cattle tags for horse flies

MotherOfChickens

MotherOfChickens

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I have searched and read some older threads. I am always wary of cattle strength fly products having witnessed a horse take a very bad reaction to one. however, I have a black pony and we are having extended horse fly weather and there's a 2 mile stretch of road I have to ride on there and back which is especially dreadful for him.

he's not the easiest to fit a rug to so am reluctant to buy a ride on (and I am a bit skint-I like the look of the Gallop Hi Viz one except that it looks quite hot!). Anyone use the cattle tags? How likely is my (very pragmatic mixed practice vet) will sell me two for the ponies? TIA.

And I apologise to anyone I may have been dismissive to regarding cleggs-we usually only have them on the odd day here but what with the heatwave and a black pony I am beginning to understand why they drive you all to distraction!
 
MoC, try getting Tri Tec, it's been fab on my 2 girls! Ruddy pricey but I'm using it once a week on NF, and 2 or 3 times on new addition (as am having to wash her down so often after riding).
I don't use fly rugs etc, tho mine are fortunate that they can all tuck into a field shelter when they wish :)
 
ha, I remember the US fly sprays lol-I will try some thanks. He does wear a fly rug here-my place is very exposed and there's no shelter so they're in during the day (cool stables) and out at night-but we have twilight for hours and hours so they both wear rugs for the midges. Its riding that is mostly the problem-I was out late yesterday evening and they were still awful.

keep meaning to ask where you got your new addition from :D
 
I use “flectron” cattle ear tags. They are good, mine have it attached to his fly mark in the field and then saddle when riding. Unsure about your Vet selling you it though, we have dairy cows to had a box at home already.
 
MotherOfChickens said:
ha, I remember the US fly sprays lol-I will try some thanks. He does wear a fly rug here-my place is very exposed and there's no shelter so they're in during the day (cool stables) and out at night-but we have twilight for hours and hours so they both wear rugs for the midges. Its riding that is mostly the problem-I was out late yesterday evening and they were still awful.

keep meaning to ask where you got your new addition from :D
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A long way away, probably the furthest in the UK :D
 
Bayracer said:
I use “flectron” cattle ear tags. They are good, mine have it attached to his fly mark in the field and then saddle when riding. Unsure about your Vet selling you it though, we have dairy cows to had a box at home already.
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yeah, it would be off label for horses but then so is the mite jag :) I will try the tri-tec first, the US fly sprays are heavy duty-they have to be really.
 
I invested in tri tec last year, that coupled with sprigs of bracken stuck in his brow band and anywhere else I can stick it in his bridle, works a treat at keeping cleggies away, still land on me though the beasties...
 
Micky said:
I invested in tri tec last year, that coupled with sprigs of bracken stuck in his brow band and anywhere else I can stick it in his bridle, works a treat at keeping cleggies away, still land on me though the beasties...
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Sprigs of bracken stuck in the bridle?
Tell me more....
 
Cattle tags - and bracken - work on cleggs and any other scent hunter. But horseflies hunt by sight. They are only deterred by a pyrethrin strong enough to kill (and of course not technically deterred - but the outcome is the same..)

Usually they don't bother ridden horses as they move too quickly. But if there is a point in the ride you have to hold for a while such as a road crossing they can be an issue. Anything that bites is horrible this summer!
 
Read it years ago on some forum or suchlike, mmm old wives tale I thought, but I’ll give it a go, much to the amusement of fellow riders..unfirthpusntley it’s a case of grabbing a stalk or three whilst riding, and trying to stick in the brow band or wherever, again, much to the disgust of my horse, but it seems to work, flies buzz round him and myself when riding all the time, but they don’t when there’s bracken sticking out at odd angles ...he looks literally like he’s been dragged through a ush backwards..so if you don’t mind stares and comments..try it..lol...
 
OMG tri tec is amazing-midgy last night, both ponies (one is mildly SI) turned out at 7pm with no rugs. didnt see a tail swish so they were out all night naked-no sign of any rubbing this morning. will test out on horse flies tonight!
 
MotherOfChickens said:
OMG tri tec is amazing-midgy last night, both ponies (one is mildly SI) turned out at 7pm with no rugs. didnt see a tail swish so they were out all night naked-no sign of any rubbing this morning. will test out on horse flies tonight!
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Excellent update! I know it's ruddy expensive, but if it does the job AND they don't need rugs, then jobs a good'n :)
 
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