Flies & Garlic????

[Albertina]

With the joys of summer fast approching us then so does the lovely fly population. My boy is the biggest wimp when it comes to the little critters.

So my question is does feeding garlic really work in keeping them away? or is it one of those urban myths

 

[fathorse]

It definately helps with mine with the flies. Also when they sweat it brings out the odour. I feed garlic all year round as it also aids the airways.

 

[eoe]

Yes and I have found that the granules seem to work better than the powder, don't ask me why but since I have been on granules, my horses don't seem to have any eggs on them and don't seem to have so many around them in the fields.

 

[Albertina]

Thanks for your replies, I will get some and give it a try.

Knowing my luck he won't blooming eat his feed he won't touch his feed if there is any bute etc in it

 

[Nosey]

Don't know for sure but my nag doesn't seem to have as many fly eggs on her as the other horse who isn't fed it. Also as its so cheap and has so many other health benefits have always fed it. Never had coughs either!

 

[Scarlett1980]

I think it was someone on here that said Marmite was good for keep ing flies away? I'm guessing it works in the same way, stinks when they sweat it out but garlic might be cheaper!

 

[MagicMelon]

I read that garlic can make it worse as apparently it can sensitize (sp!) the skin making flies even more of a nuisance. I know I was advised not to feed it to a horse I thought had sweet itch. I tried feeding marmite to mine but mine wouldnt eat it!

 

[maggiesmum]

New research suggests that the garlic smell doesn't come out through the skin as was previously though and that as magic magpie said it can actually make some conditions ie sweetitch worse.
If they won't eat marmite could try brewers yeast?

 

[Albertina]

That's very interesting could you let me know where I can find this info.

A horse at my yard has just started itching and is fed garlic, he didn't suffer from SI last year but did the year before (apparently) it makes me wonder if the garlic has started it off agin