The only downside to a gloriously warm summer can be the number of flies and midges that seem to be everywhere. 8 ways to keep flies away from horses are looked at in this article so you can choose the best method for you.
Flies and midges are irritating to horses, and normally worse in the summer months. They can bite and spread disease and cause horses to misbehave to get away from them. Thankfully there are solutions such as fly spray, rugs, and masks.
There are many methods to keep flies and midges away from your horse, this article looks at 8 of the best.
1/. Fly rugs and masks to keep flies away
There are all different makes and styles of rugs on the market for every type and build of horse and pony. If there is a chance of wet weather, waterproof fly rugs can be used that won’t overheat your horse but will protect him from the rain.
Masks or fly fringes are also useful parts of a horse’s wardrobe and are invaluable at keeping flies away from your horse’s eyes.
If you have a horse or pony with a pink nose/eyes or that is sensitive to UV light, masks, especially those with a full nose, will also help to protect your horse from sunburn in addition to keeping flies away.
If your horse has a particular problem with flies around their legs, then mesh fly boots can be purchased and your horse will feel far happier in his field.
2/. Fly spray/oil
If you go to any equestrian shop, or online equine store, you are likely to find many different brands of fly spray. Those that contain Neem can be particularly effective, but the smell can take a little getting used to.
Gels and oils are also sold, but if there is bright sunshine and heat it would be sensible to be careful that the oils don’t burn sensitive skin.
3/. Shelter/stabling
Having a shelter available for your horses during the warm weather means that they can choose to stay out in the sun, or cool off in the shade. It is usual that the shade will also provide relief from midges and flies.
If your horse is very sensitive to flies and midges, stabling during dusk and dawn will keep their exposure to a minimum.
4/. Leg bands
These are relatively new but have been receiving brilliant reviews, even if they are a little pricey. They apparently last for around a month and simply need to be fastened around your horses leg.
5/. Feed & Water
Including garlic and ginger in your horse’s feed can help to keep flies away as can adding a small amount of apple cider vinegar (ACV) to your horses water. Only add vinegar sparingly and check regularly that your horse is drinking before adding larger amounts of ACV.
6/. Herbs to deter flies
There are several herbs that can be planted around your horse’s paddocks and stables or added to their feed to keep flies at bay:
- Basil
- Bay leaves
- Lavender
- Peppermint
If you’re interested in feeding herbs to your horse to repel flies, or simply to improve their health, read Herbs for Horses on this site.
7/. Fly traps/Citronella lanterns
Hanging fly traps and citronella lanterns around the paddock edges and stable yards will help to reduce the overall number of flies, and therefore the number of flies that are about to worry your horse.
8/. Cleanliness
Keeping your yard and paddock clean and removing stale and stagnant water will reduce the habitat for flies around your yard and horses.
Conclusion
Flies are a great nuisance, but there are ways to reduce their numbers and to reduce the irritation they can cause to your horse. Rugs, boots, and masks can all protect your horse from flies, as can dietary additions, and commercial or home-made fly spray.
