Serious bug defence needed for the sensitive horse with a short tail...

[Cataluna]

I recently moved my horse to a new farm who, for safety reasons, does not do night turnout during the summer. My mare is suuuuuper sensitive, hates the bugs, and has been inside protected from the nasty biters and heat of the day for the past four summers and has obviously loved it. She’s half App and has the tail to prove it.

With spring approaching, I’m already on the hunt for ways to make this new(ish) outdoor summer experience a less horrific one for her. I’m hesitant about fly sheets because my area can get very stagnant and humid, and the horses always look miserable with an extra layer of fabric on with heavy air and no airflow… but honestly I’m going to look into anything and everything…

Potent long lasting fly sprays? Supplements? Stuff to hang in the run-ins? Leg bug wraps that won’t bother her sensitive skin? Anything. Please help!

TIA

[MyKindaFlower]

Try EcoVet. I use it every morning on my horses and it seems to do the job. You might want to use some Swat or just some petroleum jelly on her belly if you have a lot of those tiny little biting black flies.

[stb]

I second the suggestions of Ecovet and Swat. That’s what I use on my sensitive appy with the sad tail. During gnat season I also have him on an antihistamine, which helps greatly.

[FindersKeepers]

Try something like Equispot. It needs to be applied more frequently than the manufacturers suggest, but it does help. I’d also get her started on an antihistamine before fly season.

[Cataluna]

Thank you everyone for the suggestions! Totally agree with the antihistamine, I’ve been in contact with my vet about this already. I think we’re going to get her started on it a little early this year.

I’ll definitely look into Equispot. I worry a little about super concentrated formulas causing swelling/irritation (in addition to the swelling/irritation from the bugs :rolleyes:).

Would it be beneficial to look into a supplement to decrease inflammation as well? Her bug bites tend to be very raised/hivey/dramatic…

Would a good lightweight fly sheets/leg wraps be worth it? Maybe just don’t put it on during the super muggy days?

Thanks again!!

[knic13]

My gelding is a HUGE diva about the bugs. I had the same concerns that you did about turnout in flysheets during hot, humid days but have found that even though he does sweat with a sheet on, if I turn him out naked he runs around like an idiot and gets much hotter. I ultimately decided the fly sheet was the lesser evil.

He wears a fly sheet, with neck cover, as well as a fly mask and shoofly leggings. That along with liberal fly spray keeps him happy for the most part.

[Moses_Mom]

I have a new killpen rescue and like many from these places he has a very short tail from the hair being cut off a few inches below the tailbone. I live in the South so pesky bugs are a huge issue and with our humidity and rain even the waterproof fly sprays don’t really get the job done. I bought a 48" braid of synthetic hair (24" when folded over) from Sally Beauty Supply for under $3 and braided it into his own tail hair incorporating yarn to secure it. So far it’s been in for about 10 days and has even held up in a rain storm and mud. I have a bay so I was able to match the color of his own hair. Overall it looks pretty good especially at that price and it’s amazing how efficient a.horse’s tail really is.

[luvmyhackney]

Could you add bailing twine to the tail to make tail longer? I use vaseline instead of swat, much cheaper. Garlic maybe? I’ve found the best fly spray that works for me is Endure or the oil based Pyranha in the yellow bottle.

Cover the horse in the flysheets full body and with a mask. I use socks for legs instead of the fly protection for legs with velcro. Just change the socks often. Never had an issue.

[shayaalliard]

I make my friend’s appy baling twine tail extensions. My sensitive princess prefers to have her sheet on, hot or not.