Flyspray!

[elevenelevenxo]

What brand do you use? Do you find the citronella types work better? I'd really love to go with a natural spray for Rebel and stay away from chemicals....but I need something that will work....

[JackieB]

None of it works. Period. End of story. Next question?

[luvs2ride1979]

I have tried a LOT of natural sprays, including home-recipes, and they just don't work for Arkansas bugs...

I only use Pyranha, in the aerosol can:
http://www.valleyvet.com/ct_detail.html?pgguid=38cd468d-af3e-41b2-b483-16c67b07c40f

This Pyranha works decently, better than the normal "wipe & spray"
http://www.valleyvet.com/ct_detail.html?pgguid=2dd939ce-ba4e-4314-bc2b-2d03f738e92b

DuraGuard also work pretty well.
http://www.jeffersequine.com/ssc/product.asp?CID=1&mscssid=7DQXUBERQ36V8JMQTR80TFLKK1VA0PBD&pf_id=0030525

We have bionic flies around here, and these are the only products that have worked more than 5 minutes, lol.

[luvs2ride1979]

None of it works. Period. End of story. Next question?

Very true, it's a losing battle for sure, lol. They get REALLY bad when we trim feet. I use an angle grinder instead of nippers and the flies SWARM when hoof dust goes air born... It's NASTY! lol

[Petra]

I don't use spray, but I'm quite happy with the equine garlic. It doesn't work 100% but it makes a very big difference. I wish I took picture of the horses before. The top of their backs was black colored from the flies sitting there. Now I see maybe 5 or so at a time. And almost no ticks! I still find one once a while, but it's better than 10 a day.

[cloedoll]

I have had success with Absorbine's UltraShield EX (http://www.absorbine.com/products.html?catid=flycontrol&pageid=39) and I believe it's around $15. I'm planning on investing in a fly sheet and boots for Miss Cloe this year though. Fly boots work amazingly so I can just imagine how awesome a fly sheet is. :D

[Annie&Dixie]

I use Pyranha. I love it, it last a long time and has proven to be effective. We don't have too many bug problems here in Ohio but the flies can get bad and at my barn right now, we've got some ticks. I spray Pyranha all over her and we pair that up with dryer sheets wrapped around her halter. I only found one tick on her today!!

[Peggy Sue]

Tri Tech 14

[Gypsy Rose]

Martins's Permethrin spray with about 5 drops tea tree oil to the gallon for pasture. Bronco for riding.

[JetLagaside]

Be Free of Flys :) one of the best I've used and I agree with JackieB
American Livestock carries it at a pretty good price Zonk is another one I like and it's cheap :)

[grandmadeb]

We can use Tri Tech or the Absorbine Ultra Shield, but Tri Tech is our preference. They are the only ones that don't cause huge bumps all over him when applied.

[HeartofSteel]

I like the natural stuff also, I hate how sticky and gunky alot of the fly sprays make there hair.
This is smells AMAZING!! It works well too
http://www.smartpakequine.com/productclass.aspx?productClassid=3461

I have used this one also and it smells pretty good (a little funky) it doesn't work as well as some though.
http://www.smartpakequine.com/productclass.aspx?productClassid=5093

[cowgirlup@idaho]

I used to use Tri-tech 14 and it worked great! Now I use Endure because of the sunscreen and it won't sweat off. Both are great for flying, biting insects.

[GrungeEquestrian]

I have had success with Absorbine's UltraShield EX and I believe it's around $15. I'm planning on investing in a fly sheet and boots for Miss Cloe this year though.

I use that too and the cost and effects you can't really beat. Of course nothing works a hundred perfect but it has really helped my thin skinned mare and she doesn't smell like deadly chemicals. I love it.

[Peggy Sue]

I used to use Tri-tech 14 and it worked great! Now I use Endure because of the sunscreen and it won't sweat off. Both are great for flying, biting insects.


Tri Tech has the sunscreen as well the only differenece in these two is that one Endure is oil based and the other Tri Tech is water based;)

[TheRedHayflinger]

you already know I make my own and you have the recipe..LOL. I find it works great for these huge mouse sized (well..small mouse) horseflies we get...and the fact I can use it on myself is a bonus too since I'm majorly allergic to horsefly bites.

I'm also trying out a new one that is bought...Erin is sending me one in the mail soon...we are curious as to how well it will work. Product testing mainly...lol

[IrisGreen]

We can use Tri Tech or the Absorbine Ultra Shield, but Tri Tech is our preference. They are the only ones that don't cause huge bumps all over him when applied.

I use the Tri Tech 14 too. Sedona recommended it when Muffin was allergic to other chemical sprays I tried. He got bumps too and got all puffy on his chest where I sprayed the other stuff.

I like the Tri Tech. It smells good, not oil based to attract dirt (on a white horse) and it works really well. The sun block in it comes in handy to help the dark red in his chestnut spots from fading out and his muzzle from getting sun burnt.

I won't let anyone spay anything else on him now that I have the Tri Tech. :)

[ImaBronsonBear]

I've tried some natural stuff, and it worked - for about two hours. So far i've had the most success with Endure. It lasts for several days, which is more than most fly sprays i've used can boast.

[BalooEyes]

None of it works. Period. End of story. Next question?

NO! lol. Actually, I've had amazing luck with this: http://www.acehardwaresuperstore.com/gordons-horse--pony-spray-32-oz-rtu-p-58224.html?ref=42

Its the only stuff I've tried (I've tried a lot) and it really WORKS. However it is in no way chemical free, so if you're worried about chemicals and want an all-natural spray, its not for you.
I've sprayed Baloo (who is very sensitive to bugs) and taken him out for 4+ hours and he hasn't hardly flicked his tail at a fly.

[42many]

I mix some stuff (including RepelX or whatever fly spray "extra" I've got around) with the Avon skin-so-soft. It works well and smells better than any fly spray I've ever used :)

[sugarsgirl]

PM luv2show, she has a really good homemade recipe that works really well.

[FlapJack]

We make our own. It's not perfect but every bit helps...
2 cps white vinegar
1 cp water
1 cp Avon Skin So Soft
1 tbs eucalyptus oil

[HorseLoverOf3]

I use fly drops, i cant remember the name cuz we dont need them out here yet lol. but they work great! :]

look on vallyvetsupply or your local feed store.

[Lynn_70]

My trainer uses Dawn dishsoap mixed 1:3 with water. Swears by it...

[Gem's Mom]

I've tried a lot of different kinds (I worked at a feed store and had the luxury of the discount to try the expensive stuff too). The stuff that worked the best for me last year was mosquito halt. It smells terrible, really really bad. But it really worked! To test it on trail rides we'd spray one horse with mosquito halt and the other with something else (bronco, tri tech, wipe, etc, whatever else I still had around) and it always worked better.

I dont' tend to leave spray on them in the pastures though. I'll put a fly mask on and spray when they go out but I don't visit them daily just to reapply fly spray. I think their tails do a fine job and it makes them appreciate the fly spray when we ride even more. I've seen people spray the heck out of their horses 24/7 and when the horse is "unprotected" it just freaks out over the flies (could have been a personal issue of the horse though).

Anywho, mosquito halt is my choice for store bought stuff. I did pm red for her recipe and can't wait to give it a go.

[SedonaThunder]

I also use the Tri Tech 14... I have chemical sensitivity issues and not only does this stuff work great but it allows me to be around my horses after it's applied. (I tries Mosquito Halt and couldn't get near my horses for hours afterward - nasty stuff!)

[Peggy Sue]

ST when you are fly spray shopping look for water based ones I have the same issue and that is what I have figured out the oil base ones send my allergies haywire

[SedonaThunder]

ST when you are fly spray shopping look for water based ones I have the same issue and that is what I have figured out the oil base ones send my allergies haywire
Thanks for the tip PS! It is some what of a nightmare to be sensitive to so many smells - especially the nice ones.:mad: The girls in my office can't wear perfume and I can't be in friends houses if they are burning candles. Interesting what you say about the oil stuff - people are always trying to tell me "oh you will be OK with this because it is an essential oil candle/perfume/air freshener so it's natural"... I still end up with a sore throat and head ache - and if I stick around long enough a sinus infection the next day.:doh:

[offgridgirl]

We can use Tri Tech or the Absorbine Ultra Shield, but Tri Tech is our preference. They are the only ones that don't cause huge bumps all over him when applied.
I alternate between these two. Depending on which is on sale. Both work for a while and stay on after a rain shower.

We have the little nasty no-seem-ems and ticks here and that just terrorize my boy:(!! I use the Equi-spot for these!

I find washing the sweat off with a hose helps or if I don't have time, I take a towel and cool water and wipe eyes,ears,nose and between legs (front and back) and then reapply bug juice. It's definitely a losing battle but some kind of protection is better than nothing:cool:

[Peggy Sue]

speaking of I think it is time to get the flymask out... my bugs were terrible today and poor Moosa Man has an owie in his ear :(

[Appaloosalover]

Well we have tried SOOooo many different types at the barn where I work. And really nothing works. I really like the Pure Cedar oil. Its free of chemicals and its all natural..I don't think it repels flys like amazingly well but it does an ok job. its really good for your horse's skin and coat...it makes them silky smooth!!!!! LINK: http://www.cedarcidestore.citymax.com/PERSONALPESTPROTECTION.html. I get the gallon and it last a long time. I use it for my dogs to repel fleas and ticks! that works!