Fly Repellents

Which fly repellent is suitable for horses?

When horseflies, black flies etc. make life difficult for our horses in the summer, the only thing that often helps is the most effective fly protection possible: In addition to physical fly protection such as fly rugs and fly masks, which cover a large part of the horse's sensitive head, a wide variety of fly repellents with insect-repellent active ingredients are used.
Fly repellent sprays work by forming a protective film that covers the coat and interferes with the insects' sense of smell. Since sprays can be applied quickly (for example, shortly before a ride), they are particularly popular and uncomplicated to use.
In addition to natural active ingredients from essential oils such as neem or citronella oil, the synthetic active ingredient icaridine has proven to be a popular and very effective substance for repelling insects, which is also particularly skin and fabric friendly.
Unfortunately, it is not possible to make a general statement about which product works best for which horse. It depends, among other things, on the individual smell of the horse, the insects in the environment and the horse's perspiration pattern. For horses that sweat quickly and a lot, chemical fly repellents are unfortunately only suitable to a limited extent - in this case, it is better to use a fly rug and a well-fitting fly mask. Ultimately, the way to find a suitable fly repellent is to try out different products.

What should I pay attention to when using fly repellent for horses?

Before using a new fly repellent, you should always read the label and follow the manufacturer's instructions. Then test the fly repellent on a small area first. This is a quick and easy way to see if the horse is allergic to the product. Some horses are sensitive to essential oils. In this case, you can buy fly repellents without essential oils in our online shop.
When using fly sprays, remember that not all horses like to be sprayed. It may be advisable to accustom the horse carefully and gradually or switch to gels. Also, never spray the mucous membranes, so avoid the mouth, eyes, nostrils and genitals.
Remember that if your horse is sweating or it has been raining, the effectiveness of the fly repellent will be lost. Especially after riding in summer temperatures, it is important to shower off the horse, remove sweat and then spray again with fly spray. The effect also wears off after a few hours, usually 6 to 8 hours. The duration of effect varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. If you take your horse to a competition, you should take a critical look at the ingredients of the fly repellent in consideration of the doping list. Some active ingredients might be doping-relevant, which you should check on the label before using the spray.

What alternatives are there for fly sprays?

Not all horses like to be sprayed with fly sprays. Here, alternative fly repellents in gel and cream form are available, which are applied directly to the coat and can also be used "noise-free" in more sensitive areas such as the head and ears. These also have the advantage that they adhere better to the coat and do not evaporate as quickly as fly sprays. The disadvantage, however, is that they are only suitable for very small areas of the body, such as the head or legs, as they do not spread so well over the whole area.
In addition to insect repellent gels, you can also buy anti-fly roll sticks in our shop, which practically apply the fly repellent to the coat without you having to use a sponge or your hands. These are particularly suitable for on the go, for example on a horse trek. For horses in the pasture, insect repellent collars for horses are also an effective and inexpensive alternative to fly sprays. Insect repellent collars are effective for up to five weeks.