Riding the bug sensitive horse when the flies are awful

[pompeiii]

We got away with the natural fly sprays last year, but this year they all cause chemical burns. There must be an essential oil or two he’s allergic to, but I haven’t been able to isolate it. Or, he was in such a state of hypersensitivity that he was just reacting to everything. But after 10 weeks of skin crud and and various fungal issues brought on by the first round of natural fly spray burns (or so my vet suspects), his skin is looking decent. I’m not going to even spot check anything at this point. If I fly spray my mini and he rubs his face against him before the fly spray dries, he ends up with peeling skin all over his muzzle. So I rarely spray my mini now either (anyone need fly spray? Lol).

We were at the point that he’d be fine one week with something (ie: microtek or a certain mild shampoo) and the next week he’d react to a safe product. We’re going to allergy test before next spring/summer because we don’t want to repeat this year.

[emeraldcity]

SWAT on the belly helps a ton!

[Bonnie2]

Awesome outfit! I have one that is just plain unsafe to ride when the bugs are bad. It’s ride dreadfully early or day off for him.

[mmeqcenter]

There’s a couple fly sheet belly guards out there
Cashel Fly Sheet Belly Guard: Chicks Discount Saddlery (chicksaddlery.com)

[endlessclimb]

This is where I’m at with my young mare. She’s wayyyyyy too “extra” about the flies, and I give her a few chances before she gets (mildly) told off for over reacting to them.

She’s also one who will lose her mind if her mane/forelock touch her ears in a way that offends her. She gets told off for that, too. Grow up and focus, young lady.

[emeraldcity]

@endlessclimb

She’s also one who will lose her mind if her mane/forelock touch her ears in a way that offends her. She gets told off for that, too. Grow up and focus, young lady.

Mine is late teens and this is an adjustment we go through every fall when the fly bonnet comes off he gets so twitchy…

[TheHunterKid90]

Yep, that’s how I am with mine. A little tough love.
I do have mercy on my old girls at home and spray them but they paid their dues to the flies.

[sheltona01]

I have a client that trail rides and swears by doing this. She attached a fake dragon fly on a wire to the top of her helmet and to the horse’s breast collar. She said movement was the key, hence the wire. As they move it bounces around on the wire.

[Scarlet_Gilia]

You could try attaching Shoofly tassels near vulnerable areas. They are available in various lengths. Heck, I might try fashioning something similar out of baling twine before I invested in the horse-hair variety.