Conference noted::equitation

    If you subscribe to Equus, look in one of their indexes, I've seen
    a few articles on that subject.  If I remember, I'll try to look
    it up when I get home.  Have you spoken to your local vet about
    it to see what he/she suggests?
    - Julie -

    Thanks for the suggestions. 
    
    It would appear that the publication recommended is unobtainable
    over here (U.K.).  Subscriptions may be possible but it's been a
    year or so since I've seen these advertised over this side.
    
    I will speak to my own vet, but I suppose that I'm more concerned
    about the practical aspects of the mare's care.   The mare's own
    vet has so far recommended a course of cortisone injections and
    confinement to the stable during the day, turning out after dusk.
    For a mare that prefers to be out rather than confined this isn't
    going to be easy.  
    
    I suppose the questions I'm asking are 
     .	What is the most effective method of covering the mane and tail
        when out ?
     .	Is there any way that one can help relieve the itching ?
     .	Would hogging the mane help the healing process ?
     .	How effective are treatments like feeding quantities of garlic
        in order to build up a resistance to flies !?
      
    Thank you for the help
    
    Judy

My neighbor raises cattle. He told me that there is a new injection
available for cattle which is an extremely effective fly repellent.
The only drawback is that you cannot slaughter the cattle for 60
days after treatment. 

I wonder if this type of treatment would be available for your horse? 

    I don't know exactly what sweet itch is, but if it's anything like
    the mites (ear/tail,etc) we have here in Ohio...
    
    I use listerine (or some other coal tar based mouthwash) to treat
    the active bites. It also good for people type dandruff and when
    used with glycerine, makes a great leg sweat.  Fly spray doesn't
    seem to help much, but there are several ointments that are effective.
    I use SWAT, it bright pink and makes my palomino look like a punk
    rocker but it does help in strategis locations.  Sweet Oil (virgin
    olive oil) also works.
    
   

    If sweet itch causes hair loss on the top of the tail, you could
    try washing the area with Nolvasan shampoo or with an iodine-based
    shampoo.  Corona helps heal, as does pink ointment (which is usually
    recommended for belly areas affected by summer itch.) wash first,
    then apply the ointment.  Usually clears up in about a week.

    .4:
    
    Excuse me, but you're using VIRGIN olive oil on the skin? And
    not for yourself, but for your horse? I'm impressed... either
    you're rolling in dough, or really really like your horse...
    
    Dick
    

    Sweet Itch is essentially a dermatitis, and has been attributed to
    dirt and neglect. It can be an allergic reaction to ingesting of
    some pasture plant, if the animal is pastured most of the time.
    Wash with a good mercurial soap, apply an astringent ointment, or
    dressing, such as zinc and sulphur ointment,or salicylic acid oint-
    ment, or propamidine cream. The cortisone injection as a curative
    that your vet recommended is good, ask him about a histamine
    preparation by injection is nessessary. The animal should be taken
    off the pasture with lots of grass, fed with good hay,no corn, also
    brans or bran and linseed mashes is also good to feed the horse.
    I hope this may help, if you need more Info., look at "Veterinary
    Notes For Horse Owners" 16th Edition by M.Horace Hayes, it has help
    me in more ways than one. 
    
    
                                   Steve_who_Loves_his_Arabian_horse.