What in the world do I do about the horseflies for the summer? I load my guys up with fly spray but the horseflies are relentless.
I’ve noticed that my guys run for shade when the horseflies get to be too much, so might be a good idea to be sure they have access to shade. It won’t totally prevent them, but it helps. Mine also wear fly masks and leggings, although horseflies don’t go for the face and lower legs. I don’t use a fly sheet because it’s just too hot and humid where I am. I also spray them, but as you know that doesn’t do much good.
Ditto on the shade, mine also run for their run-in when the bombers get persistent. I do have them in the SmartPak Ultimate fly sheets and will keep them on as long as possible until we get consistently in the 90s (Va Beach area). I haven’t found a fly spray that lasts long enough to outweigh the sheet.
Horseflies are sight feeders, so fly spray doesn’t work 
There’s some evidence that zebra striping patterns confuse sight feeders and help reduce attacks
https://horse-canada.com/magazine/online-exclusives/horse-zebra-print/
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I don’t think there is any one thing you can do. We feed the horses garlic powder. It does seem to help with bugs of all kinds. I’ve see, anecdotal evidence here, that when we are out with a group of other horses that the horse flies will pester the other horses before ours.
I will say that it seems to work better with geldings than mares and better with the more thin skinned horses. It has worked so well with the horses that I take it everyday and don’t use bug spray any more.
https://www.horsepal.net/
My paddocks are next to the woods. The Horse Pal is the only thing that helps. Hoping to make a couple of DIY versions this year because I would like to put them in more places.
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I put destin on my horse’s sheath, since the horseflies trend to gravitate to that area. I was under the impression that they like dark areas, so the white zinc oxide throws them off.
Best I’ve come up with yet 
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