Why Do We Use Fly Spray On Horses?

Fly spray is used to keep flies from landing on your horse, especially during the warm summer months where flies seem to run rampant. Fly spray is especially important for days when you are riding your horse as flies can become a distraction and nuisance to both horse and rider.

How effective is fly spray for horses?

We found that fly protectants reduced fly annoyance behaviors in horses. Compared to no fly protectant: Citronella spray reduced tail swishes and shoulder twitches. Leggings and leg bands reduced head-backs and hoof stomps.

How often should you use fly spray on horses?

The recommended amount of fly spray is 1–2 oz per horse per day, depending on the spray you are using.

Why do flies bother horses so much?

Flies are attracted to horses’ eyes for the moisture and protein. Fly activity may contribute to eye infections in horses, as well as, being an irritant. Generally, roll-ons are specifically formulated for use around your horse’s face and will repel flies.

What is the best way to keep flies off of horses?

6 Tips to Create a No-Fly Zone Around Your Horse

1. Use a Quality Feed-Through.
2. Add Outer Fly Protection for Horses.
3. Repel with a Horse Fly Spray.
4. Set Out Fly Traps and Fans.
5. Use Biological Fly Control.
6. Reduce Standing Water and Keep Your Horse’s Area Clean.

Where do you put fly spray on a horse?

Apply the product everywhere—especially down the legs and under the belly where flies congregate. Use a lotion of roll-on product on the face and ears, or spray the product onto a rag and gently wipe those areas. Re-spray if the horse becomes soaked.

How do you protect horses from horse flies?

Fly sheets, cool, open-weave, light-weight, mesh blankets can be quite useful at keeping pestering flies off a horse’s body. Fly boots are also available to protect a horse’s legs. Bait and trap adult flies. Several types of simple insect traps can be useful for reducing the flying insect population.

How does fly spray work?

Synthetic pyrethroids, such as esbiothrin and tetramethrin, or natural pyrethrin, which is made from a species of the chrysanthemum plant, are the main active ingredient in fly sprays. These “knock down” agents interfere with a fly’s nervous system, causing paralysis.

Can you use Dettol as fly spray on horses?

5 caps of Dettol. 1 teaspoon each of lavender, tea tree, citronella, cedar wood and eucalyptus. Top up to one litre with either water or cold tea. Spray twice a day and keep shaking regularly to keep the oils mixed.

What is horse fly spray made of?

Chemicals aren’t bad per se, but keeping your horse covered in synthetic compounds all summer long might not be the best practice. Most commercial fly repellents formulated for horses use the active ingredient pyrethrin.

Is fly spray harmful to humans?

Most household bug sprays contain plant-derived chemicals called pyrethrins. These chemicals were originally isolated from chrysanthemum flowers and are generally not harmful. However, they can cause life-threatening breathing problems if they are breathed in.

How do you train a horse for fly spray?

Acclimatize the horse to the noise. Fill the sprayer with water and stand outside your horse’s stall while he eats. Spray at regular intervals, pointing away from the horse, until he ignores the noise in favor of food. Then repeat the process inside the stall, again without actually spraying the horse.

Do flies hurt horses eyes?

Flies of different types love to bother horse eyes, and their presence commonly causes eye irritation. Flies can also transmit certain bacterial and parasitic diseases to the eyes of horses.

Why do horse flies bite horses?

Horseflies are large flies that usually bite cows and horses but can also bite humans. They have a very painful bite, as their mouthpieces cut into the skin. Only the females bite, and they do this to obtain blood to help develop their fertilized eggs.

Can flies damage horses eyes?

Flies may also be responsible for transmitting BPV which can cause sarcoids! Corneal ulcers can also develop if the horse rubs or scratches the eyes on either its legs or another surface.

Does feeding garlic to horses help with flies?

Did you know garlic is one of the most common herbal supplements used in the equine industry? It’s been used for centuries for its many health benefits and as a natural repellant to keep flies away from horses.

What are horse flies scared of?

An accidental but long-standing remedy that horse flies seem to hate is Avon’s Skin-So-Soft bath oil. Vinegar — white or apple cider — is another. Each is safe for animals or people; just pour in spray bottles and apply.

Can I spray vinegar on my horse?

Spray liberally on your horse. 3. Hoof and Fungus Issues: Thrush and other foot fungus infections can be greatly reduced by a regular spray or soak application of apple cider vinegar to the sole and frog of a horse’s feet. By making the hoof area more acidic, fungus is no longer able to grow well there.

How do you keep horse flies away naturally?

To keep horseflies away from your property, you can grow some strong-smelling plants like basil, rosemary, bay, lemon balm, catnip, citronella, lavender, and tansy. These plants work well at keeping flies and other pesky insects away from your house and garden.

What months are horse flies active?

Deer flies and horse flies can be active from May until September. The adult females are daytime blood feeders that are most abundant near swamps and marshes, along pond and stream banks, and at the edge of wooded areas. Adults are extremely strong fliers that are attracted to dark moving objects and to carbon dioxide.

What happens when a horse fly bites you?

A horsefly bite mainly causes pain, redness, and minor swelling of the affected area. These bites should go away on their own over a few hours or days. You may also experience other symptoms, like: A red, raised rash (hives)