When I went up to the barn this morning I saw that Princess Fancy Pants had been rubbing her tail. Upon further investigation, I found some bug bites under the dock. I put some swat on them but is there anything I can put on there that is anti-itch?
I’ve had some success with the below.
http://www.equispa.com/product/not-so-sweet-itch-formula
I don’t think there really is a magic formula out there for those itchy tails due to no-see ums or nuissance insects :(.
A flysheet with a long tailflap also helps a fair bit.
You can buy cortisone cream from the pharmacy-- it tests under usef/FEI rules so don’t use it if you are competing.
There are several that I have used with some success, depending on what is causing the itch. Equiderma lotion is great for bug bites. Apply it every day to the bite area. Bye Bye Itch Lotion from Hilton herbs is good for large areas like the neck and butt cheeks/tail. It is not oily and does not attact dirt. I have some Stop Itch on my shelf in the barn, but have not tried it yet. It is supposed to be good for Sweet itch.
Thanks, I’ll see if I can track those down at my local tack or feed store!
Anything with Lidocaine as an ingredient. It is a topical anesthetic. I’ve used Solarcaine lotion in the past, but anything that’s easy to apply and not really greasy would work. Or a Lidocaine/Cortisone combo. (And I’m pretty sure that Lidocaine is also a prohibited substance, so if you are showing it would be a no go.)
I use Solarcaine on myself for bug bites and it works for almost 12 hours to keep the itch at bay.
I was going to suggest lidocaine too. I have packets of burn jel from where I used to work- I discovered by accident that it will stop the itch from the worse bug bites on me, so it should work on critters as well.
You can also buy squeeze bottles of viscous lidocaine (100 ml I think), but I think it’s prescription- not a problem if your vet can call in a script for you.
Hilton Herbs Bye Bye Itch. There is a lotion and a supplement. Lotion is great for manes and tails and anywhere itchy. You can use it on yourself and dogs, too!
My mare Bailey wouldn’t stop rubbing her coat and skin off her neck. I wrapped ice cold towels around her neck and it would stop for a couple minutes, then the rubbing would start again. With the vet’s permission, I gave her some Banamine. She had a fly sheet, a flymask, loose neck attachment. Her neck was so hot tom the touch. I rub cortisone anti-itch cream on her neck twice a day and spray Genesis for dogs with flea allergies twice a day. I bought a yard Nd a half of swimsuit Lycra and made her a simple neck piece that also covered her chest and shoulders. I cut two holes for her ears, and when I put her fly mask on, it stays all the way up. I did of the Equimax double dose, and I will double dose again this weekend. she has the amigo bug buster fly shield blanket, and it is not quite 2 weeks from the Lycra beclouded Nd the cortisone Nd genesis and equimax, but she sins much better! Neck is recovering quickly, no rubbing, no heat. So much happier!
Not a cream but I have had luck with this on itchy skin and have used it on the tail as well. Nothing in there to promote growth and it will test. https://www.valleyvet.com/ct_detail.html?pgguid=213151ef-fd56-413c-8388-987b431bd3ad&sfb=1&itemguid=a7ce9f15-a059-49de-84de-c977e7c9a058&utm_content=42813&ccd=IFH003&CAWELAID=120295250000090389&CATARGETID=120295250000474351&cadevice=m&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIgOjf8ZOO3gIVmONkCh1CRQzCEAQYASABEgLXqPD_BwE
I have had a sweet itch horse and now have an itchy dog: the best and most consistent performer has been zinc oxide. Look for Desitin with 30% zinc or better, don’t settle for anything less.
Lidocaine: check out Apercreme, I think it has 4% (max) and is cheaper than others
My guy with sweet itch finds good relief with Uckele’s Leave It Be salve on the worst of his itches. (A bit pricey, but a little goes a long way.)
Also likes 100% pure zinc oxcide/Destin,. I think it helps as an insect/gnat barrier too.
Witchhazel brings quick relief and helps reduce the swelling of large welts/hives IME. Very soothing if you keep a bottle in the barn fridge.
Aloe vera gel helps too.
Except the first, all are easy to find and cheap at any local pharmacy or big box store. I keep them all on hand and use as needed based on the situation.
This pony has gone from one that had a sparce rat tail in the summer to one that I had to trim several times this summer and again this week so he would not step on it. As mentioned above, I’m sure the sheet with good tail flap also helped, although he really didn’t rub this season.
My new miracle cure for ticks, flies, bot flies, and anything itchy is neem oil. It’s great for wounds and healing. You can get it at Home Depot.
Apple Cider Vinegar
If you actually see bites, then it make sense to start with topical cortisone, maybe mixed with some topical antibiotics.
In one case, I found that when my horse was chronically rubbing her tail, rubbing some ivermectin paste (regular de-wormer) into the area around the anus a couple of days in a row stopped the scratching.
I bought some Neem Oil awhile ago but haven’t used it yet. Was going to add to fly spray. Is that what you are doing, or applying full strength?
Spray Benedryl or listerine for the bug bites. Witch Hazel is great too. ST-37 is an old, reliable mild antiseptic. I have to ask my pharmacy to order it for me.
seconding vinegar! It wonderful on bug bites AND taking the sting out of sun burn
I ended up buying a gallon! (Super cheap–$50 delivered!) I use it as fly, tick, and bot fly spray with about a tablespoon in a sprayer. (I also add a squirt straight cedar, citronella, and lavendar oil.)
For wounds, scars, itchy spots, I use straight neem. This is the first year I haven’t had massive itching issues from little flies along the midline and mysterious bald spots all over the body.
Best anti-itch, instant relief product for all bites or stings or itchies- Lanacaine First Aid Spray- for humans. available
at drug store or supermarket. I keep 2 cans of this on hand.
