Horse being driven nuts by flies

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poiuytrewq

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What's the best rug for coverage? He's not a ripper or a rubber so not too worried about strength (to an extent!)
Currently grazing horses in a fab field. Lots of grass surrounded by natural shelter. So plenty of shade whatever time of day but the other side of the trees directly is a wide stream which I think is the problem and the flies are horrific. The other horses are ridden so get a fly break but my retired boy is here 24/7. I check them 3 times daily and he's cantering round much of the time trying to get away from them. He wears a PE superlite all the time and a good hood which he never removes.
I have another field to move them to in two weeks when the current tenants vacate but two weeks is a long time!
He's supposed to be resting his old legs and having a well deserved retirement but tbh he's less miserable in the middle of winter!
 
They really are horrible this year. The warble fly is around as well which really upsets them. Could you get hold of some Coopers pour on for cattle it really helps. Its not licensed for horses but was recommended to me by a retired Vet.
 
Nettle123 said:
They really are horrible this year. The warble fly is around as well which really upsets them. Could you get hold of some Coopers pour on for cattle it really helps. Its not licensed for horses but was recommended to me by a retired Vet.
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I heard something similar regarding the coopers. I also heard about a 'spot on' for cows and sheep? Not looked into it though. Should do really after having an £85 vet bill on Friday morning for a swollen sheath caused by fly bites :@
 
mine has trashed 2 fly rugs already this year. flies are terrible especially the horse flies. hes coming in during the day now. am considering buying a Rambo fly rug as I think it will be the best.
 
Can you try some fly boots? A friend had a horse who was constantly annoyed and stomping, but the boots made him 100% happier.
 
He has a Rambo, it's not a great fit and doesn't cover anywhere near as much as his current rug.
He has fly boots but actually I got them for vasculitis which *touch wood* he isn't suffering with this year so I've not used but that's silly of me! Duh! I'll dig them out today.
He can't really come in no as there are no stables where he is and tbh if he were in he'd only kick the door and scream all day. I think that's what he wants but then he'd get there and remember he hates being in, he's like Andy from little Britain ;)
Is the pour on type repellant actually good? I spend a fortune on fly sprays which seem to do very little.
I'd go for the snuggy hood bug suit but am sure it would be unbearable in this heat- anyone got one?
 
my friend had a snuggy suit for her NF - i actually thought he was going to liquify a few days it was so hot under the rug (we took it off and hosed for the record ;) )

I use the Rambo fly buster with vamoose and really like it - all the horseware models seem to fit fifferently and the ones for sweet itch are much thicker and hotter. The vamoose actually seems quite good at keeping the flies off though.

For comparison re. fit for ponios shape, the Mark Todd was a disaster - it appeared to fit OK when first put on, but soon tried to migrate toward her bum, strangling her in the process - also developed snags and small holes after she rolled in it the first afternoon (right after being turned out, watched it happen!).

Maybe if you can borrow a few to see which cut fits best before shelling out?

Fly spray wise - really disappointed by Power Phaser (and also super expensive) not that great at it's job, makes my skin itchy when applying the gel stuff and the spray is not advised to be used by people with asthma (and I can see why!).
Really like the Eqyss Marigold spray. We can ride through actual clouds of midges and not get bothered. Use it on myself too, plus bonus smells great. :)
 
Drat! Just been and bought Phazer as I heard it was amazing! The rug he has fits him nicely, really nicely actually and never rubs or slips but I wondered about more coverage.
Been looking at the Equitheme ones, similar to a boett but vastly cheaper! They look quite good.
He's not a cold horse even in winter so think he does need a mesh type rather than snuggy hood type.
Counting down the days til we can move!
 
Nettle123 said:
They really are horrible this year. The warble fly is around as well which really upsets them. Could you get hold of some Coopers pour on for cattle it really helps. Its not licensed for horses but was recommended to me by a retired Vet.
Click to expand...

I have only just noticed this, I hope you are mistaken regarding the warble fly as it is supposedly eradicated now, the last outbreak was in 1990, I suspect you have seen bot flies which wind the horses up and are still around in most areas.
 
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