Horse Flies

HORSE FLIES

You can make a very effective fly net for your horse's face and eyes from an old vegetable net bag or old net curtains. Add Velcro to the top and sides then attach it to the cheekpieces and headpiece of your horse's headcollar. You may want to punch holes in the headcollar for the top and tape through them. Measure it up on your horse first.

You can also consider making a fly fringe for suitable occasions which can be attached to the headpiece. Attach pieces of string to an old brow strap. You could also decorate it if required.

If your horse is going to be standing during hot weather, adding a little antiseptic to the shampoo you use to help deter flies.

The effect of a fly spray soon wears off through evaporation when you are out riding. For a long ride, spray a few pieces of cloth with fly spray before you go and put them in a sealable bag. They can then be used to wipe your horse periodically during the ride.

You might consider attaching a piece of cloth that has been sprayed with fly spray to your riding hat or its peak before you ride on a warm day, as an effective deterrent to flies while you are riding.