Fly control for horses has gotten complicated with all the products and conflicting advice out there. As someone who has battled flies every single summer for over a decade, I learned everything there is to know about keeping these pests under control. Today, I will share it all with you.
Fly Masks — Your Horse’s Best Friend in Summer
A quality fly mask is the single best investment you’ll make for summer comfort. My gelding used to stand in the corner of his stall rubbing his face on the wall because the flies were driving him insane. Put a fly mask on him and he’s a different horse. Relaxed, grazing peacefully, actually enjoying turnout.
Look for one with UV protection and ear covers. The ear cover part matters more than people think — gnats and flies in the ears cause head shaking and genuine distress. Check the fit every few days because masks shift, rub spots develop, and loose masks are worse than no mask at all.
Fly Spray That Actually Works
Probably should have led with this section, honestly. Apply before turnout and reapply as needed — and “as needed” might mean twice a day during peak season. I’ve tried everything from fancy boutique sprays to homemade concoctions. Natural citronella-based products work fine for some horses. My mare does great with them. My gelding? Flies laugh at anything less than the heavy-duty permethrin-based stuff.
Find what works for your specific horse and your specific fly population. What works at one barn might be useless at another.
Barn Fans Make a Huge Difference
Moving air keeps flies from landing. Period. I installed two big barn fans a few summers ago and the difference was night and day. Position them to create good airflow through the stalls without blasting directly at the horses. Bonus: the air movement helps with summer heat too, so your horse gets double the benefit.
Manure Management Is Fly Control
Every pile of manure is a fly nursery. They lay eggs in it, and those eggs become the next wave of pests tormenting your horse. Pick paddocks as often as you can manage. I do mine every other day in summer. Drag fields to scatter manure and speed up decomposition. That’s what makes consistent manure management endearing to us barn owners — it’s not glamorous, but it works.
Fly Sheets for the Sensitive Ones
Lightweight mesh fly sheets cover the body without causing overheating. Some horses absolutely love them. Others treat them like personal destruction projects. My mare wears hers like a designer outfit. My gelding had his shredded within a week the first time I tried. Worth experimenting if spray alone isn’t cutting it for your horse.
Flies are summer’s most annoying reality for horse people, but a combination of these approaches keeps them manageable. No single solution does it all — it’s the layered approach that actually makes a difference.
Leave a Reply