Argghh - midgies!!! Has anyone tried fly collars?

[Esther.D]

Went up to the field about 9.30 last night to find all of them getting eaten alive by midges...Rupert's face was black with them and Bobby was sitting (literally!) in a patch of rushes to stop them biting his hindquarters...and the two with sweet-itch were just being driven mad. We put loads of Coopers fly repellent on but they were so thick that it seemed to do little good (we have found it to be the best one in the past). Any ideas? Does anyone know if fly collars are any good and are they safe to leave on in the field/do they stay on anyway or will the ponies pull them straight off? I was wondering whether one would be any good for Rupert as he was having loads of trouble with them on his face and is nervous of fly sprays...I probably wouldn't put them on the shetlands as they would pull each others off I think and a mouthful of fly repellent is probably not very good for them!

It was so bad up there (it was a very warm, still night) that we only stayed 20 min as we too were being driven mad by them:(
I feel so bad for the ponies out there and just want to try and ease things for them:(

[Miriam]

Never tried the fly collers although I have tried several fly masks which Rhi seems to be able to get off :mad: Spent this morning looking for her latest one which just covers her ears and forehead which I was hoping would stop her from scratching her ears and forehead to pieces :rolleyes:

[ros]

Jackie tried a fly collar on Swallow a couple of years ago but it didn't make any more difference than a decent fly spray (i.e. no difference at all :rolleyes: ).

I've not found a fly repellant - even Coopers - that will do what it says it does, and I think the only way to stop midges is something like a Boett rug.

Just as an aside, I went salmon fishing in Scotland on my first honeymoon (MANY years ago now) and I always remember what the old ghillies used to say about midges: "Kill one and a million come to its funeral!"

[Dizzy]

I use a fly mask for Breeze, which has been a great success. It is made by Shires, is black mesh, and covers the main of her face. It has a synthetic sheep skin around the top and bottom, which I give a good spray of repellant, and fastens with velcro under her cheek. I also give her whole face a good rub with repellant.

It does come off on its own now and again, but not often. She's only lost it off twice since April. I've had to take it off today as she has rolled and it was thick with mud - don't ask me how she rolls on her face!!!

She doesn't mind it on at all - I take it off to ride and put repellant on, she stands happily with no head collar on for me to put it back on.

She wore it last year, and I must admit she lost it off more often, though not horrendously - never saw her trying to get it off - don't know whether she knows it relieves her from the flies or she's just more accepting.

[Sarah]

has anyone ever trying cattle fly tags on horses? The farm where we keep the girls is a beef farm and all the cattle have ear tags that seemt o do a good job of keeping the flies away. i was just wondering if they could be used on horses - though obviously not by being punched through the ear, I was thinking of plaiting one into the mane.

Does anyone know if this would work, or whether it is safe?

bye!

[Bebe]

I think I've heard of cow tags being used on horses but have never done it myself.

I make my own flyspray and put in Bog Myrtle, as recommended by the lady that supplies me with my oils (Pauhla Whitaker, she has an advert on this site). It really does work a treat, my horse is usually swishing the least out of the herd and doesn't seem to be bothered by them out hacking either.

Bebe wears a fly fringe during the day. If it's really bad she has a flymask but most of the time she has a fieldsafe fly fringe (the tassle kind). Oddly she keeps these on really well, but takes her grazing muzzle off in a heartbeat!

Horse flies are a different kettle of fish though, they're evil and nothing seems to deter them.

[artemis]

I have used cow tags but not for some years. They were very effective. I used to sew them into the mane & tail. At that time I kept my horse at a dairy farm. Unfortunatly you can only buy them in large quantities. Worth a try if you know a farmer.

[Kerry's Partner]

Well for what it's worth. When Kerry went to her "finishing school" in Devon last year one of the conditions was what I call her
"wedding dress" - and this was the SO caring advice from Sue Carnell who wouldn't risk the potential effects of a possible different midge population on a horse she was going to care for and school. You can't get higher standards than that imo - and Kerry is wearing her "wedding dress right now (back at home)!!!!!!!!!!!

The resident midges btw make a complete mess of me - so I've had to resort to wearing a cap!!!!!!!

Sandra