How do you keep flies and mosquitoes off your horse?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Halle Myers on June 14, 2010 at 10:40am

fly spray helps keep flys and mosquitoes off your horse.

Permalink Reply by Shirley on June 14, 2010 at 1:31pm

Fly predators help ALOT with many kinds of flies but not mosquitos. I've had good luck with Ultra-Shield bug spray and have mixed some natural solutions. I have found a natural bug spray that I'm more comfortable with then the chemical based. It is called CLAC and comes in a spray that is diluted 7/1 with water or a gel that is applied with a sponge and also a roll-on for face, ears etc. I ran into a gal that used to manage a local tack shop and she was buying the CLAC also so I thought that was a good sign since she would have allot of feed-back from many individuals. Mostly she liked it cause of her own experiences--when on trail rides her horses were having much less problems with bugs then others were having. It might need to be applied more often then some brands but I haven't had much luck with anything lasting over 8 hours no matter what chemicals are in it. I know a few people that use "Wipe" and have been more satisfied with it then with other products. At our stable with 15 horses there is at least 7 varieties of bug sprays being used. Some just buy the cheapest thing they can get their hands on.
I've also used Avon Skin so Soft with pretty good results. My horse did fine with that on a short term basis but generally I have to use water based products rather then oil based products. Some of the oil based products have caused hives so I do not buy any of them any more.
Anxious to hear what others have had good results with.

Permalink Reply by Shirley on June 14, 2010 at 11:20pm

I have also used a bug repellent product called "War Paint' that does seem to last a few days. It comes in a container that looks like a deodorant applicator. It goes on like a thick paste and you spread it as good as you can. When it all breaks down and fades away it is time to reapply.

I have added garlic to my horses grain but he didn't like it much and I couldn't see any improvement. I now have been told you need to use a cold processed garlic and it does smell much stronger but I haven't tried that. Anyone else tried garlic in the food?

Permalink Reply by Jackie Cochran on June 14, 2010 at 5:29pm

Riding I use an ear net and a fly whisk.
When I still had horses I used 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar every day in their water.

Permalink Reply by Cindy Jeffery on June 14, 2010 at 11:04pm

I use citronella and tea tree oil my own mixture, keeping in mind that you can't keep your horse totally free of these pests but we can lessen the damage. By using the above, also, predator bugs which feed on flys and mosquito larvae, fly sheets with hoods. Personally I don't get too terribly worked up about it, because our horses are kept as natural as possible, they know what plants to eat to ward off these pests and when to venture out of the shade.

Permalink Reply by Dorothy McDonall on June 15, 2010 at 7:53am

Lavender aromatherapy oil massaged into his face and ears (and between his hind legs now that the deer flies are biting). And a water based commercial product that seems to help. Bear loves his aromatherapy treatment ;-)

Permalink Reply by Hartley on June 15, 2010 at 4:20pm

I ride with an ear cover and store bought fly spray (citronella infused)...this not only helps keep bugs off, but it muffles loud noises!...Just make sure you use a cloth and get near the genitals and rub on legs. I leave a fly mask on him when I'm not riding. You can also buy fly sheets! They can work pretty well, but if you were to get one...invest in better one, or it will tear easier. You can also add apple cider vinager to the water which can help too.

Permalink Reply by Gracelynn on June 15, 2010 at 5:15pm

either fly spray, a fly wipe, or there are special aiontments you put on pressure points

Permalink Reply by Shirley on June 16, 2010 at 9:35am

Have you found any spray or wipes that seem to help?

Permalink Reply by Sarah at HorseJobs.ca on June 19, 2010 at 3:53pm

I now use FISKE'S Skin and Wound salve (www.fiskes.ca) the flies hate it and it's super gentle and naturally non toxic so safe to use around eyes, mucus membranes etc
I use the Salve because it can be rubbed on the face but the Hoof and Hide Balm is more like oil and works just as well.