I love that stuff. I’m very lucky my horse has no reaction to it because it works great. I’ve never found a tick on him when using it.
Btw, I apply it using a hoof polish brush, the kind that comes with a little cup. Much better than trying to drip it on and having it end up on the ground!
I’ve had a few reactions, but they only last a minute or two then they get on with life. I tend to agree with the person who said it probably feels weird, but not necessarily painful.
It might be just a tingly, itchy reaction, but my OTTB reaction to it on more than one time trying to apply it, was that he had just been stung by a hornet. Stomping with his front, kicking out behind and bucking when applied to his dock. Luckily since I took over mowing the fields the ticks are not so bad and using a good fly spray before rides results in few or dead ticks. It just became not worth the risk.
And to those who would comment on my OTTB’s rude behavior…it is a work in progress. A CTJ meeting results in an escalation of rude behavior, so I’ve had to de-escalate situations with a firm voice and redirect. He is not stoic in any way shape or form.
When I have used it in the past I found using a syringe was a good way to apply. I would empty the vial into a dose cup and suck it into the syringe and apply to the poll, dock, and each lower leg.
[QUOTE=jawa;8727372]
It might be just a tingly, itchy reaction, but my OTTB reaction to it on more than one time trying to apply it, was that he had just been stung by a hornet. Stomping with his front, kicking out behind and bucking when applied to his dock. Luckily since I took over mowing the fields the ticks are not so bad and using a good fly spray before rides results in few or dead ticks. It just became not worth the risk.
When I have used it in the past I found using a syringe was a good way to apply. I would empty the vial into a dose cup and suck it into the syringe and apply to the poll, dock, and each lower leg.[/QUOTE]
Yup to all of this. My one mare who needs a twitch becomes downright dangerous with her ridiculous stomping and kicking. I twitch her, she stands fine, but it’s a pain.
They ALL go out and roll like crazy right after I apply–which also limits when I can put it on. Once I put them in their stalls after and my heart stopped until they were all up and not cast. They get pretty frantic about it.
And I also transfer to a syringe before applying. It’s easier to do that with the freedom. With the equispot, I used a needle to puncture the little applicator dealie.
But flies are TERRIBLE this year, and fly spray isn’t working, so it might be worth the hassle again.
I use Freedom 45. I don’t think it does much for flies, but it’s great for tick prevention. Mare doesn’t like having it applied but doesn’t get sores or anything. She acts like it tickles. That was how I felt when I got some on myself by accident… sort of a burning tickling sensation for a minute or two.
I’ve also heard of more bad reactions to equi-spot.
I use Equi-Spot on one of my horses that has crazy reactions to bug bites. Welts all over, itchy scabs, etc. I tried it a few times last year and thought I maybe saw a difference, so I’ve been using it pretty regularly so far this year.
I haven’t even brought out the fly sheets for my crew (yet) this season. She has minimal bug bite spots, almost none, and seems to be doing well so far. This mare doesn’t particularly care for the application and does a ton of stomping/kicking after I apply. I always make sure to put it on her and then distract her with something, usually a meal. By the time she’s finished eating she must be over the reaction to the application, which I think is mostly annoying from the liquid running or dripping. This horse has very sensitive skin considering the way the bug bites show up, but I haven’t had any trouble with the Equispot.
I have a $5 off coupon from Farnam, I’ll have to give it a try. Thanks for the thread!
I have one with fly allergies and another that is a tick magnet. I want to give it a try. Unfortunately the horses live out 24/7 and fly sheets arent an option even with shelter and shade in the FL summer.
Fly spray isnt working much and though im covering my allergy guy in spray and swat, hes miserable with his rubbing and welts.
Seems like its worth a shot. Thanks for the post!
I use an oil based fly spray. I wonder if I could add one of these the bottle? My horses hate to have it applied so I’m wondering if diluting it in fly spray would be better? Certainly more even.
I use Celebration spot on and just an FYI…these products are supposed to work with the natural oils in the skin just like topical flea and tick treatments for dogs and cats.
So…basic rules that they don’t tell you but should are:
Wait 2 days after bathing before applying so the oils can replenish.
Don’t apply and then turn out in the rain
Don’t apply where tack can rub. Instead of the withers I apply along either side of the neck and on forehead where the browband won’t hit. Of course watch the eyes.
Apply again at 1.5 weeks not 2.
Don’t apply when horse will be sweaty, like after a workout or before. Ideally, you want the skin to be dry as well as the weather so it doesn’t wash off.
Allow a few minutes before turn out after applying . You know they’re going to roll so give it some time to soak in.
I use it on all of my horses and some of my boarders are starting to as well. We have only had one tick this season and that was the day we first applied it.
We also use Animed 3n1 Buglyte as a feed through and between the 2, we don’t have a huge problem. I still use fly spray on their legs because the horses will go stand in the pond so it makes me (and my farrier!) feel better lol
I don’t have to use fly masks either. I still use homemade swat but I really don’t need to, at least not like I used to. I don’t spend a $100 a month on fly spray for my 5 horses like I used to. In fact, I have only used 1 bottle since spring, and that’s with me spraying stalls and myself so yeah, the Celebration spot on works really well for us.
[QUOTE=katyb;8725804]
I use Freedom 45, which is the same I think. It helps some with flies, eliminates ticks. Each subsequent dose works a bit better, I think.
We still have flies, just less. I did apply to some and not others to test this, and the ones not treated had clouds, rather than a few flies.
I have one who dislikes the application, but I don’t see any problems with her skin.[/QUOTE]
This.
No treatment is perfect but the Freedom45 has a clear, positive effect.
A fortune awaits the developer of a truly effective fly/tick repellent.
G.
One week and one day I am impressed.
Last Friday was an overcast and a cool day and I was disappointed to see bleeding fly bites on the chestnut mares legs and one bite on the white of my donkey’s face. Fast forward to today- 97F with wicked humidity and not one bite on the mare’s legs or donkeys face, go figure.
I like Chachie’s recommendation to apply at 1.5 weeks for continuous protection. I’m leaning towards for the price the protection is pretty good. 
[QUOTE=Chachie;8732006]
I use Celebration spot on and just an FYI…these products are supposed to work with the natural oils in the skin just like topical flea and tick treatments for dogs and cats.
So…basic rules that they don’t tell you but should are:
Wait 2 days after bathing before applying so the oils can replenish.
Don’t apply and then turn out in the rain
Don’t apply where tack can rub. Instead of the withers I apply along either side of the neck and on forehead where the browband won’t hit. Of course watch the eyes.
Apply again at 1.5 weeks not 2.
Don’t apply when horse will be sweaty, like after a workout or before. Ideally, you want the skin to be dry as well as the weather so it doesn’t wash off.
Allow a few minutes before turn out after applying . You know they’re going to roll so give it some time to soak in.
I use it on all of my horses and some of my boarders are starting to as well. We have only had one tick this season and that was the day we first applied it.
We also use Animed 3n1 Buglyte as a feed through and between the 2, we don’t have a huge problem. I still use fly spray on their legs because the horses will go stand in the pond so it makes me (and my farrier!) feel better lol
I don’t have to use fly masks either. I still use homemade swat but I really don’t need to, at least not like I used to. I don’t spend a $100 a month on fly spray for my 5 horses like I used to. In fact, I have only used 1 bottle since spring, and that’s with me spraying stalls and myself so yeah, the Celebration spot on works really well for us.[/QUOTE]
What would you suggest to the horse that is in 5-6 day a week work who is rinsed off after every ride. Well, after most rides as it is a bugger here right now.
I’m another one whose horses had a dramatic behavioral reaction to the application, although no apparent physical damage to the skin.
The first couple times I applied it, they were fine. But after a few times, they started becoming antsy and twitching as I was putting it on. Then it got to the point where they’d become agitated as soon as they saw the tube coming and make a huge show out of bucking and rolling when I set them loose after application.
It helped some (more with the ticks than flies IMO), but the theatrics were not worth it for me. That type of behavior is really out of character for my guys, so I trust it must have caused a truly uncomfortable sensation for them.
I’ve had success with it in the past with other horses, esp. for deterring ticks, with no reactions. But current mare is a very sensitive gray. I used it on her and got the behavioral reaction (stomping and kicking). Decided she could live with the temporary discomfort, as it had really helped with the tick problem. Used it again a few weeks later and got, in addition to the grumpy behavior, a really bad skin reaction at the application points on her neck and rump. She had blistering and hair loss, poor thing. So I won’t use it again, obviously.
