hi horsey owners out there, have any of you had horses with sweet itch if yes what products did you use and also have any of you used "switch"

Benzyl benzoate from the chemist - if the EU still permit them to sell it!  Worked every time for me years ago when I had some 'itchy' customers to deal with and cheaper than anything from the saddlers!  Am probably showing my age here and others will come along and say that it's been banned for ages but if you can get it, try it.

Many years ago - 30 odd or more the owner of the stables where I worked used to make a bran mash using water that she had boiled nettles in. Only trouble is I can't remember if it worked or not :D

A friend of my dads got me to rub sump oil in and it worked

Benzyl benzoate is still available from more 'traditional' pharmacies.  I tried several chemists in the city and all looked at me blankly.  OH's father was able to source it from a rural pharmacy near where they live (out in the sticks!) where there is big demand for it from farmers and people who keep horses.

Was sat here last night racking my brains for the name of it!! And that is it. Always worked wonders for us on the yard I worked on.:-D

And people who keep dogs too! ;)

I know that Avon Skin so soft spray is a good fly repellant! Benzyl Benzoate is what used to be used here too.

The best deterrent in my experience is a Boett or Solva rung put on the horse from February. Its maddening - but prevention is better than cure I think :(

Benzyl benzoate was the only product that helped my pony when I was a kid - That was over 15 years ago now though.  I used to let it run down along her neck and onto her withers and you could almost here her sigh with relief (bless her)  I believe it was used for scabies treatment in humans so quite embarassing to buy it in the volumes I bought it in!!!!!

Funny about benzyl benzoate having a soothing reaction as it is one of the known 26 allergens thet are tested for in humans !!!!

well we used benzyl benzoate for a few weeks but only seemed to just take the edge off, we have now got "SWITCH" from the vets £30 for 250ml bottle ouch, treat once a week with up to 40 ml . so far so good but has only been on for 4 days but seems ok.
b.benzoate is £4.50 PER 500ML  but had to be applied twice a day, so really over a 6 week period the SWITCH  is just as cost effective so is really worth a try. it also contains the strongest fly repellant available for horses at the strongest dose. if this doesnt work then short term steroids or antihistamine injections are the next step but can cause acute laminitis.
Fingers crossed that we now have treatment for the symptoms, i know that there is no cure yet but heres hoping sometimes soon!