horse flies GRRRRRRRRR!!!!

L

lunarlove

Well-Known Member
Joined
18 December 2013
Messages
103
Visit site
Hey, so I keep my horses in wootton bassett area and I have never known horse flies so bad, I had to cut a ride short the other evening as my poor very sensitive TB was literally getting attcked, he was covered, he was clearly in pain too as he was holding his breath and shaking and when we got back to the yard he was all covered in bloody spots where they had got to him. Any one else suffering with then and does anyone have any reccomendations on decent repellants?
 
I went out yesterday evening smothered in neem oil. I did their legs with fly rugs still on, then quickly put the saddle on and did the neck, ears and belly and left the led horse until I was ready to go so I could smother her, too. We stank to high heaven and resembled an oil slick on many legs, but the only thing that got attacked was my jeans, so I have matching bites on each thigh.

However, the first thing OH said when I got back was, "Are you showering before we go for a walk?!?" Oops...
 
They do seem worse than ever this year. We always get loads at the bottom of our field and around the lanes where I hack but I have never really had a problem riding in our school, just maybe one or two during an hour lesson. Had a lesson yesterday morning and already at 9 am they were all over us, it was horrible.

I couldn't concentrate never mind my poor horse so we finished early, really annoying. Its just at the same time as I need to work my good doer every day. I have ordered a fly rug for riding now so hopefully that will help.

It did get me thinking how the professional riders manage, I guess they don't finish training sessions or cancel events so they must cope with them somehow..maybe someone else on here might know what they do?
 
They are horrendous here in North Bucks too. Never known them quite this bad. Considering buying a ride on fly sheet for mine. Not sure how to stop me from getting bitten though.
 
Really bad here too in Hertfordshire, been riding really early and there are fewer around getting quite good and sqishing them now, you have to wear gloves though or they make a real mess of your hands.:)
 
They have just started to get bad up my end too.

I invested in a bottle of tri-tec and have to admit it does work - we had horse flies buzzing around but only a couple attempted to land, so must have missed a patch with the spray.

The downside is I got bitten instead, so need to apply it to myself too!
 
I always thought complete body cover fly rugs were a bit over the top........well today I was considering them, my horses were going mental even after I sprayed them......bloody things (flies)
 
I have Fly Rider rugs on mine - the horses were so much happier hacking out today! The flies were still buzzing round us though and upon discovering that they couldn't bite the horses they went for me instead! 7 bites on my legs and 1 on my arm! Ouch!
 
We left for a hack at 8pm this evening and it was fairly fly free by then, that's why I ride late in the summer, well, because of the flies, the heat and the farm traffic. We are always late back to the yard but it's worth it.
 
thanks guys, currently in the market for ride on fly rugs and tritec!! (much to the disgust of my OH, more bl**dy money) :)
 
I use a ride on fly rug and Power Phaser... I do myself too :D I do wonder how the fly rugs work, as the flies seem to manage to bite me through my clothes! Maybe it's a combination of the mesh and the horse swishing/twitching?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top