Fly Control for Your Horse

Good Bugs vs. Bad Bugs: You can also deploy an army of friendly insects to help battle flies on the property where your horse lives. Tiny little insects known as fly parasites are sold under a variety of brand names. These beneficial bugs lay their eggs inside fly pupae and kill the developing flies before they emerge. Simply release your fly parasites around the manure pile and other places where flies are likely to breed and let them go to work! You’ll need to release more throughout the season to keep ahead of the flies.

Fly Control for Your Horse

The flies that pester your pony cause plenty of tail swishing, foot-stomping and head-shaking. Here are some things you can do to avoid these annoyances and create a no-fly zone around your horse.

Fly Repellent: Fly spray is easy to apply and offers instant protection for your horse. There are many formulas to choose from that repel and even kill flies that dare come near your horse.

Fly repellent is a great way to knock down flies before a ride or turning your horse out. Read the label directions to see how much to use and how often to re-apply. Photo by Elizabeth Moyer

Read the label to see which insects and fly species the product targets, and if it includes the ones you are dealing with. House flies and biting stable flies are the most common winged pests bugging horses. Mosquitoes and ticks are also a concern because of the diseases they can spread. Depending on the season and where you live, there may be other types of gnats and flies around as well.

Fly spray works best on a clean coat, so brush off any mud, dust and loose hair first. Also, be sure you are applying enough fly spray! Read the directions for the recommended amount. In general, it should be enough to dampen (but not soak) your horse’s coat.

Use a cloth to apply to the face and be careful to avoid the area above the eyes, where it could drip down. Roll-ons, wipes and lotion formulas work great for ears, faces and sensitive areas. Ointments can be slathered on wounds or around tender skin.

Long lasting, sweat- and water-resistant fly sprays are good for horses out on pasture where it is difficult to reapply often, or for horses working up a sweat. Other fly sprays have bonus ingredients for shine and coat conditioning. For a gentler approach, you may like a natural formula with essential oils. When using a new fly spray for the first time, test it on a small area to make sure it doesn’t irritate your horse’s skin.