Flies are a general nuisance, but for some horses their bites can lead to reactions and persistent itching and discomfort, so using the best fly control is an absolute lifesaver in the summer months.

It is highly effective and normally long lasting, which can help with the need for constant reapplication and with a wide range of flying insects across the country, from midges to horse flies, protecting your horse can become challenging.

Here in the UK, both biting flies and non-biting flies bother our horses. Some horses can react dramatically to flies, resulting in distress and behavioural issues; especially during the summer season, when flies are at their worst.

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The distinct types of flies

Biting flies:

  • Horse flies – feed on blood and can bite humans, too!
  • Midges – saliva from their bite can cause a skin allergy called ‘sweet itch.’
  • Stable flies – are attracted to dirty bedding and droppings; they target a horse’s mucus membranes, sweat, and open wounds.
  • Black flies – usually attack a horse’s ears and the underside of their body.

Non-biting flies:

  • Bot flies – buzz around a horse and lay yellow eggs on their legs (which can cause a parasite problem if ingested).
  • House flies – irritate a horse’s face and nostrils, especially in late summer.
  • Face flies – feed on tears and mucus, so can often be seen hovering around a horse’s eyes.

Many flies only emerge during the summer months (especially during heatwaves). Common ‘seasonal flies’ include horse flies, bot flies, house flies, stable flies, and face flies. However, midges and black flies are active throughout spring, summer, and autumn months.

How to protect against horse flies

A brilliant way to keep horse flies at bay is to stable your horse during the day.

Horse flies are out during daytime hours because they like bright light. So, keeping your horse stabled during the day can be extremely effective in the fight against horse flies!

If your horse has to stay in the field during the day, using strong fly sprays and a fly rug with sweet-itch friendly material should help them cope with horse flies.

Additionally, your horse should have unlimited access to a cool shelter (free from droppings) while in the field, to allow them to escape the heat of the day.

Managing sweet itch from midges

Signs of sweet itch in horses:

  • Scratching their skin until it is sore and inflamed.
  • Aggressively biting their skin.
  • Hair loss and lumpy or scaly skin.
  • Loss of mane due to near-constant scratching, including on stable door frames, fences, and trees
  • Damage to the top of their tail from scratching it against stable walls.
  • Restlessness or distress when midges are around.

A vet might prescribe anti-inflammatory medicine if your horse is suffering from severe sweet itch, for example.

Here are a few ideas for helping your horse cope with sweet itch:

  • Use fly sprays and fly repelling creams, gels, or lotions that are suitable for sensitive skin for your horse.
  • Bathe your horse using soothing shampoo that contains built-in fly repellent.
  • Choose fly masks offering protection to your horse’s eyes, ears, and nose.
  • Select fly rugs specifically designed for horses with sweet itch.
  • Keeping their skin always covered, even while stabled (if your horse does not find this comfortable, e.g. in hot weather, you may need to speak to a vet to find an alternative to leaving their sweet itch rug on in the stable). 
  • Grooming your horse every day to check their skin for signs of damage, in case it needs soothing or anti-inflammatory treatment.

Bot flies

You can battle bot flies by using fly sprays and fly rugs. However, your secret weapon for battling these flies is the bot knife, this is a tool which can help scrape off bot eggs of your horse’s skin. This can prevent ingestion.

Tactics for fighting flies.

In the war against all other flies, there are steps you can take to minimise their impact on the happiness of your horse:

  • Keep stables, fields, shelters, paddocks, pens, and arenas free from droppings – flies dine on droppings and will gather if droppings are left. 
  • Build muck heaps away from stables and fields.
  • Ensure your horse’s water supplies are changed every day, since flies love hanging around stagnant (old, still) water.
  • Cover open wounds to prevent flies from spreading infections.

How can I help my horse?

Selecting the right fly spray for your horse is vitally important, due to many horses becoming sensitive to certain ingredients.

If your horse dislikes the smell, sensation, or sounds of fly spray, there is a vast selection of alternative products to choose from, including:

  • Fly repellent gel.
  • Fly repellent cream.
  • Fly repellent lotion.
  • Fly repellent wipes. 

Fly masks

Whether you prefer fly masks or fly fringes, there is an amazing amount of choice now, including fly fringes for head collar and bridles and fly masks with ear and nose protection.

Fly rugs

Fly rugs are also known as ‘fly sheets. Many diverse types of material are used to make fly rugs and fly sheets, though they should always be lightweight and breathable.

You can find a fly rug for every situation, for example sweet itch rugs, standard neck fly sheets and combo fly rugs.

Should you have any concerns about fighting flies for your horse, speak to a vet or SQP

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