fly repellants

[dani]

My pony is often bothered by Flies when she is turned out and also when hacking. The problem is she's allergic to fly sprays and whenever i put fly spray on a test area the hair in that area falls out. I am currently feeding her garlic but do not know if this will be enough as she is turned out all night and most of the day. Does anyone know of anything else i could do?

[Showjumper]

I was going to say garlic, but as you're already doing that, suggesting it would be a pointless waste of time.

How about a fly fringe over her bridle when you're riding her, and on her headcollar when she's turned out, or in her stables if the ickle beasties attack her on home turf.

[Wally]

Vinegar is good. There is a new thing going about that I've head good things from, It's called Beezlebug, it is made from the sap of an African tree which produces all sorts of compounds to protect it's self from insect attack. Nothing synthetic in it, but you can always try it.

[floppy]

yup vinegar is good i use that!

[dani]

If i were to use vinegar as a Fly repellant would i have to dilute it in water or just use it as it is?

[horselover]

There are alot of recipes for natural fly repellants. I have used a couple. Last summer, we(at the barn where I worked) had a very allergic Arab who broke out from any fly spray- even some of the naturals. I started using Avon Skin So Soft- just putting it on my hands and rubbing it on her body. Worked well at keeping the flies away and she didn't break out. I made sure, though, to give her a bath once or twice a week to remove buildup. Otherwise,, the buildup could cause breakouts.

Check out the recipes I listed on this thread (http://www.newrider.com/forum/showthread.php?threadid=5474&highlight=skin+so+soft) - there are quite a few of them and a website, too.

[ally]

Hi dani,
I don't know if you have ever tried a product called Flygard 48.
Its made with natural ingredients and is supposed to promote a healthy coat.
We use it on the ponies on our yard as we have some evil flies, that bite like hell, and it works a treat !!
Most tack shops sell it or can order it in for you, it comes in small bottles with a spray top , or you can buy it like we do in 5 litre containers.
Well I hope this helps

Ally :D :D :D

[LindaAd]

I've read about that Beelzebug stuff, Wally and wondered if it was any good. They also make something called Bugwash, that's supposed to make the horse less attractive to flies .... Good names, anyway!

[StevieLake]

Avon Skin-so-Soft. Works for us! :)

[floppy]

hi dani, i believe that the vinegar is pure but i will ask my fried tonight when we go riding because the owner of my horse supplies the fly sprays.

[Spydgal]

Dani
What about a safety headcollar with the fly repellant put all over it on the outside where it doesnt directly touch her skin?
I realise we could all recommend the fly repellents we have been successful with but I just wanted to say we got some COOPERS REPELLANT donated to the rescue centre. Its about £27 a bottle which we would never have paid to `try one out' but its brilliant stuff and you dont need to use much - therefore, was thinking, it may be useful for just on the headcollar?

[floppy]

on another note, when i hack out with my hrose i know know which parts of the hack are going to be infested with flies so i always take a fly thing to put over my horses ears and face.
Most of the time i put the veil on before we leave the yard and as soon as we have passed the flies zone i lean forward undo the straps and take it off.
i have noticed though when you ride with a fly veil on the horse doesnt freak out so much as if you rode with outone...because then the hrose is constatnyl tossing its head because of all the flies around his eyes and head.

[Alwin van Egmond]

One home-made brew that works quiet well is the following:

- 50 % vinegar
- 50 % tea (any kind will do, even green tea for the grey's)
- citronella oil

Spray on, keeps away flies and musquito's for a few hours. Even use it on myself.

Success
Alwin

[katyptaty]

Hi

i have bought Beelzebug. it certainly is very gloopy and is to create a layer on the skin so that the flies cannot bite. My horse is grey/white and unfortuantely looked bay after a day of it being on..... quite greasy. i have therefore stopped using it for the body as he doesn't have a real problem with flies it's just me being over protective - and just put it on the top of his tail where i KNOW they bite.

This is not putting Beelzebug down at all and i hear that it works very well elsewhere. i would say that it is more of an extreme measure and for those whose horses really are very bothered by flies and who don't mind washing their horse every other day.

it doesn't look greasy on chestnuts and bays etc.

If i had the time to think about it i would definately make one of the home remedies. Citronella is the best thing to add but am going to try the last recipe with vinegar and tea. I suppose he's going to turn into a bay again though overnight with the tea stains! ah well..... shouldn't have got a grey!

[Alwin van Egmond]

Hi Katyptaty

The recipe with tea, vinegar and citronella can make your grey a bit yellowish if you use ordinary black tea. But i have heard from other grey owners that using green tea works just as well and leaves your grey also grey.

Good luck
Alwin

[katyptaty]

thanks Alwin, I shall give it a go. It would be nice for him to be grey occasionally as he does tend to be attracted to the dirtiest parts of the field and the stable!

[ANDY]

Hi Katty Patty

I have a grey Arabian which has similar problems with flies, I was told to try a mixture of equal parts of citronella oil and parrifin oil,
this worked ok but I haave since been told to try using baby oil instead of Parrifin as it is non toxic .
Only problem with this mixture as has been said already it is a bit tacky on the coat and tends to collect dirt.

You can use it from a spray bottle but be careful spraying around the face . I spray onto a piece of cloth and then wipe around the face.:cool:

[Bebe]

I've used the following all summer with no problems, may work:

equal parts apple cider vinegar, baby oil (may want to cut back on this as too much can make the coat greasy), alcohol free mouthwash. Add as many drops as you want (I used 10 drops per litre of liquid) of eucalyptus oil (peppermint oil or olbas oil works in a pinch), citronella (again, I've substituted lemon in a pinch), lavendar and/or tea trea. You could leave out the lavendar and tea tree of you wanted to.

Alternatively, the same mix but substitute tea for the mouthwash works quite well.

My mare also gets turned out in a flymask during the worst of the fly season, seems to help keep her more comfortable (and stopped her getting conjunctivitis too).

If all that fails, you could resort to a flysheet.

Hope you find something that suits.
Amanda

[~alison~*]

what about just putting a fly sheet on with a neck cover and fly mask when your horse is turned out. I know Rambo makes a good one. there are also fly leg wraps. as far as when you're riding....there are riding fly sheets that cover the horses back and rump. not too much coverage....but it helps a little. good luck