I have a horse with sweet itch and i am considering purchasing a boett rug do you think this is a good rug ?

My Section D sufferes bad with flys that give her lumps on her body some which swell and she rubs causing her pain, she also has sweet itch on her face, I am considering purchasing a boett rug but they are around 拢200 has any one got one if so what are your thoughts
Answers:
If she's that miserable and you think this could be the one thing that helps and you can afford it, then I'd get one. Also seems like false economy to get the blanket and not the hood, if you are covering her up, go the whole hog if you have the cash. You should post on here and let everyone know how well they do actually work if you buy one. I'd be interested to know really how effective they are.

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If your horse is itching its tail or mane you could try putting a stocking over its head and pulling on like a hood. This stops the mig flys getting through and can help. If its the tail you could leave in bandages but not tight and remove every other day and re do.

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My horse is very allergic to insects, and a less expensive alternative to a rug is an all natural bug repellent called NEEM. It worked wonders for my boy.

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hi,i have a coloured cob who suffers badly with sweet itch,i tried a rug but he just ripped it to shreds rubbing himself.ive tried all sorts of things,im now putting cider vinegar in his water and making my own fly repellent and it definately seems to be doing the trick,he dosnt seem to be getting bitten as much and his sore bits are healing,i also use sudocream.hope this helps,good luck.

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Try an antihistamine. Sounds like he may be allergic to the fly bites, esp if he is welting up. I use Benadryl, 3 pills for a 900 to 1200 lb horse. It's also called diphenhydramine. If you aren't comfortable with using a humane med, there's also an antihistamine offered through Jeffers called "Histall",
Here's a link,
http://www.jeffersequine.com/ssc/product...
I've never used it, so I don't know how well it works. I have used the benadryl, both the pills they eat, and the cream to rub on the bites and they work great. Don't give too much tho, as it will make your horse sleepy.
Good Luck!
C

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We bought a Boett blanket for our mare. It's not perfect, but its the best thing we've found so far and we've tried everything else including allergy shots. It is worthwhile to get the blanket and the hood. It take's a bit of figuring out to get it on and everything attached correctly. The only problems we've had with it are the areas that aren't covered on the legs, and the fabric tears easily and needs to be repaired. Get out your sewing machine or a needle and thread.
Our horse is definitely happier wearing her blanket than going without it.

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They are the best rug you can use if your horse has sweet itch, i know they are expensive but they are well worth the cost as i use one, and my horses does not suffer now. i have in the past use other fly rugs but did not find them as good.

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They are the best on the market and if your horse suffers that badly then it would be worth the investment, one thing I will say though is don't bother if your paddocks are fenced with barbed wire as the rug wont last 2 minutes and it is highly annoying when you find it hanging off your horse in tatters after you spend all that money on one!!
I use a horsewear one on my boy which is pretty good, but he doesnt suffer with sweet itch, it is just to stop the horse flies which eat him alive (he is a grey and ends up with pink spots all over him where they make him bleed!)

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I think Boett is the best on the market, I've been using them since they first came out and they've improved the fit so that they don't slide back any more. They are the lightest weight and don't overheat the horse, they're easy to get on and off and to wash and you can take the belly band off and ride your horse in it. I've tried all the other makes and gone back to Boett. Two things to note - if your horse is already bad with sweetitch, he may shred the rug before he stops itching, if you have barbed wire you have to fence it off but he may destroy it on anything. You need to get him not itchy when you put it on, either cover him in benzyle benzoate or keep him in for 3 -4 days beforehand, or keep him in an electric pen with NOTHING to scratch on for a few days after you put it on. After that he won't be itchy so it will be OK. Also I have to use the hood as well, my horse doesn't scratch her face but she pulls the neck part down her neck and exposes her mane, the hood stops this.
If you wash it every week the elastic goes before the rug. If you wash it infrequently, the rug rots before the elastic goes. They last about two years, 3 if you're lucky, and are very easy to repair. Horses Etc. send you lots of scraps to patch with and after sales service is excellent. Worth every penny, you'll wonder why you didn't get one years ago. And you save a fortune on fly repellents.

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Mine is the same, and I bought him a 'snuggly hood'
looks like a super hero in it, two parts one for his face and neck and the other fits over his body including his dock.
He is so much improved with it, it was about 拢175. and it also keeps him clean (except his legs!)
He still itches when we take it off for riding/grooming etc but it has reduced his itchiness no end, hope this helps!
Itchy pony=not very happy owner!

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Once u get the sweet itch cured u probally won't need the rug cause ur vet will put ur horse on medication. Unless u don't plan to use a vet.

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maybe controlling the flies would help
try adding garlic to feed
a good fly repellent is 'deosan by 'deosect'
it is expensive but last for ages as you mix it with water, with one horse it would probably last you two years! [vet supplies or feed merchant]
many people use citronella, a little goes a long way [pharmacy]
if your horse has lumps or bumps you might need an antihistamine 'piriton' is good and available from your local pharmacist, again you can add it to feed
however l would suggest you ask your vet what he/she advises
sweet itch is normally situated at the base of the mane and tail, [roots of the hair] your horse might have an allergy to something else

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Go care full with any rug, i have a horse that has suffered bad, igot the vet to do blood tests to see of any allergies she suffered, it came back with 18 different allergies she was allergic to. we started her on injections for these it as worked wonders. If your horse is insured it covers the cost for blood tests serum and needles .These you can give your horse very easy .Please ask your vet you will be so surprised . good luck

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Is your horse chestnut - they seem to be the worst sufferers? I dont know about rugs being of any particular use. My gelding had to be kept in during the early morning and early evenings when the pests are ate their worst. In fact I only put him out at late dusk. If horse lives anywhere near water or swamp - move him. Its a real nuisance their pests cause such a bad reaction

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To those who answered, "use a vet", sweet itch cannot be cured with treatment as it is an allergic reaction to midge saliva.
I haven't used a Boett rug, but I believe they are meant to be good, however, Rambo has just bought a sweet itch rug out, and, after using their regular fly sheets, I would suggest you try this one.
Also, Naf do a "D-Itch" supplement, and also feed garlic granules (I prefer granules to powder as powder gets everywhere!!), and look for thick creams to help soothe and protect the sore areas. Aloe Vera is good for this.
Please resist the urge to constantly wash your horse to remove the scabs, this will make him a lot worse as the shampoo will irritate the sore patches.
Above all, you should keep him in at dusk and dawn when the midges are at their worst, the best time to turn out is at night.