Ideas for reducing insect bites...

[soloequestrian]

One of my horses reacts badly to insect bites - usually just a small raised swelling but she has had hard patches under her skin in the past. I thought we were doing really well this year with 5 antihistamines twice per day. Today was overcast and still and she came in with some bites around her chest area. She has a fly rug but really doesn't like wearing it - I think she gets hot and itchy because of the rug. Is there anything else anyone can suggest to help? I could up the antihistamines; I could use spray but I'm never convinced it's that effective. Wondering if there are any shampoos out there that have good results or other ideas, thanks.

 

[Barton Bounty]

What weight is she?

 

[racebuddy]

One of my horses reacts badly to insect bites - usually just a small raised swelling but she has had hard patches under her skin in the past. I thought we were doing really well this year with 5 antihistamines twice per day. Today was overcast and still and she came in with some bites around her chest area. She has a fly rug but really doesn't like wearing it - I think she gets hot and itchy because of the rug. Is there anything else anyone can suggest to help? I could up the antihistamines; I could use spray but I'm never convinced it's that effective. Wondering if there are any shampoos out there that have good results or other ideas, thanks.

Mine suffers really bad with the flies , doesn’t help he has allergies but is on the vaccine for this he has A snuggy hood rug , and we been applying the deosect which is only available my vets which lasts up to 2 weeks , he’s actually having time out without his rugs

 

[soloequestrian]

Thanks, I do have some Switch which we tried last year, I think it's the same class of compound as Deosect.... I don't really like using it, it just seems a nasty solution. Is Deosect okay to use? She is a good weight, I would say pretty much ideal.

 

[Mrs G]

My sensitive skinned TB gets into a right state with fly bites, Ive not found a fly repellent that works (pretty much tried them all). The only thing that really helps is a good fly rug - you might need to research a bit to get the right fit/material for your horse. I like the sweetitch type rugs that go over the head and then have a belly piece (and some come with sheath/udder guards too). The better quality ones are more breathable and tbh I've found my (naturally hot temperatured) horse stays cooler wrapped up from the flies in a rug than running himself into a stressed, sweaty mess because they are bothering him so much! Ive attached a particularly Himalayan lump he got last year from a horsefly bite when I wasnt quick enough getting his rug on!

 

[racebuddy]

Thanks, I do have some Switch which we tried last year, I think it's the same class of compound as Deosect.... I don't really like using it, it just seems a nasty solution. Is Deosect okay to use? She is a good weight, I would say pretty much ideal. The deosect is dreally strong xx but mine seems to tolerating it well xx

 

[Barton Bounty]

Have you tried hot horse spray?

My sensitive skinned TB gets into a right state with fly bites, Ive not found a fly repellent that works (pretty much tried them all). The only thing that really helps is a good fly rug - you might need to research a bit to get the right fit/material for your horse. I like the sweetitch type rugs that go over the head and then have a belly piece (and some come with sheath/udder guards too). The better quality ones are more breathable and tbh I've found my (naturally hot temperatured) horse stays cooler wrapped up from the flies in a rug than running himself into a stressed, sweaty mess because they are bothering him so much! Ive attached a particularly Himalayan lump he got last year from a horsefly bite when I wasnt quick enough getting his rug on!

 

[Mrs G]

Have you tried hot horse spray?

I confess thats one I havent tried but I dont use fly repellents at all now - horse even gets stressed about having them applied! So I just keep him physically covered (fly rug in field and ride-on fly rug when ridden).

 

[Barton Bounty]

It has an option to spray onto a microfibre and rub right into the coat and should then only need reapplied every couple of days. Its the only thing that worked for me for horseflies as well

I confess thats one I havent tried but I dont use fly repellents at all now - horse even gets stressed about having them applied! So I just keep him physically covered (fly rug in field and ride-on fly rug when ridden).

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I use the barrier H super gel and I just apply with a glove on its about the only fly stuff I can use on Arabi everything else makes his hair fall out.

 

[maya2008]

Try different fly rugs? There are some really lightweight ones. My little mare has a Masta one that I got second hand from marketplace. Cost me £10, is light as anything and she really likes it.

 

[Barton Bounty]

I have a 5’9 lemon pattern one if anyone needs one

 

[soloequestrian]

She has a Horseware rug at the moment because those tend to fit her well. I'll have a look at the Masta ones - how is sizing for them?

 

[Melandmary]

My mare gets bitten a lot under her belly and between her back legs and teats. The best thing I have found is to apply a thick layer of sudacrem every couple of days as the flies won’t land on it and it soothes anywhere she has been bitten….of course this is if u don’t mind white gunk on them, mine is a mainly white coloured cob so you can’t see it. cheap and cheerful solution

 

[maya2008]

She has a Horseware rug at the moment because those tend to fit her well. I'll have a look at the Masta ones - how is sizing for them?

Not sure - mine is a size too big ‘cos it was so cheap I wasn’t passing up the opportunity! When I used them before they were spot on. It’s just really lightweight mesh with a silky lining on the parts that might rub.

 

[DeliaRides]

Half of our yard now swear by a generous dollop of regular talcum powder all over. Apparently flies hate it as they get stuck and suffocate. No idea what it's like for horses that are itchy generally or with sensitive skin but our field is now full of ghost ponies and nothing is getting bitten!

I'm half expecting someone to come along and tell me it's actually deadly for horses....

 

[expanding_horizon]

Half of our yard now swear by a generous dollop of regular talcum powder all over. Apparently flies hate it as they get stuck and suffocate. No idea what it's like for horses that are itchy generally or with sensitive skin but our field is now full of ghost ponies and nothing is getting bitten!

I'm half expecting someone to come along and tell me it's actually deadly for horses....

Wierd how much talc to cover face, back, belly, armpits etc

 

[DeliaRides]

Some put it literally everywhere and create ghost ponies, others just in sensitive areas. Any cheap brand apparently!

 

[catkin]

Ponies share human antihistamine cream on any lumps.
We use Anthisan as it seems to work here on our particular ponies,but I'd guess it is a bit like what flyspray, different ones work for different places

 

[expanding_horizon]

Some put it literally everywhere and create ghost ponies, others just in sensitive areas. Any cheap brand apparently!

Have you tried it?

 

[DeliaRides]

I haven't yet... we only moved yet a few months ago so it's only just come up and our pony doesn't seem to really be that bothered by flies at the moment.

 

[soloequestrian]

I do sometimes put antihistamine cream on bites but also have spray that seems to ease itching. I'd prefer to stop the swellings developing in the first place though. Talc is interesting. I wonder if anyone makes it with a 'hint of bay'....

 

[Jambarissa]

I have this issue, it's my specialist subject

In the first instance a good fly rug is best prevention. They do get hot under some but not others. Ask for suggestions, I have the big horse shop sweetitch rug and a snuggy bug rug.

If normal fly sprays don't work how do you feel about insecticides? There are none licensed for use on horses in this country but plenty for sale that are licenced in other countries. Tritec 14 and Asorbine Ultra black. Check out the H&H best fly spray article. I can not believe how effective they are and they last for days not hours.

If there are areas that get badly attacked such as the girth or teats battles summer fly cream can be spread on thickly and flies won't go near. It does stain yellow though!

Jock itch powder is good for general itching, it's just a talc with a cooling menthol in it.

Fly bite creams are good for bringing down the bites and stopping the itching, there are anti histamine and cortisol versions.

Pour over lavender wash regularly to help deter flies and make the horse feel fresher.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I try not to use fly masks and rugs one of mine has nerve damage so masks can trigger head rubbing and shaking, the other one just hates them but I wash the mane and tail regularly with dermolene medicated shampoo, I use wonder gel and Barrier H super gel and just apply it with rubber gloves.

But I will actually try the talc powder that sounds like it could work but one of my Arab's is allergic to much I'm really careful what I put on him or all his hair falls out.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

If you want a really light weight fly rug the shires aspen is so thin I buy them for my sensitive thin coated Arab and they don't rub him at all.