Hi there,
Those of you who have had the unfortunate experience of dealing with horse allergies in general and fly bite allergies more specifically ( just because I believe at the moment that that is what I am dealing with right now). Did your horse experience a more systemic reaction in addition to severe itchiness? More specifically, muscle stiffness?
Not that I’ve been able to tell, but the other day I did notice my gelding seeming to have just a little difficulty getting his head down to eat out of his feed bucket and later going down to graze. I thought that was odd, but by the next day he was normal again. He’s rubbing and scratching himself so vigorously on doorways and posts and the hitching rail that he destroyed in the process, that he’s had some swollen streaks where he’s doing the most rubbing. So I’m wondering if he just overdid it and made himself sore from body slamming and rubbing on the various structures.
I’ve never noticed it before and wasn’t even completely sure I wasn’t imagining it this time. One major tip was he did the little foot lift begging thing when I put his food in his pan, and kind of hesitated while slowly reaching down to eat. It was like he wanted it so badly but had to be careful. Usually he doesn’t do the foot lift and just dives in and pigs out. That same evening, he looked like he wanted to graze and kid of lowered his head almost all the way down, lips stretched out, teeth ready to munch, and had a very momentary pause before getting to the grass.
I would think any stomping and kicking of flies could add to stiffness in hocks, etc. too. Mine wears fly leggings so he doesn’t do too badly here. He DOES contort himself into a pretzel turning around to scratch his flanks, belly, sides, etc. though, and I could see him possibly tweaking something doing that come to think of it. He’s 17 now and not exactly the most fit or flexible dude to begin with, so it’s amazing he can pretzel himself enough to get his itchy spots.
Like @RhythmNCruise I think that most of my horse’s stiffness is from the constant stamping and rubbing. And the full on body slamming! He has a sticky stifle, and he is definitely a little off in that joint at the moment, but he simply cannot stop trying to kick itchiness away. He is cranky, and tired, and generally out of sorts.
But it sounds like you are seeing something more? Trying to diagnose beyond the overall body discomfort of the bugs would be a frustrating task…
I agree with the above–the allergy thing isn’t causing muscle symptoms in mine, but the stuff they’re doing in response to the allergy really can.
My little mare also got reeeeeeally angry on hydroxyzine, which meant she was stomping and kicking more at the bugs, which I think made her sore. Equioxx helped, but pulling the hydroxyzine and going back to zyrtec was really the answer.
Thanks for the replies. I am thinking about it all and trying to organize my thoughts on this so I make some sense. Will be back….
No muscle/body issues, but my TWH rubs raw spots- mostly on his neck & under his jaw.
This year the pests must be worse than usual as his elbows & front of hind cannons are involved too.
He gets 10 generic zyrtec twice a day.
Benadryl gel seemed to help, but I’ve seen most improvement using a hydrocortisone cream.
Sam’s Club sells a 4-pack of 3oz tubes for under $8
Yes on the cortisone cream. I am diligently applying it to every bite, rub mark, at least 3 times per day. And yes I think it it helping to break the itching cycle along with appropriate horse clothes. Zyrtec also
Yes, though we attributed that to a consequence of his asthma and that he wasn’t oxygenating his muscles well. Of course, his asthma is mast cell type and thus made worse by allergy flare, so I suppose it’s related. He had to live on Robaxin for a long time. Now he could use it occasionally, but he gets by fine without, and his allergies are controlled with Zyrtec and allergy shots.
I’ve had good luck with the IBH (insect bite hypersensitivity) salve. But it’s not available in your local drug store. The spray is good if you have a larger area you’re trying to treat and keep flies off.
My theory is that if you tone down the local reaction you’re less likely to have a systemic problem.
Link to buy at a normal price - https://www.heartlandvetsupply.com/p-4676-equishield-ibh.aspx?variantid=6662
I stand corrected on not being available in your local pharmacy or big box store but it’s a bit expensive. 
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‍:dizzy: That has GOT to be a typo on the Walmart link.
$48K for 1lb?
Sorry, pony, you’re gonna be itchy until that refi comes through
ETA:
found this from Big Dee:
~$145 for 1# from them
At $36 ,for the 4oz I might give it a try.
Actually $48 million.
The $36 price for 4 oz seems pretty universal elsewhere.
I’ve never even heard of this product. Huh. Seems like something I might try.
$48 million does seem a bit high though. I’m glad I can get it for less 
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