Allergy/Reaction to Equimins Extra Strength Fly Repellent?

[HollyWoozle]

Has anyone used this fly spray and their horses have reacted to it? Yesterday I started a new bottle and sprayed around the sheaths and between front legs of our three ponies, but I didn’t use it on our two bigger horses. This morning those three ponies all have some swelling in the areas sprayed and seem tucked up and uncomfortable - the elderly pony is shivering slightly. The two horses I didn’t spray are normal.

I did think that one of them reacted a little oddly when I used it and now I feel awful. The ingredients are in different amounts in this newer bottle compared to the last one we used, with one element much stronger. I would advise a patch test if using this product.

 

[HollyWoozle]

As a side note it does say “avoid contact with genitalia and other sensitive areas” so I probably shouldn’t have sprayed between their back legs, but even so.

 

[HollyWoozle]

Am I mad? My friend now says she has never put fly spray near sheaths and I’m feeling awful. Obviously I don’t spray their actual bits but I have often put fly repellent of a sort around that area as that’s where they get bitten the most.

They are puffy around their chests too, where I also sprayed (midges seem to like their ‘armpits’) but it doesn’t show up as much.

Regardless I feel the product should be used with caution but maybe I have learned a lesson.

 

[Carrottom]

I use a repel gel which is formulated fir sensitive areas for between hind legs and around the sheath.

 

[santas_spotty_pony]

I always spray around that area but I have never used that brand so can’t comment on that but I’ve never had any issues - it’s one of the main areas the flies go to!

 

[poiuytrewq]

I’ve not used that but to make you feel better I specifically spray sheath areas and have never even read the instructions

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I've had real problems with fly sprays over the years Arabi reacts to so many and in quite a severe way he swells up then his hair falls out.

I only use barrier h and hedgewitch now but I've found I have to spray it very lightly if I soak him he can react to it, he does have such a fine coat which doesn't help and his so sensitive to so many things, although I can put the barrier h on his sheath and his always been ok.

I do often use pure coconut oil on bits that are not exposed to sunlight and that can help as its oily flies and insects don't like it.

 

[HollyWoozle]

Thanks all, comforted to know I’m not alone in putting fly repellent there! I was chatting to a horsey neighbour this evening and she said her horse reacted to Equimins fly gel (so same brand but the gel instead) and he swelled up too and his skin started sloughing off!

 

[Roxylola]

This year I bought a big pot of filtabac and I've been using that on sheaths etc, Bon is pink and fine skinned and the midges are dreadful for going for sheaths. It's worked really well.
I've always sprayed fly spray on there previously though and wouldn't have looked or expected a reaction like you've described

 

[HollyWoozle]

Thanks @Roxylola, I feel better for knowing I’m not just a maddo! I use Battles yellow fly cream on the others and have had other creams and sprays which work well too, I will just avoid this one in future but I think I will write to them. By last night the swelling was dissipating but I’ve attached a photo and you can see they just went puffy. The first ingredient list is the old bottle and second pic is new bottle with much higher concentrations of second ingredient!

 

[Nonjumper]

The second ingredient is DEET, one of the best known insect repellents on the market and in almost all repellent products whether for human or animal. That's actually still quiet a low % however it can cause skin irritation in some.

 

[HollyWoozle]

Oh! I am stupid

 

[poiuytrewq]

Oh! I am stupid

No you’re not. You bought a product and tried to help your horse out. You weren’t to know.

I once sprayed my whole horse without patch testing in spray that drove him insane.
It’s not your fault. We do it to try and help them.

It is best and I have now learned to patch test first but don’t beat your self up over it.