| Bald spots, tails with mohawks, and assorted lumps | | | | constantly with chemical fly sprays. |
| and bumps... all of these symptoms can be signs of an | | | | Horse Itch Solution #4: Feed Supplements |
| itchy horse. Unfortunately, all the symptoms of horse | | | | Another solution for itchy horses reacting to fly and |
| itch are usually worse in the summer, when bugs, | | | | insect bites is to add supplements to his feed. |
| humidity, and heat all contribute to the problem. | | | | Substances like garlic and apple cider vinegar both |
| Does your horse itch? If so, then you know it is very | | | | work well. Equilite's Garlic Plus C works well for many |
| difficult to watch your horse rub himself on every post, | | | | horses, and most horses find it palatable. This |
| tree, and shrub. An itchy horse feels bad, and watching | | | | combination includes garlic and Vitamin C, plus chinese |
| an itchy horse in action can make you feel even | | | | herbs, astragalus, and schisandra with a touch of zinc. |
| worse. So what can you do as a responsible horse | | | | As a bonus, it also works well on other skin conditions |
| owner to help your itchy horse feel better? | | | | like fungus. You can also feed the above listed herbs |
| 5 Steps to Alleviate Horse Itch | | | | and vitamins separately, depending on your horse's |
| Horse itch can be one of the most difficult health | | | | willingness to eat new feed supplements. In fact, some |
| problems to cure, especially if symptoms are already | | | | horses get so accustomed to eating feed with |
| full-blown during the middle of the summer. The | | | | supplements, such as apple cider vinegar, that after a |
| situation gets even more complicated if you want to | | | | while they won't eat feed without it. |
| avoid constantly spraying your horse with chemical | | | | Horse Itch Solution #5: Build a Nutritional Foundation |
| sprays. Luckily, there are 5 steps you can take to | | | | For the most part, a horse has itchy skin because his |
| alleviate the symptoms right now, while at the same | | | | immune system is not strong enough to overcome |
| time supporting your horse's immune system so that | | | | environmental factors, such as insects or allergens. |
| symptoms will be much improved next summer. | | | | One way to support your horse's immune system right |
| Horse Itch Solution #1: Relieve Stress | | | | now, plus prepare his immune system for next |
| When a horse is itching madly, his system is totally | | | | summer, is to start him on a foundational nutritional |
| stressed, which means his immune system can't work | | | | program now. Good options include blue-green algae, |
| effectively. To restore his immune system to full | | | | probiotics, enzymes, and antioxidants like wheat |
| functioning, you need to first take care of his stress. | | | | sprouts and coenzyme Q10. |
| Herbal supplements that relax his whole system work | | | | One combination that works well is the mix of above |
| well. Two supplements that seem especially effective | | | | supplements combined with mangosteen juice, which is |
| are RelaxBlend from Equilite and Eleviv from XanGo. | | | | an excellent antioxidant. Feed a lower maintenance |
| Both of these supplements keep inflammation at a | | | | dose this summer and through the winter. Just before |
| minimum, plus they keep your horse mentally cool and | | | | next summer, increase the dose to combat the heat, |
| calm. Other calming herbs to consider adding to your | | | | humidity, insects, and allergens. For instance, you might |
| horse's daily regimen include hops and lobelia. | | | | mix 750 ml of mangosteen juice with one capsule |
| Horse Itch Solution #2: Topical Solutions | | | | each of the above supplements. Feed an ounce per |
| If you horse itches all over, topical solutions applied daily | | | | day of this mixture as a maintenance dose. Starting in |
| are a good bet for giving your horse immediate relief. | | | | the spring, increase the dosage to three ounces daily. |
| For instance, DRAW Formula is a multi-mineral liquid | | | | You may not see much difference this summer or this |
| that you can sponge all over your horse to relieve the | | | | winter, but next spring you will definitely see a major |
| itch. Simply dilute DRAW with water and apply daily. | | | | difference in your horse. He will itch much less, and |
| Spraying your horse with a mix of Avon Skin So Soft, | | | | have a much stronger immune system. |
| water, and apple cider vinegar also helps keep the flies | | | | Solving the Horse Itch Problem Takes Patience |
| away. If your horse has specific itchy spots, you can | | | | Watching an itchy horse in action is one of the worst |
| apply ichthammol or Hyper-Cal to individual areas. | | | | things a horse owner can bear. However, if you are |
| Horse Itch Solution #3: Fly Sheet and Leg Coverings | | | | diligent in supporting your horse's entire immune system |
| While this option seems obvious, many horse owners | | | | as well as alleviating symptoms in the short term, you |
| overlook this simple solution. Covering your horse with | | | | should see permanent results in six to nine months. As |
| a mesh fly sheet with a head/neck attachment will | | | | with everything in holistic horse care, progress is slow |
| help if your horse's itchiness is caused by fly or insect | | | | when compared with conventional medicine. However, |
| bites. Many vendors now also offer mesh leg | | | | solutions are also more permanent and lasting than |
| coverings, since flies tend to gather around your | | | | those offered by allopathic medicine. My advice? Stick |
| horse's legs. While covering him in this way may scare | | | | with a holistic program and be patient... you will see |
| off his pasture mates, your horse will feel much more | | | | positive results! |
| comfortable. In addition, you won't need to spray him | | | | |