Sooo it is nearing the end of spring and the beginning of summer and I am already fighting the bug battle. My horses have reluctantly given in to wearing their fly masks. All except for the mini, who is the most flexible equine I have ever seen. He can get ANYTHING off of his face. Although I am loving the warm temperatures and sunshine, I am already beginning to get grumpy about the bugs. I keep my fields picked up, fly masks on (all that will keep them on), and I use a mix of chemical and natural fly sprays. I worry the chemicals are bad, but the natural ones just doesn’t seem as effective. Still the bugs tend to eat up my horses, so all of them get a good coat of SWAT on their bellies and sensitive parts. While I was SWATting everyone up yesterday, I was thinking about ways I could help with the horrible bugs. This year so far the gnats have been the worst for us. I had good luck briefly with the “Spot On” stuff. It is the kind of like Front-line for horses. Then one of my horses started to have an allergic skin reaction so I discontinued use of it.
I decided that this would be be an excellent topic to post to get some of your help out there. I’m sure each one of you is doing what you can to control the flies and bugs. What kinds of fly method controls do you use? I have thought about using the fly predators? Is anyone using them and do they work? What do you think are the best fly sprays? Best Fly Masks? What works for field horses and stabled horses? Anyone using the feed through methods?
My mini and his fly mask. Possibly purple is not his color? The flopped ears add to the effect. He has tiny ears...hmmm...maybe that is why I can't keep a mask on him!
OMG! Gus is so cute
I use the fly predators which really help and for fly spray I use half chemical and half Avon (bath oil). All of that works so well for me I don’t even have to use fly masks. I think the fly predators are the biggest help.