OK-so what can I do about fly bites and advice for nxt summer?

[claire1976]

I'm having a nightmare with flies still and this year has been worse than ever. My mare had a nasty fly bite last year between her front legs on her chest and this year the flies have attacked the same spot and continued all under her belly. Her fly sheet does not cover that area so that's no use. I've tried numerous fly sprays including the home made one featured on the forum but none of them have worked on her. I also smothered her belly in that awful yellow summer fly cream in order to prevent them chewing at her but they are persistant little b*****s

. Now she's clearly fed up with them and there are fresh ones daily with trails of blood where they've attacked her. My stables will be built soon so I could stable her next year during the summer days but I hate seeing her cooped up when her mates are outside. Plus it seems to be dawn and dusk that flies are the worst.
Does anyone have any new suggestions for treating the bites, preventing them chewing constantly and preventing bites for next summer????
Any advice much appreciated!

 

[brightmount]

I would suggest looking at different brands of fly rug, as many have a panel that goes under the belly and would provide better coverage.

Or you may have to resort to a Boett rug if you want to be sure of keeping the midges at bay.

 

[Dougie]

well there are ear tags which u put on cattle that work very well on horses. not as ear tags, dont worry, but attached to a head collar and plaited into the tail

 

[cevans]

The ear tags work well - my poor boys live next to a pig farm and get plagued - and the tags worked wonders for us!

we were lucky in that we could give them access to the stables from the paddock - can you do this? - it does mean they can get in at dawn and dusk and get some relief

 

[claire1976]

The fly rug I have does have a belly panel but its quite small and loose so flies still get under it and it doesn't go right under her chest where she seems to get attacked. I'll have a look at the Boett rug.
What are the ear tags called? I don't think I've seen them before, but they sound great.
When the stables are up I could possibly allow access all summer which would be better although not sure my mare would have the sense to find shelter away from them!!
Thanks for the advice guys.

 

[ruscara]

There is a feed supplement which is supposed to keep flies away 'from the inside'. I imagine it will taste very strong, but if you horse would eat it, perhaps it would be worth trying. I cannot remember what it is called. 'No fly zone' or something? Poor horses, I hate to see them suffer like that.

 

[Skilgariff]

My friends mare was badly bitten this year on her chest area and the yellow summer fly cream worked a treat. I use good old sudocrem on my mare which seems to stop bites.....mind you I use it for everything!

 

[flyingfeet]

There are various different makes of fly tags - its finding somewhere that sells them in singles thats the problem. Doubt you want to spend £40 on a box of 25!

I had auriplak ear tags this season.

 

[mrussell]

The Espace gel is great for keeping flies off of wounds AND cooling the inflammation.

This year Ive been mostly using a mixture of cold tea, dettol, Avon skin so soft oil, lavender oil and a squirt of washing up liquid. Its worked ruddy brilliantly. And save me a fortune.

We live right beside a dairy farm and resevoir too so we have a huge fly issue. Cant get a harder test for fly repellants !

 

[Lynz25]

We went to get the Espace yellow gel a few months ago as it really seems to do the trick. Apparently it has been withdrawn due to a change in EC regulations - not allowed to use citronella oil due to the chance of allergies!?!?

I give my horses garlic all year and increase it over the summer - seems to work. Last year we bought a youngster and he was covered with flys but the other 2 which have been on garlic for ages were much better.

 

[KatB]

Best fly rug we found, and had a really serious prob in GLos, was the snuggy hoods one. Really helped with TB who seriously suffered. Covering up is the bast way of pevention TBH, lotions and potions go so far, but most can just agrovate. Buy a decent covering rug, and cover effected areas in Aloe vera to sooth and heal. keep in in the day as much as possible too.