Sweet Itch Sheets Other Than Boett Style?

[Ceylon_Star]

My morganXhaflinger gets sweet itch starting around this time every year. I’ve ruled out NTWs after multiple attempts with the ivermectin protocol. The climate here is a temperate rainforest - ideal for the blasted noseeums to prosper.

He is usually in a Boett or knockoff from just before dusk to just after dawn, naked during the day when the bugs aren’t out and the sun makes it unbearably hot for him in his sheet. Unfortunately they never seem to fit him right. They always end up rubbing the crap out of his shoulders/chest and I always need to alter the neck to fit his gelded-way-too-late neck and stop choking him. He is super compact but THICK. I also end up having to replace the buckles on the leg straps and belly band all the freaking time because the plastic buckles like to break. A LOT. And replacing them makes the straps never adjust quite the same again afterwards which is also super frustrating. The fabric also rips super easily if he catches it on a rough spot on the wood of his stall or if his neighbors play a little too rough. I end up having to replace the bloody thing every season and it is getting really old.

Are there other sheets out there that could work for a sweet itch horse that would be more durable and maybe less restrictive in the shoulders? Maybe something like the Rambo hoody or Amigo aussie barrier? Bucas apparently makes a version of their zebra sheets specifically for sweet itch, but the last fly sheet i tried from them was weird and the belly band had zero adjustability and was so big I probably could have wrapped it all the way around him instead of clipping it to the appropriate rings, but it was so narrow in the chest that I couldn’t remotely close it. So I’m not too optimistic about Bucas.

[Xanthoria]

My guy goes in Rambo fly sheets with belly covers and a Shires sweet itch rug that’s too warm for v hot days. But he only gets an itchy belly so the neck etc cover is less important. Both brands have been really durable.

I have discovered this year that REPEL Plant-Based Lemon Eucalyptus Insect Repellent works better than anything on culicoides midges and a study I read said it was equal to or better than DEET on them.

A covered belly and lemon eucalyptus spray and things are looking great for us this year!

[fjordmom]

Sorry can’t remember the brand off the top of my head, but I’ll try to remember to check when I’m in the barn tonight and post an update.

I have a big/broad-chested Fjord, so have been through the fit issue too. He came with a zebra striped sheet. I wasn’t Bucas, but a European brand (that I will have to look up too). That one was pretty comfy in hot weather and had a detachable neck cover. It was somewhat loose fitting but actually did the job better than several other brands that also came with him.

I do find both the neck and belly cover important as these were 2 places that the gnats really liked to attack. I also keep his legs covered up to and above hocks and knees as best I can (actually stack 2 wraps when the biting is worst). if he gets bitten anywhere, he gets itchy everywhere and then the rubbing starts.

To break the itch cycle, my vet suggested benadryl as soon as he rubs. that really helps. I also found that keeping him on MSM and flax seemed to make his skin more resilient. Starting about now (we’re just coming out of freezing temps, I add spirulina too during the bug season. Helps quell the whole allergy reaction cycle.

Try to keep him where it is as dry as possible and breezy. The gnats that cause sweet itch don’t fly well in winds much over 5 MPH.

I’ve also had some decent luck with a natural fly spray that Uckele makes in conjunction with the cover-up clothing; has citronella, and some other strong scented herbs much like the one mentioned above.

Dealing with sweet itch is a PITA, but I’ve found being proactive and starting protection early helps reduce the cycle quite a bit. Don’t wait until he is itchy to cover and protect and do what ever else works in your environment.

ETA: The sheet is a Saxon (although mine is tan & brown), this one looks like the same one. So are the light weight fly boots that I stack to protect his hocks and gaskins. It’s pretty light weight, but lasted a good two years; has a few snags now and will be good enough as a backup for this season. (I bought 2 at the time since the price was good.) He’s pretty easy on clothing so YMMV.

The zebra sheet is a Waldhausen. Not sure you can get that in the US. It came with him. I had the pony’s owner look for one when she was in England a year ago, but no luck. Maybe Bucas bought out this company or the sheet, not sure.

Another option: have you tried the Schnieders adjust-a-fit sheets? I haven’t but some friends with hard to fit horses do like them. I think I got a sale flyer recently.