New pony being eaten by flies - advice please

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Polos Mum

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Lovely new thin skinned TB is absolutely being eaten alive, under his tail, between his front legs all covered in marble size lumps
Bless him, I'm going to get a fly rug tomorrow

How are these differemt to a light weight turnout? they don't really cover the bits that are worst?

Any sprays any good?

Garlic - pros/ cons

Anything I'm missing

The other horses here have no issues with flies but are much tougher types and grey (if that makes a difference)
 
My mare gets bitten to bits too, and often reacts to them with big lumps and swellings. I put her in a Rambo sweet itch hoody, they're the best and strongest. Obviously compared to a lightweight turnout they're not waterproof.. I bring her in by day in the summer. I haven't found a flyspray that is that good!
 
Garlic helps a little but I’ve never really seen THAT much impact though its worth a try.
Fly rugs are the best if its really bad I recommend the ones that cover the neck and belly too. They are very light weight, keeps them a bit cleaner as well,, but you wont have to worry about them getting hot in them. I have a stream going through the field which gave my horse lumps all over the neck and saddle area, so bad you could see them before feeling, but a fly rug worked miracles. I also use a naf off gel and apply it with a sponge on the legs. But you could also use the spray, the only reason I don’t is because mines funny about the sprays. Although you could make your own spray like I did with my other horse and I don’t think its any worse than the shop ones


1 c. water

2 c. apple cider vinegar

1 TBSP citronella oil

1 TBSP. Eucalyptus oil
 
Thanks all, even with a belly strap it won't cover between his front legs or down his back legs - but it'll be better than nothing I guess

I am sceptical about lotions and potions! thanks for confirming
 
Coopers Spot On for cattle is the thing I have found best. It's like the spot on for dogs/cats. Keeps flies off and also mites and ticks and works for 4-6 weeks from a single application
 
The flies here in Spain get really bad in summer, and Ive tried everything, homemade stuff (which I find dries to fast and the smell goes)... Garlic (waste of time) and many lotions and potions and the best Ive found is Tri-tec, I only need to spray every 5 days, and it works, its not cheap, but a bottle lasts me all summer on 3 horses
 
Fides said:
Coopers Spot On for cattle is the thing I have found best. It's like the spot on for dogs/cats. Keeps flies off and also mites and ticks and works for 4-6 weeks from a single application
Click to expand...

Have you tried this on a sensitive v thin skinned tb. I did used to use this decades ago!!
 
NAF D-itch is wonderful stuff. It's thick gloopy pink goo that stops the flies landing, it's got stuff that sooths the itch from the bites there already so they don't scratch and it helps to heal so you can put it on broken skin. I use a Boet style rug with my cob, that has a tummy panel on it and a big tail flap, along with a full face mask with ears and any exposed skin like sheath, around the top of his back legs etc gets gloop on it. That keeps him fairly itch free over the summer
 
Fides said:
Coopers Spot On for cattle is the thing I have found best. It's like the spot on for dogs/cats. Keeps flies off and also mites and ticks and works for 4-6 weeks from a single application
Click to expand...

This. One day last week, our horses were all swishing their tails and flicking their ears at flies and midges, so we treated them all with Spot-On which we get from the local farm store and the next day, not a sign of swishing/flicking, or any other fly-related movement. It really is good stuff!
 
My new pony came in from the field on Thursday covered in huge lumps caused by flies. I have borrowed a fly rug for now and put Phaser fly spray on the bits that are exposed. The rug I borrowed has ear holes which keeps the neck up, does anyone know if the Rambo sweet itch hoody has the same. I can't tell looking at the photos. Thanks.
 
I bought Tri Tec for the first time last year as the flies were driving me and my pony mad and at that time she did not have access to a field shelter. It made such a difference and she was much more relaxed (so was I!).
 
Ours is super sensitive to bites too, she really gets eaten alive & they swell to the size of golf balls :( I have her in a Rambo sweet itch rug & then cover her whole face in a fly gel/cream. Seems to be working x
 
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