[QUOTE=beowulf;8170213]
Also, FWIW, the ONLY thing I’ve found to work is Absorbine ULTRASHIELD in the black bottle.[/QUOTE]
Me too.
I’m glad I checked back on this thread, since we are in the throes of fly and bug season down here. I’ve been using the black Absorbine spray lately, but last time out I picked up a bottle of Endure. When I sprayed my horse he had a fly on his pastern. One spritz of Endure and the thing keeled over dead. Eureka. I’ve done the same thing with Pyrahna and Absorbing many times and usually the fly just flies away.
I think that Endure and Tri-Tec are basically the same active chemicals - the Endure is oil based and the Tri-Tec is water based IIRC.
I want to chime in about SmartPak’s OutSmart fly spray. We used it for a couple of days last week until we saw that our horses were having a skin irritation problem. We had peeling and flaking skin on both horses as well as my gelding’s swollen sheath. The horses are on the mend and OutSmart is history.
Yikes, if you read the reviews, it sounds like MANY horses have had bad reactions to this.
I found it odd that many gave it a “4 star” review - but then went on to describe reactions.
4 stars “but” it burned two horses? Complaints about stickiness, bad smell (that made them cough), etc etc - I guess some people are more generous with their “4 star” rating then I am!
I wouldn’t be giving high stars to something that injured my horse.
Well, I’m glad I posted this instead of just ordering the flyspray. Doesn’t sound like something I’m interested in. Thanks, everyone.
I’ve been using it for about a month now and am not a huge fan. I have not had any adverse reactions on 7 different horses (including one very sensitive-skinned grey). However, I don’t think it’s the most effective product and what really bothers me is the smell. It seems to work for about 8 hours but that’s it - I get much longer lasting results from Pyranha Wipe N’ Spray. The smell of the spray is not bad, but it is POTENT and really seems to linger on skin/clothing - to the point where if I spray the horses before morning turnout, I can smell it on myself all day long despite multiple hand-washings, etc. Not so cool when working in an office! I would have expected something that pungent to be more effective/longer-lasting than it really is.
I bought it under the buy 2-get 1 free promotion, but as soon as I use up this last bottle it’s back to Pyranha for me.
I like it ok, the trick to not getting the burns is to shake it really well. It seems to work better than anything other than pyranha and I like the smell lol
I would rather not use something that is going to burn my horse unless I shake it perfectly. That means I can’t leave non horsey DH to use it without fear of bodily harm to the animals.
[QUOTE=fordtraktor;8193130]
I would rather not use something that is going to burn my horse unless I shake it perfectly. That means I can’t leave non horsey DH to use it without fear of bodily harm to the animals.[/QUOTE]
I agree.
We do shake our spray bottles prior to applying a product, every time. We’ve never had a horse harmed in any way by any other spray.
Just be watchful and careful everyone!
[QUOTE=fordtraktor;8193130]
I would rather not use something that is going to burn my horse unless I shake it perfectly. That means I can’t leave non horsey DH to use it without fear of bodily harm to the animals.[/QUOTE]
Yes, I almost bought some but the reviews on the skin reactions scared me away. I do like to try the natural type fly sprays because so much of the fly spray blows back on me when I spray my horses. I’ve used chemical based sprays as well, but just don’t feel as comfortable. I decided to stick with brands I know work for my horses because I have one that had some serious allergic reactions last summer and I don’t want to introduce unnecessary risk with fly spray. Whatever brand and composition you use, none work well enough to justify too much risk.
[QUOTE=cswoodlandfairy;8170157]
It’s called Eco-Vet Fly Spray. Its chemical free and EPA approved. To test it, there were horses already turned out so I sprayed my boy, don’t need much You just need a light squeeze and sweeping motion and you can cover the horse in about 3 squirts…not something you need to douse your horse in. I then turned him out curious to see what would happen. I hung out for a couple hours and my boy never swished his tail or tossed his heads to get the flies off. I was amazed. The others were constantly swishing tails but my boy was pretty happy and content and this even when he was right up against another horse.
Definitely definitely recommend! I will add a note that it works on whatever is out right now in my area in Central Virginia, so I know the bugs change with the seasons. We don’t really have gnats out yet so I will be curious to see what it does with those buggers.
http://www.doversaddlery.com/eco-vet-fly-spray-18oz/p/X1-23180/?ids=04frjygbjhb4m3i0aegquokt[/QUOTE]
I picked up some about 10 days ago, and used it on the head/neck for some rides in my ring (alongside a creek) with good results. Then last weekend came the real test. Sprayed the entire horse with ecovet around 8:30AM, drove to dawson forest, trail rode from about 9:30-12:00 across multiple elevations, in woods, open fields, across two rivers, multiple creeks, along one river… in short a biting fly’s dream ecosystem.
I had a deet soaked ear bonnet in my saddle packs just in case (and some deet spray for me). Never used the bonnet, had next to zero problems with biting flies, although he did still toss his head because they were buzzing about - but not really landing. I killed one horse fly because it landed right under my hand on the reins and one landed on his ass right behind the saddle and then just left. My friend recorded 6 kills so the horse flies were definitely out there.
If you read the literature on how it works, it sounds interesting. In this first trial it sure seemed to work. My only caveat is it is not the most pleasing smell out there. They say it is hints of lavender and sage, but I’m not getting it. However if it works, I will deal with the odor!
For now I will stick with Ultrashield, it is primarily permethrin, it does stay on in the rain and it does last for several days, even though I seldom push that button. 
Disappointed.
Our horses go without fly spray. I’m allergic to anything that actually works longer than 5 minutes. 
We rub swat on the sensitive areas and the palomino has a fly sheet.
The Ultrashield bleaches the tar out of my bay and black horses. I stopped using it because it turned them burnt orange in our hot Midwest sun.
i like the Flysect Super 7 and Tri Tec reasonably well for riding but nothing works for more than one ride. And my horses stay bay longer. I also started using fly sheets, the softer Smartpak ones, and my horses seem to like them. I used to just have the Baker ones and those are too hot for everyday use, but they are sturdy.
Pyrethrins and permethrins - totally safe if you 1) read the label and apply accordingly and 2) do not possess 6 or more legs on one body.
Better living through chemistry!
Are maybe the 4 star reviews with less glowing text a way around the review removal system? I’m wondering. Better not to leave any review than that, I think, because a lot of people just look at the star rating.
That Eco Vet looks interesting, but since insects seem to have a different method of selecting their “prey” I wonder how well it translates between species? Here the big issues are stable flies and mosquitoes, and heavy doses of both, so it might work. Where your flies are less “common” types (Maine’s black fly, anyone?) I would be interested in hearing if it’s equally effective.
[QUOTE=goldenrow;8193681]
Pyrethrins and permethrins - totally safe if you 1) read the label and apply accordingly and 2) do not possess 6 or more legs on one body.
Better living through chemistry![/QUOTE]
THIS^. Never yet found ANYTHING that works better than Flysect Citronella or, if I’m going in deerfly-buzzing woods, the BOMB is still ancient Farnam Wipe!
[QUOTE=Lady Eboshi;8195827]
THIS^. Never yet found ANYTHING that works better than Flysect Citronella or, if I’m going in deerfly-buzzing woods, the BOMB is still ancient Farnam Wipe![/QUOTE]
I love the Flysect Citronella! It’s extremely effective (well, as effective as a fly spray can be) and doesn’t irritate even the sensitive-skinned horses. So thankful that one of the local feed stores started carrying it.
I just got this email from Smartpak -
"Thanks for shopping with SmartPak and trying our OutSmart™ Fly Spray. We’ve received tons of positive feedback about OutSmart from horse owners across the country since its launch. While we’re thrilled it is working so well for so many, we’ve also heard reports of skin sensitivity occurring in a small percentage of the horses it was used on. Because we stand for healthy horses and happy riders, even this low incidence rate has us pausing to evaluate the formula.
•If you’re one of the many horse owners who are thrilled with OutSmart, you can absolutely continue using it according to the instructions on the label to help keep your horse bug free this summer.
•If you’re unhappy with the results you’re seeing, or have any concerns continuing to use OutSmart, please contact our Customer Care Team and we’ll be happy to assist you.
The Future of OutSmart Fly Spray
At SmartPak we’re committed to providing innovative solutions to problems in the barn. We’re still very excited about the opportunity to offer a safe, plant-based, non-toxic fly spray and we’re working to make this formula even better for horses and the riders who love them.
As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us at 1-800-461-8898 or via email at CustomerCare@SmartPak.com.
Sincerely,
Your friends at SmartPak"
I have used mine twice and it doesn’t seem to be bothering my horse but I hate the smell and the oiliness.
I’ve got a gallon of the Absorbine Ultrashield in the black bottle. My fingers get tired of pumping the spray onto the horses and it still does not work particularly well…maybe slightly, and the mosquitoes take no notice of it.
BTW - anybody shop WalMart in the States for DEET in the camping department? What is the availability before a make the cross-border trek and wait in the long lineups? Thanks.
