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[ Prices & Sizes ] [ Fitting ] [ Hoods ] [Horse Care ] [ Rug FAQs ] [ The Pagony ] [ Testimonials ] [ Rug Dealers/links ] [ Fantasy Rugs ]We are very proud to be the sole British Supplier of DeMeulenkamp Sweet Itch RugsClick HERE to order and pay for a rug online using your credit/debit card or your Paypal account
Sweet itch rugs have become a recognized treatment and are recommended by numerous vets. The protection works both against insect bites and the sun. Itching is soothed or eliminated completely. Horses calm down and show normal behaviour. The visual impression of a horse with this outfit might make your neighbour smile, the sweet itch sufferer will be quite happy with his or her new looks.
What does the DeMeulenkamp Rug do? True sweet itch rugs are designed to prevent midges from biting your horse, unlike ordinary fly sheets which allow midges in through gaps around the legs, tail and belly. Even some so-called "sweet itch rugs" are no more than glorified fly sheets as their material allows midges to bite straight through the rug!
The rug can be machine-washed at 40 degrees centigrade / 104 degrees Fahrenheit. You should wash at least every 2 weeks or so - your nose will tell you when. The rug must be worn 24 hours per day during the entire sweet itch season except when working the horse. If you do not keep to this strict dress code, the midges will find their victim easily and your horse will start itching again. It’s fine in the rain - the rug will dry out very quickly on the horse. When riding, apply fly repellent, concentrating on the midline (back and belly), legs, mane and tail area. Horses wearing the rug do not suffer in hot weather. Body motions are not hampered, bodily functions can be performed normally including rolling, suckling foals and even covering. Above approx. 30 degrees centigrade / 86 degrees Fahrenheit the horse may sweat lightly on his chest or neck, but no more than un-rugged horses. We have horses all over the world wearing these rugs, including Saudi Arabia, Dubai, California, Florida, Southern Spain, Greece and so on. The rugs are lightweight, breathable and comfortable, and horses are fine wearing them even when it's very warm. Horses with sweet itch generally understand quickly that the rug is doing them good and will allow it to be put on or off with little or no problems. It is inadvisable to put on a wet rug. For such cases a second, already dry, rug is recommended. But rugs dry very quickly. Obviously, the rug can’t cover your horse from top to tail. For the bits which aren’t covered, like sheaths on geldings, udders on mares etc, use fly repellent regularly. We find Nettex Stop-Itch, Beelzebug and Camrosa very good. Another thing worth trying is the baby product Sudacrem - it's cheap and effective, and available from Boots or most chemists. One of the best is Neem Salv-ation by PureNeem. For more advice on looking after the itchy horse or pony, click HERE With geldings, and certainly with stallions who are more prone to play and fight, the rug should last approx. 2 years; this period may be longer with mares. From time to time youŽll have some needlework to do. Your rug will come in a cloth bag - if necessary, use the bag for patching the rug. If the rug is torn, it will not "run", but it’s advisable to mend the hole as soon as possible. Rugs can be mended by hand or on a normal home sewing machine. Horses and barbed wire do NOT mix. Sweet itch horses and barbed wire are a terrible combination. Please, for your horse’s sake - do not use barbed wire. In the UK some insurance companies accept sweet itch
rugs as a treatment. You might try asking for some refund for your expenses!
A great economy rug and matching hood for less severe sufferers, or to use as a spare. Click HERE for details and to order. Prices, Sizes and Ordering Information Click HERE to order and pay for a rug online using your credit/debit card or your Paypal account The DeMeunlenkamp Itch-Off Rug is only available in the UK from Solva Sweet Itch Solutions Ltd , Tresais Farm, Solva, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire SA62 6XE |
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The DeMeulenkamp "Itch-Off" rug
Sweet itch is a horrible condition brought on by an
allergy to midge bites. Lotions, potions, feed supplements and other treatments may help,
but the only way to truly help your horse is to prevent him being bitten in the first
place. Sweet itch rugs work by preventing midges and flies biting your horse, and also by
protecting your horse from injury if he does decide to rub. They work best if you put them
on early in the season, before your horse has been bitten and starts rubbing. This varies
depending on local weather conditions but in the UK it can be anywhere between the middle
of March and the middle of May. In some areas, midges may be present nearly all year
round.
DeMeulenkamp rugs are
different. They are lightweight
and breathable, and very comfortable for your horse to wear, with darted
shoulders, shaped back and neck, and plenty of adjustment. The unique material
is a very fine yet strong weave to withstand horseplay and completely deter the
bites of midges. These rugs are meant to
be worn 24/7 whenever midges might be around, and you should not need to stable
your horse. They are showerproof, but if they get soaked in heavy rain they dry
quickly and can be left on the horse. 