PLEASE HELP! Flies when hacking - Nothing Works!!!!!!!

[nikkiportia]

OK, so flies are a pretty normal problem, I'm used to battling against them, but my pony Slim seems to suffer more than others.
I'm baffled

When we ride, he just ends up with an entire swarm as soon as he gets a bit hot. Regardless of how clean he is, or what flyspray he has on! It's driving me insane, because it's so bad he starts headshaking, twitching and eventually stumbling because they drive him insane!
Today was really bad, but what I don't understand is that we were out with another coloured cob, who had the same fly spray on (NAF DEET) and Slim was covered, whereas other cob wasn't

He does start sweating pretty quickly, so perhaps that is why? But then he is covered even before he starts sweating, so I just don't know! Ideas? Are some horses more attractive to flies?
Do you think I should clip him out to try and cut down the sweating?
Does Garlic really work? Is it worth a try?
Any ideas guys???

 

[JessPickle]

some ponies at my yard are fed garlic, they stink of it and appear to have a lot less flies on them!

 

[merlinsquest]

I have used power phazer (sp) by Leovet...... it smells so bad that I dont want to be near him, let alone the flies. Its really horrible but works on merlin

 

[LauraBR]

Nothing to lose trying garlic! Not sure what else to suggest...

 

[katie_southwest]

I used to have a pony who would go mental at flies so much that I would nearly fall off - kicking out and spinning to get rid. With my mare now she tolerates them a bit better but I try to go out early morning or late night, there are still some around but no where near as bad!

 

[moscow_mule]

Hi,have you tried hacking him out wearing a fly mask or a fly fringe attached to both browband and noseband?Also another vote for feeding garlic.

 

[mintaka04]

Avon skin-so-soft? the woodland one.

 

[Jane_Lou]

My old mare was driven mad with flies, a friend suggested global Herbs flyfree and the effect was amazing! I would be the first to admist that it makes the horse stink but if it works then does it really matter! (and the more they sweat the worse they smell!!!)

 

[nikkiportia]

He does wear a fly fringe, have tried stinky fly sprays beofre to no avail.
Think I'll try the garlic next, then another fly spray or skin so soft.
Keep any other ideas coming peeps

 

[nikkiportia]

I had seen that for sale, wondered if it would work

Maybe I'll try that if the garlic fails. In fact perhaps I'm better off trying it before the garlic, depends how pricey it is

 

[Jane_Lou]

The global herbs is a feed supplement, it is a bit like feeding garlic but more smelly, that is why the smell increases when they get hot, it is literally coming out their pores and it starts working witin a few days of starting feeding it.

 

[Ottinmeg]

i have just started using leovet power phaser and it does keep the flies away.The other thing i have also used is a suppliment called think fly. That makes them stink to but you have to start feeding it in march time to get it into there system so won't help you at the mo.

 

[Shilasdair]

I can't remember where, but I have seen a fly sheet, with neck cover, designed for your horse to wear during ridden work.
I will try to remember, but I have not been kind to my brain over the years

.
S

Found it! http://www.tackdirect.co.uk/prod_show.asp?id=398

 

[Fleur100]

Try Listerene mouth wash diluted 2:1

 

[Haniki]

My brain is a bit like yours Shilasdair but a quick Google produced this:
http://www.stockleyonline.co.uk/catalog/cashel-crusader-quietride-bug-armour-p-669.html

 

[ISHmad]

Coopers fly repellent is brilliant. It's the only thing that has worked for us consistently. Make sure you test patch it thoroughly first though. But would highly recommend.

 

[hussar]

Another vote for Leovet Power Phaser - it does stink but you get used to it and it seems to work against all types of fly.

 

[Starsy]

I got some shoo-fly off ebay, and that's worked better than anything else I've tried, including some hideously expensive 50 pound stuff I bought last year! The flies still buzz round, but they don't land!

 

[tabithakat64]

Another vote for power phazer by Leovet, my cob seems to attract horse flies and they drive him nuts, this has really helped (he's fed garlic too)

 

[chriscrogul]

Maybe they're attracted to the rider........

How are you Nikki, looks like you're getting on top of things with Slim, I'm pleased for you!

xx

 

[louise4208]

I use global herbs fly free too, it's brilliant. I tried it because I moved to a new field where the flies and midgies are horrendous. After feeding fly free for 2 weeks the horses finally have some peace to graze without being swarmed by flying things!
It totally stinks, like smelly old hoof oil. I have to disguise it in some molasses.