My new filly is completely terrified of being sprayed. Like, panics at the mere sound of the spray 6 feet away. Sigh. At the rate we’re going, she may allow more than one spray by this time next year…but I need to ride in the meantime :yes:
Has anyone made their own fly spray wipes? Thinking about buying unscented baby wipes and soaking them in a jar of fly spray, but would love to hear if someone has a better idea 
My donkey won’t do spray either so I use the product “Wipe,” which actually seems very effective. Rather than try to make my own wipes I buy sponges that I think are called “Ocello,” that have terry cloth on one side and a thin plastic on the other (get them at grocery store, etc.).
I first brush off any loose hair/dirt, then pour some Wipe on the terry-cloth side of the sponge, let it soak in a minute, then wipe all over the donkey. Then I store the sponge in a peanut butter jar so it won’t dry out, and re-use the next day (adding more Wipe), etc. Wash about once a week.
My donkey actually seems to enjoy the process and I believe it gives better coverage and works better than spray does.
[QUOTE=GotMyPony;8773964]
My donkey won’t do spray either so I use the product “Wipe,” which actually seems very effective. Rather than try to make my own wipes I buy sponges that I think are called “Ocello,” that have terry cloth on one side and a thin plastic on the other (get them at grocery store, etc.).
I first brush off any loose hair/dirt, then pour some Wipe on the terry-cloth side of the sponge, let it soak in a minute, then wipe all over the donkey. Then I store the sponge in a peanut butter jar so it won’t dry out, and re-use the next day (adding more Wipe), etc. Wash about once a week.
My donkey actually seems to enjoy the process and I believe it gives better coverage and works better than spray does.[/QUOTE]
Ahh, I like the idea of the sponge in the jar. And pouring instead of spraying! Thanks!
I second the recommendation of Wipe. I began using it this year and have so far found it much more effective than any of the spray on products. I apply it every other day and have noticed the horses are comfortable in the pasture even on the hottest and most humid days. No stomping at flies.
I pour a few inches of fly spray into a jar that is big enough to get my hand in to. Then I put a small rag in there and let it get saturated. I get my horse as clean as possible and then go over her with in circular motions with the barely squeezed out rag. She has no qualms about being sprayed but I think this is a more effective way to get more repellant on a horse with much less waste. Unless your horse has a bath everyday, the spray and rag will pick up some dirt but I calculate it so that nothing’s too dirty before I just start over with a clean rag and spray.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE Wipe, but at the current local price of $100 per gallon, I simply cannot afford it for 4 horses. Gordon’s Horse & Pony Spray is $30 per gallon at TSC and works just about as well as Wipe. Might not last quite as long, but still super effective. I can also spray it, as it does not seem to “eat” the sprayer like Wipe does. Wipe “greases” a sprayer up pretty quick to the point it will no longer spray.
If you don’t want to use a wipe-on product, you can put your fly spray in a hand-pump pressurized small garden sprayer. I think mine is 1.5 qts??? I can go pump it up/pressurize it “away” from the horse, so as not to spook them with the “whoosh whoosh” sound it makes. Once pressurized, it is SILENT - just hold the trigger down and sprays a continuous mist. You can set it from a fine mist to a stream.
Best part is that the garden sprayer has a super wide mouth on it, so refilling is a breeze without spilling a drop. No funnel needed.
Or, - and I’ve never tried this, just surmizing - try popping open an empty roll-on deoderant bottle and refilling with fly spray. Less waste, I suspect, than a sponge or an old facecloth (which I’ve also used).
I have one of these and love it: http://www.chicksaddlery.com/page/CDS/PROD/TM4298
I spray on it then wipe the horse. I also use it to apply SWAT.
I use an old fuzzy girth cover cut into 6 inch lengths. I put it on my hand like a mitt, spray it well (or pour some fly spay solution on) and wipe horse. Mare isn’t afraid of spray but this is more economical as well as more thorough. When the mitt is dirty, wash. The synthetic fleece is good, holds the spray but doesn’t absorb it .
Tractor supply sells these fly repellant wipes that seem to work pretty well for me. I use fly spray, but use these on the face and ears and I have had few few bites in my horse’s ears since I started using them. Here is the link for them.
http://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/espree-aloe-herbal-horse-fly-repellent-face-body-wipe
I spray a paper towel well, some times a double one, use it and then store it in a plastic baggie for next time.
I used an old face terry cloth for a while, until it got lost.
After a few uses, throw it away and start another towel.
I use that for faces, that I don’t spray directly, works for every other place also.
Works with any fly preparation.
Wipe is an amazing repellent and lasts forever. I have an old yogurt container with a rag in it, which I top up with about 1 tbsp of the wipe every week or so, after the initial saturation.
The smell seems to be divisive - I actually think it smells pretty good, but plenty of people find it gross.
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