Major help with flys needed

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Mia&Vin

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Feeling pretty fed up atm, got my new horse in Jan and through saddle and his sore back problems iv only recently got him properly in ridden work

The wait has been worth it and he is just awesome BUT the flies are just horrendous at my yard and been a sensitive tb he gets really upset by them.

Our first solo hack the other day was ruined and cut short as all I had was a stressed cantering on spot bucking horse(and he was enjoying it till the flies got us)Though on the plus side I suppose I got to test his new bitless bridle out when he was less than quiet

My fly repellent only works for all of 30 secs, does anyone have any tips for something that does work. iv not ridden much for a long time so its getting to me now that I still cant ride properly because of the flies
 
I got a ride-on fly sheet for mine. It's stopped him getting so stressed over things landing on his bum (flies or bits of tree!) I don't use the neck part, I spray his shoulders and just use the sheet over his bum. Worth a try?
 
Applied insect repellents are generally useless, I've found. what I have found that works, and will eventually give 6-8 weeks of protection, are Flectron cattle ear tags. They aren't cheap, and you want two, one for each side of the horse. Flectron cattle tags are designed to be pinned to the ear of a cow. You obviously don't do that!! What you do is this;

You pare off the obvious stub with a sharp knife, and you then stitch the ear tags on to the inside of a head collar, one each side. Earlier, I said that it would work, Eventually. It takes two or three days of 24/7 wearing for the chemical to "start" to work. It's vital that the tags are in permanent contact with the horse's skin, as the systemic effect of the chemical is such that it will eventually spread all over the horse's body, giving weeks of protection. With horses that are in and out, I've found that if the horse wears the tags for a few days, and then when turned out the head collar is taken off, but replaced and left on at night, then the "topping up" effect works just as well. The chemical is safe for in foal mares, as it is for youngsters.

The relevant chemical in Flectron tags is Cypermethrin and it's also used on sheep, very effectively. The chemical itself is also available in liquid form as either Deosan or Deosect, I think, and it's licensed for horses. I've used it on horses and it's been successful but doesn't seem to last as long (3-4 weeks?), as the tags. If you buy the chemical as a concentrate, then DON'T overdo the recommended mixture rate, and always select a test area first, as some horses react to the chemical and find that it burns!

The trick I've found with the chemical, when it's in liquid form is to soak the horse first, as if you were bathing it, and then as the chemical needs to come in to contact with the skin, you pour the mix along the dorsal line, from just behind the poll to the dock, being very careful that you don't get it in the horse's eyes, as it'll sting, Always testing it on a small patch first.

One word of warning, the cattle ear tags aren't licensed for horses, but when the chemical is in liquid form, then it is. Work that one out!

Alec.
 
Unfortunately not. The same stuff is in z-itch which I have been using and although it helps keep the midges away it doesn't seem to have any effect on horseflies. I wish I could find something that did as we are overrun with them at the moment and I'm covered in bites.
 
Tri Tec. Yes its more expensive than the rest but it works. I reapply every 2 - 3 days (and after washing off)
 
My horse is exactly the same i just keep trying to take him out when theres less flies like first thing in morning i have tried coopers which works the best but but do still get them buzzing round his face even if they aren't landing on him which he still gets upset about tried a standard fly mask on him when ridden but it made no difference another livery has got a full face one that covers his muzzle aswell which i am going to try on him if that doesn't work may have to just stick to the arena untill winter
 
I use power phaser with my mare and have noticed a big difference in the amount off flies buzzing around us on rides. Definitely worth trying a ride on fly sheet, I use a mesh hi viz one which is similar and she's a lot happier when they can't irritate her all over. The fly masks that attach over the bridle are good for keeping them away from eyes too.
 
I tried the ear tag things on my boys and found that they were useless frankly. Deosect caused adverse reactions to both of them. Trying Coopers spot on at the moment but am about to give that the heave ho as well.
 
The only fly spray I've found that works is the NAF Deet- Power stuff, the black bottle. I recently bought some Equimins stuff as couldn't get the NAF one and it is AWFUL. You might as well spray fresh air on the horse for all the good it does. Gone back to the NAF stuff now and horse definitely has less flies around. In the field he has to have a fly mask on with ears otherwise he is plagued by them constantly and gets very upset. I need to think about investing in one for riding too, really.
 
Is it just me (or where I am in the New Forest) or are there far more flies this year compared to the last few years? My pony usually gets more than her fair share but this year she is absolutely smothered in them.
 
Do you know what really works..... Nothing! The flies are short lived, so I don't beat myself up over not riding every day. Today is cloudy & breezy so I will get them all ridden, but if its very fly'ey I only ride the 2 that tolerate the blood thirsty blighters!! Horseflies bite thru fly rugs, so a mesh sheet won't protect them, but its good for the other types of flies.
 
We use Coopers Spot On (for cattle and sheep) - it's expensive but you only apply 10ml once a month and they don'[t get bitten. The only we use in addition is fly masks (turn out and ride on).
 
I am currently on deosect 3 weekly, with NAF deet every few days in between with NAf citronella gel to face and sheath and a fly mask. tried fly rug and he just got hotter and more itchy alos I hate them being rugged all year round - fly rug in summer turnout in winter .cant beleive is good for coat/skin to never be exposed
 
Thanks everyone, im going to get a ride on fly rug and try some of the suggested repellents to see if any work here.

Oscar id love to say its short lived but I cant even remember once that they havent been a nightmare. We're right next to lakes, very pretty but you never get a break. Even yesterday when was windy and overcast I managed a few minutes schooling but he was still been bitten
 
I have just given up trying to work my horse for now as she bucks and tries to throw herself to the ground if bitten with horse flies when out :( its no fun at all!!
 
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