Itchy horse

[Tbird]

My oldster gets all itchy every summer; scratches neck and shoulder area on side of pasture shelter, trees, etc. It's not frantic scratching but enough to irritate his skin.
I'm thinking allergy so have vet coming to discuss antihistamine or something.
My husband (small animal vet) suggested it might be midges but I haven't seen any, it's not a midge-friendly environment (no pond, etc.) and midge irradication has been implimented.
Anyway, thoughts? before the horse doc comes?

[Crystal]

try cold water rinses with listerine.. that yucky yellow mouthwash.. Something in that calmed a skin condition a horse that I had..

[Tbird]

Thanks, Crystal, I'll try that. I assume you just pour on the Listerine, rub in in, and rinse off?
I have been hosing the horses every day due to the heat and that seems to help the itchy one.

[Crystal]

I just hosed, put like half a bottle in a bucket. I cut it with water I couldnt stand the smell. Then put somemore water in the bucket, sponged, and I let her cook for like 5-10 mins while hand grazing, then rinsed.

At Walmart they look at you like you have 4 heads when you have 6 of the large bottles, 3 giant containers of epsom salt, and about 15 bottles of rubbing alcohol in your cart.. and 2 of the 3lb bags of peppermints. Then they are REALLY confused when you tell them its all for my horses..

The trials we have to endur being horse owners!

[Diane]

Antihistamine granules work. My gelding likes to rub his face on anything and discovered the palm tree on the fenceline. He scratched the base of his ears till they were raw. We skinned the palm after figuring out what the culprit was but I thought it was mites. Vet couldn't find anything in his ears so suggested medicating him until they healed.

[majxmom]

I would worm with ivermectin. Some of these microscopic creatures in their coat will leave after a thorough worming, and it helps them shed out, which will also stop the scratching.