Fly repellent

[Horsekaren]

Is there such thing as a fly repellent that actually works. I’m looking for something to keep the bog standard fly off my boys legs as he is smashing his hooves stamping. I tried the power phaser cream and I honestly think it is attracting them.
Any suggestions on what works? All be it designed for horses or out of a kitchen cupboard I’m fed up of waisting money on things that do nothing

 

[Horsekaren]

Red horse red zone super is one I’m considering, anyone tried that?

 

[Auslander]

The only ones I find effective are Absorbine Utrashield, and Tritec. Neither of them have the correct licenses to be marketed as an equine fly repellent in the UK, so both are advertised as stable fly repellents - but they are legitimate "on horse" repellents in the USA and Europe. With the recent biting flies that have plagued my lot, my horse was the only one who wasn't being attacked, so several of my liveries have swiftly bought themselves a bottle of Ultrashield. I usually rate Phazer, but it's been useless against the biting ones.

 

[Spottyappy]

I’m another tri etc user, although it does have insecticide in it, which is far from ideal, but it is blooming effective. And, horse flies are not ideal either! Nor any of the other biting flies.

 

[shirl62]

I too was very disappointed with phaser...which only repelled the flies for about 5 mins!...I bought ultrashield which is better.

 

[meleeka]

I use Deosect once a fortnight ish. If needed I also use Biteback Summer Nights which lasts for enough hours to be effective. With 5 I can’t justify the cost of some of the repellents on the market.

 

[Horsekaren]

Thanks I’ve just ordered the ultrashield , fingers crossed that will be better

 

[TPO]

I'm having some success using Bite Back sprays. Although I got the midge shield one and neither of us like it.

The Pro-equine alternative fly spray kinda worked for me too but the neem clogs up sprays. I've found one spray bottle that is so far resistant to the ills of the neem so I'm using that again too.

The tri-tec stuff works but man it's strong. I sometimes get the wobbles about what I put on his skin and can be absorbed. I know that everything is a chemical and "natural" does not equal good/safe but the sprays that actually work are pretty hard core stuff.

I don't know what to do for the best.

I did just see a video on FB of someone applying baby talc to their horse and the flies wouldn't land on it. This just seemed to be the swarmy black flies, I don't know if it would work for midges and clegs. Definitely worth trying if that video is anything to go by

 

[Polos Mum]

Anyone tried the red hoof ear cream for the blood sucking ear ones ? It's really those that drive mine mad (reasonably so given how much blood they suck in their ears )

 

[Griffin]

Anyone tried the red hoof ear cream for the blood sucking ear ones ? It's really those that drive mine mad (reasonably so given how much blood they suck in their ears )

Not yet but I have a tub, so I will pop some on this weekend to see how it goes. If it is anything like their Sweet Oil, it should be quite effective because that does seem to deter flies (it's just too oily to use all over the body).

 

[claret09]

i have found power phaser to be excellent, but i do think different fly sprays work on different horses

 

[Reri1826]

I like the Red Horse ear balm- does the job well. I use it on his sheath as well.

 

[Spottyappy]

has anyone on here tried talcum powder,which according to social media is the latest cheap “thing” to work?

 

[IngramsRoughDiamond]

Deosect twice a week, and then i make my own, Citronella oil, Lavender, Green Tea, Vinegar, Garlic, Lemon zest, all tempered in hot water for a day or two and strained after. Works well

 

[Keira 8888]

Have heard coopers spot on is amazing! Not licensed for horses but many vets commend it “off the record”

 

[cauda equina]

has anyone on here tried talcum powder,which according to social media is the latest cheap “thing” to work?

Imperial Leather talc contains benzyl benzoate so in theory should have some effect

OP, are you sure your horse isn't stamping due to mites?

 

[Tihamandturkey]

I'm using Doterra lemon eucalyptus oil and it seems to be doing the trick ?

 

[mini_b]

Found Power phazer gel seems to work better than the spray which I found worked really well for about 30 mins :/

 

[Esmae]

Personally I don't think I have ever found a decent fly repellent. Used Deosect once and it had the most awful reaction on my old horse. Had to wash it off pdq!

 

[meleeka]

Personally I don't think I have ever found a decent fly repellent. Used Deosect once and it had the most awful reaction on my old horse. Had to wash it off pdq!

It’s always recommended to do a patch test. Luckily my chestnut mare who has super sensitive skin is fine with it, but I did start with a tiny blob (she comes up in lumps almost straight away with some repellents).

 

[Dwyran_gold]

I use power phaser spray on my horse. the fly’s are bad around here.. they are the only horses in the field without fly’s on them. X

 

[Dwyran_gold]

i have found power phaser to be excellent, but i do think different fly sprays work on different horses

agree. It works amazing on my horses. X

 

[Quigleyandme]

I’m using a pour on called Butox which is working well and only needs to be applied once every two weeks or so. I noticed the bullocks next door didn’t have any flies on them whatsoever because the farmer uses Butox. It’s not licensed for horses but my vet said she uses it on hers and on any equine patients with wounds to repel flies.

 

[Dave's Mam]

Hedgewitch Icaridan spray is great. Dave hates flies & gets really wound up. The hedgewitch spray seems to stop them landing, & I use it on me too.

 

[shirl62]

I would be a bit concerned using talc in case powder particles are inhaled as I read that someone was dusting it on their horses face.

 

[criso]

Hedgewitch Icaridan spray is great. Dave hates flies & gets really wound up. The hedgewitch spray seems to stop them landing, & I use it on me too.

Icardin/ Saltidin is also the active ingredient in the red horse one and biteback. I find it works reasonably well and isn't as harsh as deet.