Fly-repelling supplements - anyone use?

[domane]

I'm really just curious... I was reading a horse mag and there was a full-page advert for Global Herbs' Flyfree and of course they made it sound like a wonder cure for flies. I just wondered if anyone had tried it and whether it worked... or any other edible supplement (not just talking garlic or marmite, one of the proper, mixed and marketed jobbies)

Thanks

 

[Nocturnal]

I've tried flyfree, and I have to say, it stank. Really, REALLY stank. I managed to get the dose up to 1 scoop per day, but not the recommended 2. My horse is greedy enough that he ate his dinner with the 1 scoop in, but I did feel guilty for making his dinner taste yuk

I decided that the flies aren't bad enough atm to warrant the supplement, but if they get really bad over the summer then I will try it again, maybe mixed with some peppermint oil to make it taste better.

 

[Cocoa]

I have to say, it stank. Really, REALLY stank.

Lol I completely agree with this! A couple of the horses on the yard were on this and absolutely stank, you could smell it as you walked past their stables and when mucking them out and handling them! I don't really know if it worked but I know most people gave up using it because they couldn't stand the smell. It was a weird smell too. And non of them ever made the full dose due to the strength of the smell.

 

[FleabittenT]

Ditto above. Global Herbs FlyFree really, really stinks. It's bright yellow (think curry powder) & stained my grey mare's face! Smell lingers for ages, especially on your hands or gloves. Unsurprisingly, horses weren't keen. Didn't make the blindest bit of difference to the flies either. Vile stuff!

Not tried any of the other fly supplements, put me off tbh. Best thing I've found is Fly-Away fly-free zone spray for stable (http://equestrian-bargains.webs.com/apps/webstore/products/show/965653) & a fly mask for the field

 

[Tinypony]

Just typed a long reply and lost it!! Here's the short version.
My sweetitch pony has hardly any itch this year so far, just a bit at the top of his tail. Brilliant! He doesn't wear a rug and his field's not ideal with loads of places to scratch so what a result. He has Fly Free, a heaped scoop once a day and eats it. However, his mates won't even lick his bowl, so he obviously knows what's good for him. Yes, it stinks, and stains your fingers, but worth it so far. I did start feeding it in February though, as I understand it takes a while to take effect.

 

[Blaise]

I tried fly free for my old boy who had sarcoids to see if it helped with the flies. Managed to get up to about 3/4 scoop before he started to refuse to eat his dinner- and that horse would eat anything! Gave up on it in the end as there was no way i would ever be able to feed the recommended dose. I decided to try Lola on it a few weeks ago as she's really sensitive to flies, just to see if she would eat it. I've managed to get up to about a scoop & a half now and she doesnt seem overly bothered by the taste. Haven't noticed much of a difference with flies yet but dont think i've been feeding it for long enough to have full effect. It really does stink though, kind of like a musty, burning kind of smell. I've grown to quite like it though, and it's one thing i know no-one else is going to try & 'borrow' off me hehe