Horse being completely bitten to death by flies! what can I do to help him?

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Gingey

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My poor TB suffers hugely from the flies as soon as it gets warm- I think he must taste nice! :(
He is currently wearing a fly rug with a neck cover almost literally 24/7- it's on all day and night except for when I'm grooming/riding/washing down- and yet still seems to get bitten through/underneath his rug?! He also gets doused in fly spray regularly.
He currently has absolutely LOADS of bites, I think partially due to being left in the stable without a fly rug for a couple of hours on Fri eve by someone who brought him in for me, but like I say I think he must also be getting bitten through rug. :confused:

Is there anything I can do to give him some relief from the flies, or anything I can do to help get rid of the bites he does have? I give him a spray with the hose when he comes in, as well as after riding, and sometimes before turning out too, which he seems to enjoy (keeping him cool too).
I tried various homemade remedies for fly spray last year, which again I'm not sure made any difference.
I've been debating feeding garlic, I did do this the first summer I had him but can't say it made a massive amount of difference, and I've heard things about it upsetting balance of bacteria in the gut etc?

It's a bit of a recurring cycle ATM unfortunately as flies bother him -> he gets upset and runs around -> gets hot and sweaty -> flies bother him even more!

Thanks for any replies.
 
I would be tempted to try Global Herbs flyfree. It is a supplement to put in their feed and have heard really good reports about it for horses that suffer really badly with the flies. It doesn't take to long to take effect either.
 
Thanks Amymay, I do use NAF Deet spray, unfortunately stabling dawn til dusk not an option as am on a livery yard where horses kept in at night. Plus stables are wooden so get very hot during the day, at least outside there's a bit of a breeze. If we were set up to keep in during the day then I would :o
 
HoneyB24 said:
I would be tempted to try Global Herbs flyfree. It is a supplement to put in their feed and have heard really good reports about it for horses that suffer really badly with the flies. It doesn't take to long to take effect either.
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Thanks for the suggestion! :)
 
I give mine garlic licks and put avon so soft oil on them. I think the flies were horrendous last week when the sun finally came out.
 
Hi.ohh the poor chap. I would see about feeding him some garlic powder, as that will make him taste horrid to the flys, pluss you can mix your own fly spray from a few drops of Teatree oil in water, that will all so help the bites to heal, he may smell a bit funny but should work wonders. Good luck
 
As above! Fly sprays with deet are most effective, NAF do one (black bottle) - I've noticed this is a lot better than the other fly sprays I've tried.
I have one who gets very bad sweetitch and any bites drive him insane, so have been feeding him Global Herbs Skratch - it makes a hugeeee difference - makes the horses smell/taste horrible to flying beasties (and you can smell it on them once they've started having it so definitely does what it says it will!) Could be worth a try?
I personally don't feed garlic - I used to, but when I discovered that it wasn't particularly good for horses then I stopped immediately and haven't noticed an increase in the amount of flies, so I'm sure it doesn't actually work for that reason.
Also fly gels on the face etc if he doesn't have any on already, they're a bit more concentrated than the sprays and obviously you can't spray the horses face anyway. Or a mask to stop them getting there?



will have a bit more of a think and come back! x
 
My big horse gets savaged by flies, last year he was bitten so badly around his sheath that it swelled up and he couldn't pee :(

Anyway..I don't do fly rugs, I think they're horrible things and horses end up hot and sweaty in them. I cover him with fly spray (don't have a particular favourite, just whichever is on offer usually!), both ends of the day. Around his sheath, where he seems to be bitten worst, I usually put on something like this http://www.petmeds.co.uk/p-9202-summer-fly-cream-400g.aspx?=googleshopping&CAWELAID=614138071

It's bright yellow so you can make sure you cover completely the sensitive bits and I find it stays on for a couple of days. Really good stuff. I also like the Equimins citronella shampoo - seems to help repel the flies for a few days. I put aloe vera on the bites themselves.
 
My horse reacts terrible to them! I tank the traditional mesh fly rugs can make it worse by flys/bugs getting trapped under them ?

Ive got a snuggy hood switch itch rug/hood on him and it's skin tight and touchwood has stopped the problem. Althoughhe looks a bit of a Plonker in it!:D
 
HBM1 said:
I give mine garlic licks and put avon so soft oil on them. I think the flies were horrendous last week when the sun finally came out.
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Thanks for the reply, yes have heard good things about the Avon stuff will look into it, thanks! When browsing the home made fly spray recipes on here it always seems to come up. Yep this time 2 weeks ago he didn't have a bite on him :(

Jenna c bigg said:
Hi.ohh the poor chap. I would see about feeding him some garlic powder, as that will make him taste horrid to the flys, pluss you can mix your own fly spray from a few drops of Teatree oil in water, that will all so help the bites to heal, he may smell a bit funny but should work wonders. Good luck
Click to expand...

Mm yes, like I say just not sure the garlic actually made a difference.. :( Tried the teatree oil last summer in homemade fly spray, no difference whatsoever! Hadn't realised it actually helped with healing though so maybe I'll give it another go! :) Poor lad actually rubbed a couple raw when in stable unintentionally rugless. Thanks

starryeyed said:
As above! Fly sprays with deet are most effective, NAF do one (black bottle) - I've noticed this is a lot better than the other fly sprays I've tried.
I have one who gets very bad sweetitch and any bites drive him insane, so have been feeding him Global Herbs Skratch - it makes a hugeeee difference - makes the horses smell/taste horrible to flying beasties (and you can smell it on them once they've started having it so definitely does what it says it will!) Could be worth a try?
I personally don't feed garlic - I used to, but when I discovered that it wasn't particularly good for horses then I stopped immediately and haven't noticed an increase in the amount of flies, so I'm sure it doesn't actually work for that reason.
Also fly gels on the face etc if he doesn't have any on already, they're a bit more concentrated than the sprays and obviously you can't spray the horses face anyway. Or a mask to stop them getting there?

will have a bit more of a think and come back! x
Click to expand...
As above, I have the Naf Deet and haven't exactly seen miracles! :( Thanks for the other tips! He rubs fly gel straight off his face, silly animal, and I have yet to get him another fly mask after he removed it every day of summer last year, damaging it more and more each time, until it was totally destroyed- he doesn't help himself! Will have to get him another I guess, and hope he keeps it on.

chestnut cob said:
My big horse gets savaged by flies, last year he was bitten so badly around his sheath that it swelled up and he couldn't pee :(
Anyway..I don't do fly rugs, I think they're horrible things and horses end up hot and sweaty in them. I cover him with fly spray (don't have a particular favourite, just whichever is on offer usually!), both ends of the day. Around his sheath, where he seems to be bitten worst, I usually put on something like this http://www.petmeds.co.uk/p-9202-summer-fly-cream-400g.aspx?=googleshopping&CAWELAID=614138071
It's bright yellow so you can make sure you cover completely the sensitive bits and I find it stays on for a couple of days. Really good stuff. I also like the Equimins citronella shampoo - seems to help repel the flies for a few days. I put aloe vera on the bites themselves.
Click to expand...
Thanks for this, ooh poor big horse, mine doesn't seem to get targeted in a particular area, they're just all over bum, belly, back and neck! :( Well I've got to say, mine's a darkish bay and he seems to stay cooler in his...except when he's been running around trying to escape evil flies of course! :o If I try to turn him out without it on a fly-ey day, he will be really aggravated, if not racing up and down, within minutes, whereas with the fly rug he seems better most of the time. Thanks for the citronella and aloe vera tips too- I feel a large fly-busting shop coming on!!

Thanks v much everyone.
 
HoneyB24 said:
I would be tempted to try Global Herbs flyfree. It is a supplement to put in their feed and have heard really good reports about it for horses that suffer really badly with the flies. It doesn't take to long to take effect either.
Click to expand...

Another vote for flyfree.
 
Buy a sweetitch hoodie. They really are effective in my experience and use Benzyl benzoate or a flyspray containing DEET. I came to this conclusion after trying just about everything for some 40+ years. I am about to order a Rambo SI hoodie for my horse who is at present wearing only a fly rug. He is being plagued but my other horse who has sweetitich [and a RSIhoodie] is grazing unbothered.
 
I usually put on something like this http://www.petmeds.co.uk/p-9202-summer-fly-cream-400g.aspx?=googleshopping&CAWELAID=614138071

It's bright yellow so you can make sure you cover completely the sensitive bits and I find it stays on for a couple of days. Really good stuff. I also like the Equimins citronella shampoo - seems to help repel the flies for a few days. I put aloe vera on the bites themselves.[/QUOTE]


I have heard of this cream before as I need something that i can put on my boys sheath but does it stain them? I show him so need to be able to wash it off when necessary? thanks :)
 
In my experience,garlic has done absolutely nothing to keep flies away from any of the horses on our yard. No one feeds it at all anymore after finding out it doesn!t do anything good for their guts &they are no more fly-ridden! Of all the fly sprays that everyone on the yard has tried(Naf pink one,naf black one,an avocado smelling one(don't know make,nettex one etc) only one that everyone agreed actually worked us the Power Phaser one by Leovet. It stinks but is extremely effective. My boy has sensitive skin&comes up in bumps from fly bites &some shampoos but power phaser is fine on his skin. On hacks with others who have other sprays on,the ones with power phaser on are noticeably flyfree(&same in the field!). similar price to all the other sprays but works!!!
 
Gingey said:
My poor TB suffers hugely from the flies as soon as it gets warm- I think he must taste nice! :(
He is currently wearing a fly rug with a neck cover almost literally 24/7- it's on all day and night except for when I'm grooming/riding/washing down- and yet still seems to get bitten through/underneath his rug?! He also gets doused in fly spray regularly.
He currently has absolutely LOADS of bites, I think partially due to being left in the stable without a fly rug for a couple of hours on Fri eve by someone who brought him in for me, but like I say I think he must also be getting bitten through rug. :confused:

Is there anything I can do to give him some relief from the flies, or anything I can do to help get rid of the bites he does have? I give him a spray with the hose when he comes in, as well as after riding, and sometimes before turning out too, which he seems to enjoy (keeping him cool too).
I tried various homemade remedies for fly spray last year, which again I'm not sure made any difference.
I've been debating feeding garlic, I did do this the first summer I had him but can't say it made a massive amount of difference, and I've heard things about it upsetting balance of bacteria in the gut etc?

It's a bit of a recurring cycle ATM unfortunately as flies bother him -> he gets upset and runs around -> gets hot and sweaty -> flies bother him even more!

Thanks for any replies.
Click to expand...

Hey just had a thought for your boy, you could try Citronella oil, i used it in spain all the time but as a candle in the house. But you can get it at a health food shop in oil form, same principle as Teatree few drops in water. Good luck
 
We use Avon and although I was adament it wouldn't work, it's brilliant. Also sudocreme. I slather hands in it and then coat bum, spin and neck. Has made an incredible difference to our SI mare.

Will be using Coopers and another that is very similar on the older mares who don't think that anything smelling funny is going to kill them :rolleyes:

Pan
 
Deosect is a long acting fly repellent apply about once per month. Expensive but you water it down 10 ml to 500 ml of water so lasts ages!
 
Surreydeb said:
Deosect is a long acting fly repellent apply about once per month. Expensive but you water it down 10 ml to 500 ml of water so lasts ages!
Click to expand...

I was just about to post about Deosect!! Its fab stuff and though it doesn't last the month they quote, I think it is good for a couple of weeks at least! It does smell like paint remover though...:-/
 
Make sure you keep him as clean as possible - flys love a horse that smells of poo - I second the Equimins citronella shampoo as being very good. Also I find the citronella sprays much more effective than fly sprays. This is what I've been using this year and so far I haven't even had to dig out pony's fly mask let along his fly rug :)

I tried Global Herbs Flyfree last year and I didn't notice any improvement - garlic powder is much cheaper and at least as effective in my opinion.
 
My mare reacts really badly to fly bites too. I've never found a supplement or spray that keeps them away. The only sure way for her is a Rambo sweet itch hoody, which is way better than regular mesh rugs - I've never had them sweat in them ever (and she is a really sweaty horse - probably why flies prefer her..) I too bring them in during the day, but also to keep them off the grass as they're fatties.

Rambos are wonderful rugs, and wash/repair well, mine have done 2-3 seasons. I've just bought a Shires sweet itch rug, which, although I've not tried it on yet, seems a similar quality as the Rambo, and is a lot cheaper. Shires are usually good fits on my horses so I thought I'd try one of those this time.
 
I've used a spray designed for stables, horse rugs etc. It does appear to make a difference: I can see fewer flies and midges in the stable, and my horse is much calmer (less tail flicking and stomping).

The spray is meant to last up to a month but I intend to reapply it every two weeks. I've forgot what it is called. The label has a black silhouette of a rider on it.

You could also clip your horse. The smell of horse sweat seems to attract flies.
 
My boy is currently covered in golf ball sized swollen bites despite wearing a fly rug 24/7. He is obviously allergic to mosquitos, and we have never had so many! He is okay during the day, but as soon as it starts to get dark they start their relentless attack and he gets bitten to death, sending him crazy galloping up and down. So stabling him during the day would not be a help. I have invested in a new sweetitch rug by equitheme and have just put it on him now, so will see if he gets some relief. I hope so. At the moment I can't bring him back into work due to the bites being where the tack would go. The material of this rug is much denser than normal fly rugs and the edges seal out the flys so none can get underneath the rug.
 
amymay said:
You need to use a fly spray that contains DEET. And stable him from dawn to dusk.
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Unfortunately, most of the flies that cause the worst allergic reaction come out at night. My boy is fine during the day but they are driving him crazy at night.
 
Mixed report from me on the GH Fly Freee and I think I know why. Our hairy NF it makes no effect whatsoever I figure the flies land and cannot see past the hair for them to notice the smell of the Fly Free to put them off. Whereas our other pony is a delicate skinned show pony with short TB like hair, works a treat. He came to us equipped with fly rugs and masks neither of which hje seemed to like wearing and he can do without both with the Fly Free
We back up with Loevet Power Phaser - both in the spray and the gel, for the under carriage and extra protection for the ears, and this also works well on the NF, lasts a good couple of days too. Also had good results with the NAF citronella in a tub which we got when we couldn''t get the Power Phaser gel (keep a tub in the tack pack for going to shows etc).
 
Okay, an update on the new equitheme rug. My horse would have been doing his nut for about an hour by now, and so far he is grazing peacefully, so things are looking hopeful!
 
If you put 10mla citronella oil in the made up Deosect it smells much nicer and it makes it almost the same as Coopers.... ;)
 
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