Winged beasties

[AutumnDays]

Anyone else struggling with these blighters? Normal pesky flies seem to have doubled in numbers over the last few weeks, and now the horseflies the size of small birds have made an appearance... Boy do they bite! After trying countless sprays and gels, which seem to do nothing other than give me a migraine or give the horses bald patches, I've given in and bought fly rugs. I dislike my horses in rugs at anytime of year, so this has made me pout! They don't fit the best (a whole other thread I think!), but the welts left by the bites and watching them be agitated and irritated, I've deemed it necessary. Now I need to make myself less tasty, as I react just as bad!
Anyone else finding it hard to win a battle, never mind the war?!

 

[J&S]

I must be so lucky! no flies here in my part of Devon! When the sun came out the first time (before the big rainy time) they were covered on their faces and needed fly masks, now, none. Wierd or what?

 

[AutumnDays]

I must be so lucky! no flies here in my part of Devon! When the sun came out the first time (before the big rainy time) they were covered on their faces and needed fly masks, now, none. Wierd or what?

Very lucky! In my part of Wales we haven't had rain for a month, and they are multiplying by the day coupled with being in a predominantly dairy farming area, I think it's like a tourist destination for flying, bitey things

 

[poiuytrewq]

We are ok here in Gloucestershire aswell so far
Mine are all out naked and don’t need masks yet. I’m on a very open spot on top of a hill which helps

 

[Carol Singing Dawg]

Nothing bothering our horses or ponies here in NE Scotland yet, luckily we're quite high up and usually have a good breeze to keep the blighters away.

 

[visa_bot]

I moved to the Fens last year and could count on one hand the number of horse flies I saw. I wasn’t sure if it was a fluke but I haven’t seen one yet this year. I’m not sure if it’s the open terrain or the wind but I am so very grateful.

 

[Errin Paddywack]

I must be so lucky! no flies here in my part of Devon! When the sun came out the first time (before the big rainy time) they were covered on their faces and needed fly masks, now, none. Wierd or what?

Very few here too after a bad spell few weeks ago. Hope I haven't jinxed it now.

 

[Barton Bounty]

They have really bothered us today, we actually turned back and put his fly rug on and went back out, had my first horsefly bite too

 

[AutumnDays]

I am jealous of you all! I'm right on the coast and it has been breezy, so I'm a bit surprised at the volume and ferocity of the flies (all kinds). I can empathize BB, I've had a few bites today, and I hate rugging and masking them up, but have thought it the lesser evil compared flies in eyes and bites

 

[Barton Bounty]

I am jealous of you all! I'm right on the coast and it has been breezy, so I'm a bit surprised at the volume and ferocity of the flies (all kinds). I can empathize BB, I've had a few bites today, and I hate rugging and masking them up, but have thought it the lesser evil compared flies in eyes and bites

I have found them particularly ferocious, and in abundance, i mean I love the hot weather but f off flies

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

We now have horse flies that are massive killed 3 today while riding poor Louis had blood dripping down his neck, we also have these small bitey things that seem to be attracted to there ears it drove him mad today so have put fly gel in them tonight and he didn't have any blood in them when I checked a minute ago.

 

[AutumnDays]

We now have horse flies that are massive killed 3 today while riding poor Louis had blood dripping down his neck, we also have these small bitey things that seem to be attracted to there ears it drove him mad today so have put fly gel in them tonight and he didn't have any blood in them when I checked a minute ago.

I've been trying fly gels as well as sprays... The Arabaloosa is quite a diva about fly spray... Mane and tail spray, no bother, coat shine/mud away, no problem. Fly spray? Away with you! Same with the gel. Must be the smell, I've tried a few now and she always has the same reaction. The new lad is stoic, but if he is wearing any, she won't allow him near her for any affection

 

[paddy555]

I must be so lucky! no flies here in my part of Devon! When the sun came out the first time (before the big rainy time) they were covered on their faces and needed fly masks, now, none. Wierd or what?

we gave up our ride this morning as so many horse flies. Less now though, murdered them.

 

[SantaVera]

Horse flies are awful. My black cob is spending the day inside. If I ride it has to be a short half hour at 6 or 7 am to avoid them.

 

[Barton Bounty]

I rode a zebra this afternoon

 

[Rumtytum]

I rode a zebra this afternoon View attachment 115443

I bought one for ‘my’ now- retired rs horse, they work don’t they!

 

[Barton Bounty]

Yeah this ones a ride on, defo works!!

We were getting plagued then went back and put it on.. none , ill download my footage tomo

 

[AutumnDays]

I bought one for the boy today! They didn't have any left in Madam's size though unfortunately

 

[Rumtytum]

The fields will soon be full of zebras

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I've been trying fly gels as well as sprays... The Arabaloosa is quite a diva about fly spray... Mane and tail spray, no bother, coat shine/mud away, no problem. Fly spray? Away with you! Same with the gel. Must be the smell, I've tried a few now and she always has the same reaction. The new lad is stoic, but if he is wearing any, she won't allow him near her for any affection

I only use Barrier H super gel as my other horse is allergic to so much and I know his ok with that, so I'm scared to try other stuff as all his hair falls out but so far I use that with wonder gel and they have been ok.

 

[AutumnDays]

I only use Barrier H super gel as my other horse is allergic to so much and I know his ok with that, so I'm scared to try other stuff as all his hair falls out but so far I use that with wonder gel and they have been ok.

This had been our latest one to try, and it's not working as well as I'd hoped for us

 

[Barton Bounty]

This had been our latest one to try, and it's not working as well as I'd hoped for us

Have you tried hot horse ?

 

[irishdraft]

Haven't seen any flies so far but it's been blowing a north easterly for about a month plus no rain, tomorrow temps shooting up & wind direction is changing so I expect they will explode tomorrow x

 

[AutumnDays]

Have you tried hot horse ?

I did try that last year. I found it quite messy to use, but that could have just been my technique! It was another one Madam had a "don't touch me" attitude with. I may be too soft with her smell aversion, but I think I wouldn't like to have a smell I hate I can't get away from

 

[Barton Bounty]

I did try that last year. I found it quite messy to use, but that could have just been my technique! It was another one Madam had a "don't touch me" attitude with. I may be too soft with her smell aversion, but I think I wouldn't like to have a smell I hate I can't get away from

Its so easy you heat the pouch in a jug of water, fill the bottle you are going to be using with 900mls of hot water then add your pouch. Give it a good shake and its good to go.

 

[little_critter]

Up till now the flies haven’t been too bad. It’s been breezy so I think that’s kept them away.
although the horse flies have appeared now.