One of my homebreds, Daisy, gets sweetitch. If you’ve ever had a pony or horse with it, you’ll know what a misery it can be for them, and how grim the ensuing scrubbed-bald tail and mane are.
I now have a two-pronged attack. Firstly, Daisy lives in a Rambo Sweetitch Hoody from Spring till Autumn. If it’s cold she has a turnout rug over the top. I tried a cheaper fly rug, made of a nice shiny silver mesh fabric, and she trashed it in 3 weeks. I didn’t want to splash out on a Boett (although I hear they are amazing) so the Hoodie was the next venture. It is great, and is now entering its 3rd or 4th year. Worth every penny.
Secondly, Carr and Day and Martin’s Killitch. I believe they are so confident of this stuff’s efficacy that they offer a money-back guarantee. Anyway, it’s absolutely magic. I smear her mane and tail with it every couple of weeks, and after every event (her mane and tail are washed pre-event, as I don’t like the shiny/greasy look it gives if we’re going out in public, but it’s fine for at home!) and I smear it along her tummy stripe and at the tops of her back legs (other places she gets bitten a lot) a few times a week. That’s it. One happy, non-scratchy horse, with a lovely full mane and tail, and the midges don’t get a look-in. Result!