Am I the only person who doesn't use fly spray?

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Question in title!

Haven't used it for about three years now and can't say I've noticed much difference to be honest! It didn't seem to help at all when I did use it and since stopping, I don't think the flies have got any worse. The only thing I do use is a bit of fly gel around their eyes.

Anyone else? :)
 
Me neither. Never really started using it. I wash off with Dettol and live by the sea so we have less flies than most places anyway, and no midges.
 
Me too. Pie utterly loathes the feel of sprays - then on times when I have managed to get some on it seems to make no difference to the number if flies around him. I have noticed that he naturally seeks to attract less flies than most other horses though which is a bit strange - maybe he's just naturally smelly lol!
 
Owner of my share horse doesn't and I had the ride from hell yesterday because of flies. Horse was really upset and thought he was going to explode. I normally put a human gel stuff on his ears but forgot yesterday. Previous horse we used dectomax on and it works really well but I have some concerns as it appears pretty toxic. Am going to try Neem oil I think.
 
I don't either. I tried summer cream once on one horse who got an allergic reaction. Mine do have constant free choice barn access and a cool area under conifers though.

It's been hoovering around 80F here all week. I'm not complaining though as it's rained for almost the last year. :D
 
my boy is poop scared of it, so he doesn't get it unless hes being brave by my mare does and tonight I noticed a massive difference, he was covered in them and she only had a few! hes was getting really stressed coz of a horse fly and a wasp but she was all good!! so will defo keep trying to get him used to it!
 
TrasaM - I'm sure you wouldn't anyway but as fellow sharer I'd just like to say I wouldn't put anything on a horse without asking owner first.

They could have any number of good (or bad) reasons - and at the end of the day it is their horse.

Sorry to hijack OP!
 
A nasty horsefly bit me today. (I screamed, just a little bit :o) I was oddly freaked out, so I sprayed my arms with Beau's homemade fly spray (Avon SSS base, neem, eucalyptus, citronella, Dettol, tee tree) and once home, sat by the pond where I normally get bitten to bits. Nothing, nichts, nada! Not very scientific, but I'm convinced!
 
I gave up with fly spray years ago . now fly sheet and baby oil(always always put underneath fly sheet on evening when in for night. mmmm slight rubs but more slides but her face when i rubit in is pure joy :) love it :)
 
I don't, I use Coopers Spot on instead. It definitely works because tonight when I had my daughter out on the lead rein, her pony who had it applied three days ago had about two flies passing him at any one time, and my pony, who I'd only just reapplied it to tonight, was hoatching in flies and clegs (it takes a few days to cover the whole animal, and I have no idea how but it does!). On cattle I put it on their withers, but on the horses I put it on the top of their rump/tail head so I don't get it on me/tack etc.
 
I wouldnt want to be bothered by flies, cant see why horses should either, and they do lay eggs where they bite them, when i bring mine in the flies are swarming above their heads from the repellent but non are actually on their bodies. I use the naf citronella when the coopers runs out.
 
The Boyo hates fly spray with a passion - to the point that we have a loose school/trot session in his stable (big stable fortunately) if I so much as pick up the bottle - flies dont bother him usually but after a ride and wash down he becomes a fly magnet and does get irritated by them - I spray it on a dandy brush to apply and he does allow it x
 
TrasaM - I'm sure you wouldn't anyway but as fellow sharer I'd just like to say I wouldn't put anything on a horse without asking owner first.

They could have any number of good (or bad) reasons - and at the end of the day it is their horse.

Sorry to hijack OP!

No of course not.. We normally share my human grade stuff but i use it just on the ears. Owner's got no problem with using sprays but had mislaid hers so I bought some and we used that today. :)
 
I have just discovered 'phaser' fly repellent and its AMAZING!!!

£15 for a tub but my word doesnt it work!

We discovered this years ago, brilliant isn't it! Says it last 7 hours but I can still smell it after 24 and they have less flies on them than the other horses. After 24 hours I mean, the first few hours of putting it on that I have been around to witness the flies come nowhere near! Gives them relief from nasty horseflies.
Deosect and tri tec also work.
 
Another Power Phaser fan, only problem is the smell of it clings to you all day as well as the horse... not a good idea if you give them a quick spray on the way to the office!
 
Depends on the horse really. It makes a difference to my haffy who otherwise spends all day stamping, swishing, kicking herself and shaking her head looking thoroughly miserable! She wears a fly rug sometimes but mostly a home made spray, some gel under her teats and a fly mask is good enough for a calm relaxed pony dozing contentedly :-) doesn't make much difference to the little welshie though and she hates it, still gets an occasional spritz though.
 
I haven't used any for 2 years now because I haven't needed it. I think unless u put it on 3 or 4 times a day it does nothing but the last few years I have religiously poo picked my field of every single poo every single day and I am sure this has made a massive difference to the amount of flies.
 
I don't rate any/many of the ones available, and didn't use it til I discovered Tritec, which I use once a week on his stomach and legs (Don't want him stamping because of his suspensory problems/DJD). He wears a mask with ears, and I slather sudocream round his sheath where he gets bitten. He's relatively fly free, and happy.
 
I think it's a swizz ;)

No fly repellent will deter nasty horseflies as they are sight flies and not affected by any smelly potion you put on.

My mare finds them hard to tolerate so she wears a full cloaking device in summer.
 
I think it's a swizz ;)

No fly repellent will deter nasty horseflies as they are sight flies and not affected by any smelly potion you put on.

My mare finds them hard to tolerate so she wears a full cloaking device in summer.

Deosect definitely works Persephone. :) we didn't get a fly of any type near the horses last year when we used it.
 
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