Fly Repellents & Summer Products

Fly repellent and insect spray for horses - more important than you think

One must not forget that horses are much more susceptible to insect attacks than we are. They spend much more time outdoors than humans do, especially during summer work when they are often outside around the clock. Therefore, it can be difficult for us, who are not in the same environment and situation, to understand how bad it can be.

We can easily recognize how annoying a small mosquito bite can be, so imagine how troublesome it is for a horse that can't swat insects away in the same way we can and can't scratch itself once bitten. If the horse is unprotected, its attacks most likely consist of more than just mosquito bites, even though mosquitoes are usually not the worst for the horse. Use fly repellent and/or insect spray to make life easier for your horse and give it a comfortable existence.

So, if mosquitoes aren't the worst, who is?
Most people are familiar with the horsefly. It lays its eggs on the horse's front legs and chest, and when the eggs hatch, it causes severe itching, which in turn leads the horse to bite and lick those areas, ingesting the larvae. These larvae then develop into internal parasites, and to get rid of them, you must deworm the horse.

However, midges are considered the worst insects for horses. A swarm of midges can bite the horse to the extent that it affects the horse's blood circulation, which can lead to heart muscle damage, low blood pressure, and ultimately, cardiac arrest.

Horseflies can also be very troublesome. They bite the horse hard and can leave wounds with flowing blood. This is painful and can result in the horse bolting in an attempt to escape the horsefly, which can be dangerous in itself. Aside from that, horseflies can also spread infectious diseases.

In addition to insidious diseases, allergies, watery and irritated eyes, swelling, rashes, infections, and painful bites, all of which can be avoided with the help of insect repellents, it is just as annoying for the horse to have flies buzzing around its face or crawling on its body as it is for us humans. The difference is that flies are more attracted to the horse than to us, partly because of the horse's scent and partly because they lick both the horse's blood and tears. A fly mask or a fly forehead sheet and a fly sheet are therefore excellent additions to your horse's fly protection.

What should you choose for horse fly repellent - fly spray or fly cream?

The answer is actually both for the best results. Fly spray, or insect spray, distributes the product finely and covers a large area with just one spray, making it an economical and effective fly protection. However, one should be cautious with fly repellent and insect repellent around the horse's eyes, mouth, and mucous membranes. Therefore, the combination of fly spray and fly cream is optimal. Unlike spray, fly cream can be applied precisely to a specific, small area without the risk of it drifting away in the air to unwanted places. Fly cream is also long-lasting and won't run, making it easy to apply around the eyes, mouth, and similar areas.

Insect repellent for your horse if it's afraid of spray noises

Many horses find the sound of spray bottles unpleasant. In most cases, this can be trained away, but in the meantime, your horse still needs effective protection against flies, midges, mosquitoes, ticks, horseflies, and other insects. Since fly spray is not an option, except perhaps during training, you can use fly cream or summer cream, which offer the same resistance as a spray. It may be a bit more challenging to use on a large surface than spray, but it keeps your horse protected and comfortable.

Best fly spray for horses

The best remedy for flies and insects for horses can vary. Therefore, you may need to experiment to see what is most effective in your case. Most fly sprays work by masking the horse's scent with a different, sharper odor that insects dislike and, therefore, stay away from - rather than being attracted to. However, the horse's natural body odor and the preferences of insects can influence the results. Nevertheless, the most popular fly repellent comes from Absorbine and is called Ultra Shield fly spray. Another highly regarded insect repellent is Renon's fly spray from Trikem. Also, Effol fly spray is highly appreciated. If you're unsure which fly spray to choose but want the best on the market, we recommend selecting one of these. All of them, besides being fly repellents, are also mosquito repellents and work against midges, horseflies, ticks, horseflies, and other insects.

Natural fly repellent for horses

Remember that the horse's mane, tail, and forelock are its natural fly protection. Therefore, avoid cutting or braiding them, as this will remove the horse's natural way of protecting itself from insects. Instead, keep them loose and in good condition with the help of fur gloss.