Protect horses from flies and horseflies

Annoying pests

• Both simple flies and the bigger horseflies, also known as blind cuckoo, are for Horses are very uncomfortable because they can get small, very light insects on their skin despite their fur sense. You have a lot of touch receptors under your skin that can perceive even the smallest changes in pressure and touch.
• Flies plague our mounts especially in the area of ​​the eyes, where they soak up the tear fluid and often leave pathogens behind. The result is constantly watery and inflamed eyes.
• The larger horseflies suck blood, it is always the female representatives, because they need the blood to form and lay their eggs. You will be attracted to the horses odor, which intensifies when they start to sweat while working or due to heat. These pests are hard to drive away, they are very penetrative. The bites of the horseflies are visible as large wheals, which are clearly visible at a diameter of approx. 3 cm in height. They itch and can become inflamed, especially if they are found in areas that have natural friction are exposed, such as between the legs, on the belt or saddle position, in the ganette area.
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• Horses try to get rid of these nuisances by shaking and hitting their tail frequently. Sometimes they kick themselves under the stomach or try to drive a brake off the neck or ganache with the tip of a hind hoof.
• At the ride Troubled four-legged friends can no longer concentrate properly on the rider, lessons fail on how For example, a closed, calm stance, and riding becomes a battle against the stabbing and sucking ones Pests.


Make your own insect repellent for your horse

When horses sweat in summer, they particularly suffer from fly infestation and ...

Remedy against flying and braking

You cannot completely protect your horse from the pests, but you can take certain precautionary measures and help your horse to become unattractive to the insects.

• Masks for horses that you pull over their heads and close with Velcro fasteners have proven to be very good. These masks consist of a very finely woven mesh that is transparent to the animals. So you can still see their surroundings clearly, but the small flies cannot slip through the small meshes, eyes and ears are protected accordingly. However, this protection is usually only possible when you are not riding the horse. You can try to pull the mask over the bridle, but this is not recommended as it does not seal tightly and insects may get under the mask. While riding, however, you can use a fringed headband which will scare away most insects with the moving fringes. Many of these headbands are available in combination with ear protection.
• You can cover your horse with a fly blanket in the pasture and when riding out at the walk. It works like the mask, so it is created from a fine grid. In this way you protect your horse from both types of insects, at least from above, but the legs and stomach are still vulnerable. You should always be attentive here and help your horse to drive away the particularly annoying horseflies.
• Many riders are starting to spray their mounts with fly sprays. The ingredients are very unpleasant for the insects and keep them at a distance. However, these agents evaporate strongly and are also not pleasant for the rider. Some horses do not tolerate these agents and have an allergic reaction.
• Another option is to protect horses from insects from the inside out. There are mueslis that contain slightly garlic, which ensure that the animals get a garlic-containing vapor, which the pests don't like.

Horses attract the insects

Where Horses there will always be stinging insects, nothing can be done about that. However, you should not necessarily ride near the typical dwellings of the insects and pay attention to other things.

• Horseflies in particular live more and more in damp areas. So you should avoid these. It is better to avoid a wetland during a horseback ride purchase.
• When choosing your riding stable, you should also make sure that it is not necessarily located near a breeding ground for pests.
• If it is very hot, you should ride in the evening hours to prevent your mount from sweating too much.
• Don't hold it against your horse for a head hit when he's trying to get rid of a brake, rather take action.
• If insects follow the animals into the barn, you should secure the windows with fly screens.
• Also keep in mind that pests are part of the life of horses. They get along with the insects, but are grateful for any positive support from humans.