My gelding has me puzzled. This summer he has been incredibly itchy while grooming but presents no signs of dermatitis, sweet itch, etc. His coat is sleek, shiny and lovely, he’s not overly itchy in the pasture, but when I groom him to ride he is consumed with itches. He just about falls over when I curry his belly and between his front legs because he will buckle his knees and lean into the brush. He grunts, grooms the wall and stretches his head and neck in delight. Normally he’s crabby if you go anywhere near his sheath (sheath cleanings require extra sedation and he’s still trying to kick), but recently he’s been standing on 3 legs and pointing his nose into his sheath as if directing me to groom him there. When I groom around the groin area he will turn and groom me or the wall. Just super itchy for grooming in general, but yet his skin couldn’t look healthier. There’s no swelling, no hair loss, no scabs or crusty skin. I have him on hydroxyzine but it hasn’t made a difference with the itch.
I’ve made an appointment for a sheath cleaning since that seems to be the primary area that’s itching him. Is it possible to have fly irritation up inside where I can’t see? Any other ideas for a horse with healthy but itchy skin?
