Catch 22, damned if I do, damned if I don't.

[Enfys]

It's 31C at the moment, I can't leave my horses out because the flies are truly vicious and the horses just gallop themselves to a muck sweat, so, they come in.

My barn has doors at both ends with a decent breeze blowing through, but, despite fly spray, traps and God knows what else, one stall by the door gets a lot of flies, the usual black, buzzing, irritating, but not biting ones. Unfortunately they drive the horse in that stall bonkers, it isn't logistically possible, or wise, to move him.

So, my dilemma is, do I put a light sheet on him to help with the flies but causes him to sweat like mad (as he is now and he's been washed down once already today) or, do I let the flies annoy him and sweat him up anyway because he's stomping about?

 

[Capriole]

how about a plug in fly killer lamp thingy?

 

[ColouredFan]

Can you rig up a fan to help deter the flies? I put a lightwieght sweat rug on mine in the stable as he is VERY sensitive to the flies, he doesnt sweat up in it and he is a hot horse!

 

[Enfys]

Thanks. Yes, we have fans too, not the zapper thing though, that would be an idea. Next time I can get into the Farm store I'll look at them.

 

[harvgj19]

[ QUOTE ]
Thanks. Yes, we have fans too, not the zapper thing though, that would be an idea. Next time I can get into the Farm store I'll look at them.

[/ QUOTE ]

You can get them for about $20 at the hardware store or garden centre too.

 

[wattsy]

poor you - and I thought we were suffering, in an office with the air con not working...! a friend in Texas has those insect larvae things that you can buy and put in the bedding that eat flies. seemed to work quite well. I'd be inclined to go with the fly sheet - at least he'll keep still and hopefully chill out a bit. Of course, if you're not too busy, you could always keep misting him with chilled Evian water from the fridge.....
Try not to get too hot and bothered! Cheers from UK!