Sweetitch Product Trials

We have lots of requests from our readers about the best products to use for sweet itch. So we selected a number of products currently on the market, for our readers to trial. All the companies listed below have agreed to have their products tested.

MIDGE AWAY by Fly Away Ltd
Many horses suffer terribly from midge bites in the summer resulting in the intense itchiness and soreness known as Sweet Itch. Midge Away is a totally natural midge repellent, which can be applied to the mane, tail, belly and legs, where midges bite, to help ease the suffering. By applying it early in the season, resistance to midges can be built up offering longer lasting protection later on.
RRP: £10.99 FOR 400ml, £19.99 for 1 litre and £65.99 for 5 litres.
Contact 01785 714009 for more details or go to www.flyaway.ltd.uk

Denise Smith tested Midge Away for us.
Tried out on a New Forest cross gelding. The product was simple to use, it was also very thick. I used it with a fly sheet and applied it to areas that he was biting and scratching, like his legs. I found that it worked very well and he stopped scratching.

I will continue to use the product 9 out of 10.

ENHANCED FORMULA FLY REPELLENT from Barrier Animal Healthcare.
Repels all flying insects especially midge. It effectively protects against midge bite and the allergic reaction to midge bite known as Sweet Itch. This product can also be applied directly to raw and exposed areas to soothe and calm irritation and stop the need to rub. Its unique in that it contains a much higher than normal level of active ingredients blended together to give maximum protection.
Also available in Gel formula for more awkward areas such as sheath and head area. Gels attract sunlight so it is important to use sparingly on exposed and sun damaged areas
Available in 25L, 5L, 500ml trigger, 500ml refill, Roll on, 500cc gel and 250cc gel.

Jessica Pearce tested the Barrier Animal Health range, her comments follow,

It was used on a warmblood and was absolutley brilliant!It was very easy to use and the gel really made a difference to his mane it made it really soft and wasnt greasy at all. The spray was also brilliant it was lovely smelling really kept the flys away and was really easy to use.

I would definitly use it again and would give it 9/10

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WENDALS HERBS Stop Itch.
Many skin and irritation problems suffered by horses are related to insect infestation or dietary problems. It is well known that herbs like garlic can act as an insect repellant by excretion through the skin. This formulation includes herbs to assist in cleansing the blood and soothing irritations as well as maintaining a healthy skin and coat. Stop Itch is used through out the world where differing climates often cause irritations.
Contact 01553 828111 or e-mail info@wendals.com
www.wendals.com

Trudi Eustance tested Wendals Herbs
Badger is 13hh, fat, and always on a diet, strawberry roan New Forest x Dartmoor gelding. he is very handsome and he knows it. .The herbs were very easy to use, coming in a very strong re sealable tub with a measure. Badger also thought they were delicious. His coat is still in very good condition and his tail and mane are still looking ok. I would not rely entirely on herbs, I would use them with net rugs and lotions as well. It's best to attack .sweet itch from all directions. We also keep him in at the worst midgy times, it helps the diet too!

I will probably carry on using the herbs, we already feed some Wendals products, but will start sooner next year to build up his system before the midgies and biting flies start. I would give the Wendals sweetitch herbs 7 out of 10.

NAF D-Itch
Advanced nutritional technology for year round healthy skin
Skin irritation in the horse is, unfortunately, all too common. Often seen as a recurrent seasonal problem in spring and summer, incidences all year round are on the increase. Allergies are the cause of many problems. Most usually it is seen as an allergic reaction to the Cullicoides midge bite; although a range of other triggers have also been cited. The symptoms include an intensely irritating itchy skin, hairloss, and bleeding in severe cases. Management techniques, such as regularly applying fly sprays or gel, stabling during the worst periods and using fly sheets will all help. Veterinary approaches are limited to steroid injections which will help but are not encouraged for long term use, and are not safe to compete on. Increasingly, nutritional answers are being sort. Natural anti-oxidants act as free radical scavengers. Free radicals are small, damaging toxins found naturally within the system which vastly increase in number where any upset occurs. free radicals have the ability to damage any living cell and act as triggers for allergic reactions. D-Itch is rich in natural anti-oxidants, such as hawthorn and ginger, for use where oxidative damage from free radicals is seen. D-Itch is recommended if the animal has a history of skin irritations, and when the symptoms are seen.
Contact 0800 373 106. www.naf-uk.com

Janice Hall tested NAF D Itch for us.
Mollie is a Welsh part bred who suffers badly from sweetitch. The supplement was easy to use, although Mollie didn't appreciate the taste at first. I used the product in conjunction with a fly spray as I wasn't happy just using a supplement 7 out of 10

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EQUINE Health and Herbal.
SOOTHIT.
With added Lavender oil to enhance the soothing effect of Tea Tree Oil, but to offer the same benefits as Tea Tree Lotion. Presented in a liquid cream to offer a longer period of residual activity to maximise the benefits of Tea Tree.

Belinda Rouse tested Soothit on her Arab mare. The product has a very nice smell and was easy to apply with my hands. I used it quite early in the sweet itch season and although it worked at first she did start to rub as things progressed. I would give it 7 out of 10.

LENRYS Miracle Mist Antiseptic Spray.
Same powerful healing properties as pure TeaTree oil in an easy to apply spray-on formula. A great way to apply the antiseptic, anti-fungal and antibacterial qualities of the oil to cracked paw pads, hot spots, ear mites and itchy, dry skin.

Nicky Elliot tested Miracle Mist Antiseptic Spray on her 6yr old Trakehner mare.
The product is very easy to use and has a lovely smell. I noticed that areas where hair had been lost started to grow back and she no longer scratched. I have tried other products before and I used this one along side rug. I was very pleased with the results.
9/10