• Shoo Fly don’t bother my Horse.

  • Horse Fly photo by Jim Kalisch, University of Nebraska

    It’s that time of year.  The weather is getting cooler for trail riding.  So, guess who arrives late summer, the Horse Fly?  Now, he is that big guy, one of the world’s largest flies and with 350 species of fly in the North Americas we have to be specific.

    We know this pest as she, yes the female, bites with a bayonet-like mouth piercing the skin for a blood meal.  And, it may take her many bites to get a full meal.  She will do this during the day and prefers sunny areas.  That meets the  description of most fields and riding areas that are habitat of our horses.

    The Horse Fly prefers moist wet areas for breeding. It is here that the female Horse Fly lays her eggs in the spring where the larvae thrive in wet vegetation, pupate in spring, then hatches.

    I posed a question to a group I am in on Linked In.  I got a great response from fellow trail riders around the country about products and ideas for warding off these big bombers that attack our horses.  I am  listing  their opinions, some are creative, to   “Shoo fly don’t bother my horse”.

    • 2 parts Equicare Flysect Super-C and 1 part Skin so Soft from Avon.
    • Bounce dryer sheets, tied in strips around saddle and bridle.
    • War Paint Insecticide Past, but keep it away from the face.
    • Antiseptic Mouth Wash but keep it away from under the saddle as irritating
    • 98%DEET which can be purchased from www.harveysenvironmental.com
    • Endure roll on and spray
    • Fly whisk, dressage whips and Carrot Sticks.
    • Pyranha or a less expensive solution is 16% Skin so Soft mixture with alcohol and 1/2oz. permethrin.
    • good heavy branch
    • Neem oil (about a tablespoon)  It must be high quality cold press and is available through www.neemtreefarms.com
    • ear nets wet down with fly spray which is particularly helpful to gray horses who are so susceptible

    It would be unfair to my company if we did not add our  Croup Cover™ to the list. Its economical, made in the USA and works.  You may order on line http://horseflynet.com.

    Croup Cover™ by Horse Fly Net®