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Gigi stands under the overhead fan and out of the sun
A big problem for horses in the summer time is flies, and managing these pesky insects becomes a major concern for horse owners.
Fly Predators™
This year I ordered a summer’s worth of Fly Predators™ from Spalding Laboratories, and already after one month I can tell a huge difference. I have no flies at all in the stalls and hardly any outdoors. For $129.15 you can buy enough for five horses through the whole summer. When you consider how much you’ll be spending otherwise on fly spray, it’s a good investment!
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Kinley sporting a stylish fly mask!Fly Covers
A fly mask can protect your horse from flies around his eyes, as long as it doesn’t irritate so he rubs his face against his leg. The danger is that he'll scrape the cornea of his eye and get ulcerations. I’ve had this happen three times to one of my horses. Instead I keep his forelock extremely long as fly protection!
Fly boots are a good idea to stop your horse from stomping his feet at the flies, which is a big reason for loss of shoes in summer.
A fly sheet will protect sensitive horses, but choose one with surcingles instead of a belly flap. That wide mesh expanse covering the stomach traps the flies inside, where they buzz around and drive the horse crazy!
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Fly leg wraps stop stomping hooves
Flies love moist manure, but only lay their eggs in the top six inches.
If you keep your manure piled high and covering little area, it will be less inviting to wannabe fly moms.
When manure dries out, the flies aren’t interested in it any more, so spread out any droppings in the paddock on days when you’re not picking it up, and it will dry faster.
Flies actually take periods of rest, and use weeds to slumber in. By eliminating the weeds in your paddocks and barn area, you’re deterring flies and forcing them to nap in someone else’s space.
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When riding use as fly swat (left) and a fly fringe (right) under the bridle
When you go on trail rides, take a fly switch with you (see right). The end is made of horse tail, and it makes a great fly swat. When flies bother your horse you'll find he soon gets used to you taking swipes at them with what is basically an extension of his own tail.
Put a fly fringe (see far right) under the bridle for additional protection around your horse's ears and eyes. Secure the chin rope by winding it round the throat latch, so it doesn't come off when your horse shakes his head.
With a little effort we can greatly reduce our horses' distress during the summer months and keep them cool and comfortable.
This in turn will make them more pleasant to ride - as well as proving we're the conscientious horse owners we want to be.
As the English saying goes: "Show me your horse and I will tell you who you are."
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