Struggling to help my horses itch?

Maybe the colour of the TB attracts more flies? The QH also might have a thicker layer of fat under his skin.

What to do? That's a difficult question. Stand out there all day and swat flies?

Thourobred are typically thin skinned and more sensitive than mustangs. You really need to lay off those drugs let that horse out and see how it goes. She needs room to kick prance and rub.

You can try fly predators, putting the horses inside during the twilight hours when bugs are worst, fly mask with ears, and mounting scratching posts for them to use. The head of a stiff push broom can be mounted against a flat wall and they like to use these if they get itchy. It's better than them using buckets, the fence and other things that they can break or get tangled in. Be sure you are using an actual fly sheet and not a rug or sheet as you will overheat your horse in summer. Provide plenty of shade. The flies are more aggressive when the horse sweats so keep your horse cool with shade.

I've had luck with leg bands. These loose fitting velcro 1" strips can be coated in 100% deet and release a strong scent to the bugs while not dousing the skin directly with all that chemical. They get attached where you would put a bell boot around the pastern, loosely bot not so loosely they cause movement issues.

Additionally, vinegar added to drinking water and vinegar spray are good old school mosquito deterrents. 16oz vinegar for a 80gal trough. It is somewhat effective and when biting flies are worst you have to break out everything...

Be sure after you bathe that you use a coat conditioner spray all over and brush it in. Laser sheen, show sheen, eqyss are all good products for this.

PS My homade fly spray is for a gallon:

8oz Avon skin so soft oil (coat conditioner and repellant)

32 oz vinegar

concentrated emulsifiable fly spray (bronco is good)

3cc (1/2 teaspoon) each of oil of citronella and eucalyptus

3cc (1/2 teaspoon) dishsoap to aid emulsification of the oils

If you want to make it organic, omit the chemicals. Or if flies are bad, you can double the concentration. This spray smells really good and adds to coat shine/condition.

Sounds like you are doing everything right. Is the field large or small paddock. If its smal make sure to pick out the manure every day. For itchy buggy skin, I like to use 1 part viniger to 5 parts water and sponge it on her body belly and legs...making sure to get it down to the skin. Do not use it on the face or genitals. It has a natural astringent which will help get rid of the itch plus is a little bit of a repellant. PS. Do not rinse it off. use a sweat scraper. added bonus...makes coat really shiney!

Rugged? Isn't it summer in Australia now? I'm guessing you mean he wears a fly sheet?

I'm wondering if you are bathing him too often, and drying his skin out with that medicated shampoo. That could make him itchy.