Help with horseflies?

I also got the Emouchine but I've got a feeling it's not for horses, my grey reacted quite badly to it - I will read the bottle again - it's in French - but as you say it's brown.
 
Would love to know what sprays people find actually work on these. I have a black horse and he's absolutely plagued, whatever I use. They were dreadful this evening and I felt so sorry for him, we only managed a short ride before we had to give up.
 
OldNag said:
Would love to know what sprays people find actually work on these. I have a black horse and he's absolutely plagued, whatever I use. They were dreadful this evening and I felt so sorry for him, we only managed a short ride before we had to give up.
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My black D was the same, got him a fly rug with belly strap in the end, and just squirt the exposed bits, it seems to have done the trick.
 
Ok, done a bit of research via good ole google.

Pour-on liquids and ear tags have limited success.

And yes, horse-flies are more attracted to dark coloured horses, moving at walking pace - although my grey girls were covered today!

Anyway apparently horse flies are also attracted to the colour bright blue - there goes our matchy matchy then! Research has had some success in removing horse-flies by using a blue cylinder coated with some sticky substance, but to be most effective this should move at walking pace - researchers suggest attaching a blue cap to a hat and walking around your fields! PMSL!

Happy hunting!
 
I'm getting quite skilled at murdering horse flies now. Fly spray doesn't do a lot, after I covered my horses in it and watched them get bitten, I'm just getting up really early to ride (or waiting until 7/8pm). The ponies are finally making good use of the field shelter at last !
 
I will have to ride at 5am if I want to ride now, they are here in force and my horse is hypersensitive to them..:(
 
After 4 years living in hot countries I never did find a fly spray that got rid of the horrid things. But what I have found really effective is lavendar oil, seems to be a brilliant natural repellent, we dilute it in water and sponge it on the horses before they're turned out / exercised and the smell really keeps the flies at bay. Any that do land tend to fly off again pretty quickly!
Also for those humans who react badly to horsefly bites (or insect bites of any kind really) you may find lavendar oil is rather good for preventing itching. Get a small bottle of Essential Oils lavendar oil and keep it in your pocket when you're around the horses, if you get bitten put some oil on it straight away & it can really lessen the irritation. ((Don't apply it to broken skin though - that just HURTS!))
 
Spanish Eyes said:
Ok, done a bit of research via good ole google.


Anyway apparently horse flies are also attracted to the colour bright blue - there goes our matchy matchy then! Research has had some success in removing horse-flies by using a blue cylinder coated with some sticky substance, but to be most effective this should move at walking pace - researchers suggest attaching a blue cap to a hat and walking around your fields! PMSL!

Happy hunting!
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Right! I'm going to create a sticky blue cap to go over my riding hat. I am going to cover this sticky blue cap in insecticide and lavender,then I am going to ride my horse at a walk. I might also make him a bright blue sticky bonnet.
Will let you all know how it goes.
 
In 20 odd yrs of horse ownership, I have yet to find anything to keep them away.

The only good thing is that the horse fly 'window' is reltively short and the worst should be over in a few weeks!

I find riding very early, or later in the evening is the only way to really avoid them, and if they are really bothering the horses in the field, I bring them in during the day.
 
cob&onion said:
My black D was the same, got him a fly rug with belly strap in the end, and just squirt the exposed bits, it seems to have done the trick.
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I do turn him out in a fly rug, and squirted with fly repellent, but it's more for when we're riding. I make sure we ride at least fly-y times but it's still a real problem keeping him fly-free when we're out hacking :mad:

I've got some lavender oil, so will give that a go tomorrow. Poor boy is getting fed up getting nibbled. I have limited success splatting them off as he is not keen on whips at the best of time, me trying to splat them is liable to send him potty, poor chap!
 
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abitodd said:
Right! I'm going to create a sticky blue cap to go over my riding hat. I am going to cover this sticky blue cap in insecticide and lavender,then I am going to ride my horse at a walk. I might also make him a bright blue sticky bonnet.
Will let you all know how it goes.
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Super. Shall expect an update. Out of interest what colour is your horse? - cos you know if he's dark you will have to get him dyed!
 
OldNag said:
I have limited success splatting them off as he is not keen on whips at the best of time, me trying to splat them is liable to send him potty, poor chap!
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Ooh no I just splat 'em with my hand, far more satisfying :D I usually give the horse a little scratch or pat in the general area before I go in for the kill, just to give them a bit of warning that I'm about to slap :p
 
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