Flies can be very irritating to horses, especially in the spring and summer months. For some horses, flies and insects can go beyond simply being irritating. Some horses have a very sensitive reaction to the bite of certain insects which leads to a condition known as sweet itch, where horses who are affected will rub themselves raw. Whether or not your horse has sweet itch, there are several things that you can do to protect your horse from flies during the warmer months and make life more comfortable for them.
Fly Rugs
Fly rugs are thin, lightweight rugs that your horse can wear in the field to protect them from flies. Fly sheets will usually offer full coverage and come with a neck hood to keep the flies away. Fly sheets are probably going to be necessary all summer long if your horse is suffering from sweet itch. Without one, they are sure to get bitten as even a good fly repellent won’t keep this from happening completely. You can find a great range of Fly protection sheets for your horse at Horseware, along with various other fly repellent products.
Fly Masks
While they can look quite comical on a horse, fly masks are great for horses that often tend to get bitten on the face when in the field during the summer. They are designed to fit over your horse’s face and ears, and some even protect the muzzle from flies too, without restricting your horse and still allowing them to graze. You can also get fly masks that are designed for riding, so that you can hack out or school without your horse tossing their head due to being bothered by flies the entire time.
Fly Repellent
A good fly repellent is going to be a must if you have a horse in the spring and summer. Even if your horse doesn’t get particularly bothered by flies, it’s a good idea to get some citronella spray that is safe for use on horses and spray some on them each time you turn them out in the field. The citronella is a natural repellent of flies and will help to prevent your horse from getting bitten.
Anti-Itch Lotions and Gels
If your horse tends to get bitten a lot on the mane and tail areas, then you might have noticed that the hair is getting rubbed off or thinning in these areas due to itching. This can be quite common in horses and doesn’t always indicate sweet itch or a more serious problem. However, it can be annoying for both the horse and yourself, especially if you are planning to go to any shows or competitions over the summer and your horse has rubbed the top of their tail down to barely anything when it used to be thick and flowing. Apply an anti-rubbing gel to prevent dandruff, repel flies, and allow the hair to grow back.
Flies are a given when you have a horse, but the good news is that there are lots of options to protect your horse from flies during the spring and summer.
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