Hi guys! It's that time of year and there seems to be flies everywhere! But what can i use to keep the flys away from my horses eyes?

Have you considered using a field mask or fly fringe?

If you arent sure what they are, google the above and have a look. The masks are used to keep flies away from the general face, although correct fitting is a must as a lot of people either have them on too tight or far too big.

The fringes are also good at keeping flies away, although they can still get under and some horses dont like them.

The previous comment is a good answer. Fly fringes, Fly masks, Full fly rug with hood and fringe and fly repellent creams are all good too.

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~Hayles - horse mad!

Anything Equine

I feed my lad garlic and he's never bothered by flies as much as some of the other horses.

JSR; That's interesting - do you feed it so it 'comes through the skin' or that it is a repellant through their dung?
It's quite a sided topic with most people as they think it comes through their skin when it doesnt really, what are your thoughts?

This worked for me too. It's been a long time since I had a horse but I used garlic powder - just a scoop full (scoop came in the tub) once a day. You'd need to get more info about amounts etc.

If the fringes etc aren't enough then this is the route to take.

Laura

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Quick google search - garlic powder horse

This came up as an example

Equimins Garlic Powder

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Not sure how it works actually but I've fed it too him for years now Spring til early Winter with a break over late winter and honestly he suffer's far less than any of the rest of the herd. It's certainly not a smell through his sweat because I don't detect it when he's working but I've never looked into the actually 'mechanic's' of why it works it just does!! I feed him Rosehip for his joints (which no longer click since feeding it) and Yeast for his digestive system (he had salmonella 2 years ago and nearly died) and Garlic for his blood and fly deteriant. All natural as they come and so far working exactly as I would like.

I tend you use granules as the powder is too light and doesn't work as well with the feed I use, but I have friends who use cloves lightly chopped, both methods work well.

That's great you use natural 'supplements' it's about time they were better recognised.

I feed one of mine garlic for his blood, and my liveries can always smell it in his stable but i cant. And i agree with you that the granules are better
Well done for having a natural fed horse.

I know everytime I feed Kane someone pop's up 'Ohhh garlic bread!!' . I've used it to tempt fussy horses to eat too, I know it does have a bit of a mixed reaction in the 'horsey' world but he goes great on it so I'm happy.