How to Protect Your Horse from Flies How to Protect Your Horse from Flies
You can help your horse avoid the annoying effects of flies by using a combination of these items of horse clothing and topical treatments like horse fly repellent. For effective methods of reducing the fly population on your farm, refer to
How to Control Flies on the Farm.
Fly sheets have an open weave mesh to keep bugs off a horse's body. Some models of fly sheet are coated with horse fly repellent for added protection.
Fly masks, sometimes called fly bonnets, are made of see-through mesh. They keep flies, which can be attracted to eye secretions, from landing in horses' eyes and causing infections. Fly masks come in a variety of styles, including those that cover the ears and that extend to the end of the nose. Some fly mask models are designed of very fine, lightweight mesh for use over bridles during riding, and others are made of sturdier mesh to stand up to the rigors of turnout and horseplay.
Ear nets, sometimes called fly hoods or fly bonnets, are a tool that some riders use to keep flies and other bugs from bothering a horse's ears during riding. Ear nets are usually made of crocheted yarn or a combination of crocheted yarn and fabric. They are designed to be worn over a horse's ears with a flap that goes under the browband. Fringe along the edges helps deter insects from bothering a horse's eyes.
Note: If you intend to compete with your horse wearing an ear net, be sure to check the rules and regulations regarding your classes. The use of ear nets may be prohibited except during warm-up and schooling.
Fly wraps are mesh leg coverings designed to keep flies off a horse's legs and may help reduce stomping.
Fly Collar, which is covered with horse fly repellent to ward off flies, mosquitoes and gnats from the horse's head and neck.
Fly Sprays, fly wipes and fly roll-ons are available in many all-natural and synthetic formulas that not only repel flies but gnats, mosquitoes, ticks and other insects as well. Active ingredients in horse fly repellent may include organic pyrethrin derived from the chrysanthemum plant or oils and essences that are naturally repellent to insects, such as cedar, citronella or peppermint. Or they may include synthetically derived permethrin, a strong deterrent to ticks, in an inert base. Horse fly repellents are designed to prevent insects from landing on your horse, but they do not kill them. Insecticides actually kill the bugs that come in contact with them. Some fly products combine the effects of both repellents and insecticides.
Dover Saddlery product advisors recommend that you test any new batch of fly spray on your horse prior to a full application to check for allergic reaction. For optimal performance, be sure to follow manufacturer's guidelines for any horse fly repellent, and apply it to a clean horse as directed on the label. Also, check the application rate recommended by the manufacturer. Some are designed to be sweat resistant and can be applied less frequently. Apply horse fly repellent or insecticide to your horse's face carefully by wiping it on or using a targeted product such as a roll-on to avoid his eyes.
Sweat, urine and manure stains make horses more attractive to flies. Be sure your horse is clean before applying your fly product to achieve the best results. Also, you should rotate between the types of fly sprays you use because over time, flies can become accustomed to the scent of a spray, making it less effective. However, bathing your horse between applications of different types of fly sprays is wise to prevent reaction between the active ingredients.
Note: When you're spraying fly repellents and insecticides on your horse, remember that the over-spray may kill any fly predators in the immediate area.
Spot On Treatments such as Farnam Equispot and Freedom 45 Spot On Fly Control are also available for use to control and kill flies and other insects that bother horses and carry disease. These treatments are applied less frequently than other topical treatments, so you should be sure to follow manufacturer's instructions for application.
Swat is a thick cream that is mixed with a natural horse fly repellent. It is designed to be used near open wounds and sensitive areas such as the belly line to ward of infection-causing flies.
Tips for Fighting Flies 
Tips for Fighting Flies Flies and insects can cause quite a bit of irritation to your horse around the stable, in the paddock and while being ridden. Use these tips for fighting flies to decrease the pests at your barn. - Capture adult flies with
assorted traps - Repel or kill flies with
sprays and
topical treatments - Shield horses with
fly masks and
fly sheets - Clear your property and stable of debris where flies lay eggs - Enhance your habitat for beneficial birds and bats which eat flies and other insects
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Shop with 100% confidence at Dover Saddlery. If something doesn’t fit you or your horse, return your original purchase within a year, and we’ll make it right with a refund, exchange or replacement.
Our experience as riders and horse owners ourselves is that in most situations a year’s time is fair enough to evaluate proper fit and function. PLUS: For manufacturer’s defects, we’ll extend the manufacturer’s warranty to a maximum of 24 months, regardless of their individual policies. (AND: Manufacturer warranties longer than 24 months will be honored and supported by us as well up to the length of those warranties).
Exceptions: Safety items such as helmets and protective vests may only be returned within 30 days, with their original tags intact. Saddles and riding boots may be returned within the one year period, but are subject to a prorated refund based on usage. Used saddles may be returned for 30 days only. For everyone’s protection, treats and vet meds which have been opened are not returnable, and returned blankets must clean and free of debris.
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To protect all customers and ensure that every return or exchange is handled fairly, we may require a receipt or decline a return in these situations:
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• On rare occasions, based on the nature of prior transactions.
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