Yukky ears from flies

[Leary]

I just don't know what to do with my mare. Her ears are soooo sore from fly bites. I've had her for 11 months and I think, along with my friends and instructor, that she's been beaten up in the past because she is very very nervous of brooms, buckets, even her salt lick. Anyway, I can't get near her with a fly mask, in fact I don't want to try any more because she absolutely freaks. I tried a fly fringe with just the ears but she was having none of that either. I can't even get near her ears to clean them or put cream in them. This may be a vet job but any suggestions would be appreciated because she must be in alot of discomfort.

By the way, she isn't really headshy, I can rub and brush her face, and have no problems putting her bridle on, its just her ears.

 

[Bossanova]

Have you tried twitching her?
My mare is sensitive about her ears but I can do anything to them when twitched.

 

[YorksG]

We are currently feeding marmite sandwiches and they are making a huge difference. The old lady was the itchiest she has ever been (she is now 27!) she is now fine. (mind you I am nos making bread in the bread maker just for the horses! I do wonder about myself sometimes, but you can guarentee no additives.)

 

[Tia]

Do you have SWAT over there? Fantastic stuff!! I use it all the time over here as we have these nasty little Black Flies who adore horses ears. SWAT not only stops them from going in their ears, but also kills the little blighters.

If you don't have SWAT, then try to find Summer Fly Strike Cream; it's bright yellow and you can buy it from Scats and other horsey places. Again, it is great stuff, just doesn't last as long as SWAT as it is thinner.

Once you manage to get it in their ears for the first time, they really do seem to know you are helping, and become much less fussy about you going around their ears. I'd twitch her just to get the first lot of cream in.