Then I changed worm product to Genesis and I also started him on Saltbush from Eykamp at SpringRidge Rd Quirindi NSW. Used the Saltbush at minimal recommendation for probably 6 mths as I am cautious as to other side affects from products. He did seem to urinate frequently but he is now back to normal in that department and has not had any further problem. He would have been itch free for approx 4 years now. Thankfully so and may he continue on in his relaxed happy manner. It was so distressing to see him constantly rubbing and getting down to scratch his belly and onto trees scratching every way he could to find relief. A product I found useful for itchy's is Shapleys MTG. A USA product now available from a distributor here in good ol' OZ. |
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Amanda McMahon Sunday, March 25, 2012 I have a filly that has it on her face and ears. I tried everything and nothing really worked but someone told me to try Avon skin so soft that you use for people and her itch has nearly cleared up. I was amazed by the results. (-------- Yes we have heard amazing this about the same product- Jane, Caribu) |
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Mary Moore Tuesday, March 20, 2012 My retired Standie was fine til I moved to Grafton, I had him rugged at night as the days were hot. One night he wouldn't come up for his feed and to be rugged, cos I'm in a w/chair I couldn't get him. Next morning he was raw from mozzie bites, I got them cleaned up, but then they attacked him wherever he was sticking out of the rug combo! His skin has gone all hard and scaly looking, I'm open to any suggestions to what would help, bearing in mind it's hard for me to treat him all the time. He's rugged from his nose to tail, I have to mend his hood, especially the ears, about 3 times a week, grrrr, please help me, I hate seeing Rocket like this. |
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Patsy Wicks Friday, March 16, 2012 We have 4 horses and 3 are itchy besides keeping them covered all summer with the great Caribu Combos we wash weekly with Wool wash with added eucalyptus and have a mix of Listerine,baby oil and citronella equal parts mix in a spray bottle and apply to all exposed areas has been very successful.It's a terrible thing and takes regular management the other thing we do is electrify anything they could rub on. |
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Michelle Halliday, WA Tuesday, January 24, 2012 I rug my pony and have been using the Heritage Downs products on him. They work really well and his coat is looking healthier, he's also a much happier chap, Thank You! |
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Trev Cartington Thursday, November 24, 2011 I have found prevention works best - start rugging early in the season. |
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| Hi I recently bought the hybrid Mesh rug for my gelding. I would just like to say what a fantastic rug, we had a full week of high 30s to low 40's and my horses (my mare has a similar one) were the only ones to keep their rugs on, all the other horses on the property were stripped of their rugs as it was just too hot. The rug stayed cool enough to keep my gelding safe from the insects and the burning sun. Regards Nicole |
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