new beasties around this year? Horses rubbing?

[lynspop]

Slightly random title but just wondering if anyone elses horses are being irritated by flies this year, but arent usually?
A lot of the school ponies and my own horse have been rubbing their faces and causing small scabs etc, and just generally looking like they have mild sweet itch (although they arent itching anywhere else on their body) although none of them have ever been bothered by flies etc before now.
Fly spray doesnt seem to make much difference.
If anyone else is having the same problem, how are they treating it? Im a bit stumped- especially as they have never suffered before from any kind of irritation

 

[golddustsara]

Yes we are having the same trouble. P has rubbed the top of his tail off and hasn't showed hints of rubbing in previous years....

 

[vetsbestfriend]

We are having major problems with huge amounts of green fly in Peterborough which are coming out late afternoon/early evening. Fly spray does not repel them and the horses are going mad rubbing, swishing tails etc.