How To Buy The Best Fly Spray For Your Horses

You might have a state-of-the-art barn and feed the healthiest food options for your horses, or you might have a centuries old barn and have horses that graze all day, regardless of these factors, you have to ask the question – are their coats well protected? Are your horses safe from disease-spreading flies and insects?

When you closely inspect a horse’s mane, you are bound to find tiny insects, gnats, mosquitoes, horse flies, and even ticks at times. These insects carry many diseases, including swamp fever which can be very dangerous for your horse if not checked and treated.

Why Fly Sprays

A fly spray contains ingredients that can either kill or ward off these insects. You can prevent the disease from reaching your horse or the insects from troubling your horse by regularly using such sprays as a precaution.

Choose The Best Fy Spray For Your Horses

Some of the factors you need to consider while selecting this spray are:

• Safety
The first and foremost factor to consider is the safety of the spray. Is it safe to use around humans and other animals? It is not always feasible to get your horse away and spray it. Other horses and animals are bound to be around, and you (human) will also be exposed to the spray.

• Suitability
Buy a spray that is specifically designed to combat the particular infestation you are dealing with. If your horse has ticks, choose a spray that’s designed for ticks. If you want to get rid of the horseflies, choose a spray designed for it.

Though one repellent may work for another insect, it may not be as effective as expected. Sometimes you might need to use some additional product or get professional help from your vet, to get the infestation under control.

• Water/Oil Based
Fly sprays come in both water-based as well as oil-based formats.

Water-based sprays, as the name suggests, are mixed with water and sprayed. These don’t leave an oily residue after your horse has been sprayed. Check the instructions and get the exact measurements to mix. Mixing it wrong might cause harm to your animals or not have any effect at all.

Oil-based sprays are thick and can stick to the horse’s coat longer. They might feel heavy and have a more pungent smell than water-based sprays. It might also be challenging to get it off the horse’s coat when used repeatedly.

• Smell
Many sprays have a powerful smell that might not go well with your horses or other animals. It can agitate or even irritate them. Many sprays have some soothing fragrance added to them, but these can contain many chemicals to reduce the smell of certain ingredients. Always check the scent and verify the ingredient used to make the spray smell nice/ subtle.

• Ingredients Used
Check the list of ingredients used. If your horse or other animals have had an adverse reaction to some ingredient or other sprays, you need to verify if this spray does not contain those ingredients. If you are not too sure, ask your vet for a list of ingredients you should avoid while choosing a fly spray for your horse.

• Coat Friendly
You will be using this spray on your horse’s coat directly. Ensure the spray is coat friendly and will not cause any adverse reactions when it comes in contact with your horse’s soft and shiny coat. Some sprays come with an additional conditioner added to the spray, which can help maintain the horse’s coat.

• Convenience
Opt for a spray bottle rather than a can. If the product comes only in big cans, the cans work out cheaper than individual spray bottles, but a separate spray bottle. Transfer the liquid, mix it as recommended, and then pour it into the spray bottle.

• Usage
Some fly sprays are not for direct use; you need to spray them around the stable or the barn. You can spray the floor, walls, doors, etc. If you want to keep the area clean of all insects, you can opt for such sprays that will protect the horses and other animals in the barn.

• Frequency
How frequently do you have to use the spray on your horse? Does it last as long as it promises to? If it is organic, you may not be harming your horse and other animals by using the spray regularly.

However, if it is chemical-based, your animals will get exposed to these chemicals regularly, which is not the best for their health. Choose a spray that doesn’t require as frequent usage but that also won’t expose your horse or family to potentially harmful chemicals.

Organic Vs. Chemical Fly Sprays

Chemical Sprays – Many of these fly sprays for horses contain chemicals in them to ward off and kill all those pesky flies and insects. While most of these chemicals may not harm your horse or other animals, some of them might. Not all chemicals have enough research and studies conducted on their usage and side effects in the long run.

If you are not sure about each ingredient used in that chemical-based spray that seems to be working like magic, it may not be very safe for your horse or even you, after all.

Organic Sprays – Organic sprays, on the other hand, use only naturally occurring ingredients and are chemical-free. Citronella is a famous ingredient used in both organic and chemical-based sprays for their citric scent. Some sprays use fatty acids that can deter the flies. These ingredients are not harmful to your horse, other animals, or even humans. You can use them safely, many times.

Which is better for your horse?

Organic or natural sprays are safer any day for both your animals and you. Naturally occurring ingredients may not last very long but do not have any major side effects either. What you use on your horse needs to be safe for other animals in the barn as well.

Chemical-based fly sprays may work faster and last longer than natural sprays due to the strong chemicals. They could also be impacting your animals and your health slowly. This is definitely a major concern!

How To Use A Fly Spray On Your Horse

The fly sprays come in two types – concentrate and ready-to-use.

When you buy ready-to-use, follow the instructions and use the spray right out of the bottle to ward off all those flies and insects.

When you opt for the concentrate, ensure you mix them in the same proportion as instructed. Using a solid spray bottle is both safe and long-lasting. Concentrates can work out to be cheaper than the ready-to-use versions; a perfect option if you have a big barn full of animals that need protection from such insects.

Conclusion
Choosing the right fly spray is as essential as following the given instructions. Take time, do your research, check with other barn owners for their review and choose the perfect fly spray for your horse – preferably organic as they do not cause any harm in the long run – You can check out our amazing organic fly spray here –

Few things are better than a ride through mountain trails with you, your horse & maybe even some good friends. With September just a stones throw away, hunting season is about to commence.

Just as we love to take our equine friends onto the trails during this time of year – most hunters do the same.

What can equestrians and horse lovers do to protect equine companions from possible accident or harm, particularly during turnouts or trail rides?

Here are 10 tips for trail riding during hunting season

Clear markings and common-sense cautions can go a long way towards preventing hunting-related tragedies for horse lovers or their animals.

1. Choose safe dates for riding out.

Many stables post hunting season dates for boarders and riders to read and heed, particularly those located adjacent to open lands where hunting is common. Deer hunters’ gun season is generally considered the riskiest time for riding out. This period usually runs for about 10 days, beginning on the Saturday before Thanksgiving.

2. Stick to daylight.

Visibility is critical for intrepid trail riders, who may venture out with their horses during game hunting seasons. Safety-conscious equestrians avoid trails and wooded areas when visibility is low, such as on foggy days or during dawn, dusk, and evening hours.

3. Deck the horse in blaze orange.

From a distance, a chestnut horse may slightly resemble a deer, particularly if hunters are not paying close attention. For turnout and trail rides, blaze orange can be a lifesaver. Saddle shops and tack catalogs offer neon orange saddle pads, splint boots, polo wraps, and other equipment for horse safety during hunting seasons.

4. Add rhythmic noisemakers.

Plenty of horseback riders place jingly bells on their horses’ saddles, breast collars, or martingales for out-riding. This steady sound helps alert hunters of their appearance without spooking the horses. After all, Santa’s reindeer may sport bells, but wild game does not.

5. Dress in hunter orange.

It’s not enough to deck one’s horse in bright color for rustic rides during hunting season. Rider apparel is readily available in the same blaze orange. Safety vests, gloves, and helmet covers are popular choices.

6. Take a cell phone on trail rides.

A well-charged cellular phone is always a good idea on a trail ride, but particularly during hunting season.

7. Go in groups.

A group of horses and riders are much easier to spot than a solo pair. While out in the wild during hunting times, safety-minded equestrians can make their presence more apparent by talking to one another, or even calling out to hunters who may not have spotted them.

This may scare off a deer or two, but it may also save humans’ or horses’ lives.

8. Avoid hunting areas.

Galloping wildly through the woods may sound like fun, but it’s a bad idea during hunting season. Safety-conscious equestrians stick to designated bridle paths. Also, hunting is prohibited in state parks, so these are usually a fair bet.

9. Mark your ranch.

Occasionally, hunters may wander onto private property, such as your ranch. This may be minimized by posting “No Hunting” signs, marking fence posts with bright orange paint, and hanging safety marking ribbons along fence lines.

10. Turn horses out in groups.

A solo horse may face greater risk or inadvertent targeting than a grazing group, which is considerably more recognizable as equine from a distance. Bright neon halters help a lot. Some horse owners use neon vet wrap on their equines’ tails during hunting season.

The secret to hunting season safety for horses and their owners is to minimize surprises outdoors. If hunters can identify horses easily, accidental tragedies are far less likely to occur.

Stay safe friends, and make sure you keep your equine friends safe as well! See you on the trail!

Bonus: Keep your horse & even yourself fly free with our Organic Fly Spray – it’s packable, non-toxic and a great addition for any trail ride.

Is your Horse performance ready : The Best Care for Hard Working Horses

Does your horse work hard?

When a horse works hard, training 5-6 days a week and spending its summers at events, whether it be local, state or national events, the owners need to take special precautions to ensure that the horse gets everything it needs in its diet and that special precautions are taken to keep the horse sound and feeling its best.

I mean, who doesn’t want to make sure their horse is in tip top shape to hopefully get the earnings going.

Nutrition for Performance Horses

Unlike retired or pleasure horses, performance horses need special feed (don’t worry, if your horse is more of a weekend warrior competitor – you can get by with regular feed). But strict performance horses require a slight increase in protein, especially during rodeo and even show season, needing about 9-11 percent compared to 8-10 percent for non-performance horses. That amount of protein is necessary to be sure that the horse’s muscles can continue to function properly. To accomplish this performance horses need to be fed high quality hay. High-level horses also need a lot of forage. This should be accomplished be allowing the horse to graze for at least part of the day. This gives the horse part of the needed forage and helps reduce the risk of ulcers that performance horses can be prone to. If the horse must be kept in his stall then the horse should be fed hay 3 or 4 times a day.

Should I feed my horse grain?

Grain is technically not necessary for these performance horses and can add unnecessary carbohydrates. However, since performance horses often need supplements some form of grain is often necessary. There are several alternatives to grain including things like alfalfa pellets or beet pulp.

Horse not maintaining weight during season?

A diet additive that is good for performance horses, and also horses that have trouble gaining weight, is fat, usually in the form of oil. The type of oil most commonly used is corn oil, although any type of vegetable based oil will work. The amount of oil fed can vary but generally two cups a day for a thousand pound horse will suffice. The oil should be mixed in with their grain and other supplements.

Keeping Performance Horses Sound

Performance horses are more at risk for lameness and need more precautions. For horses to stay sound, regular shoeing is necessary, usually at intervals of 4 to 6 weeks. Also very important for performance horses is the footing that they are trained on. There are different types of footing that are recommended for the different sports such as dressage or jumping; however the footing should always be solid and consistent. The footing needs to be free of rocks and any holes with the potential to cause a serious injury.

All horses should have their legs protected during hard work to avoid injury and add support if needed. Leg protection varies widely depending on the sport and the needs of the horse. Simple splint boots will protect the horse’s legs without adding too much unneeded support.

Maintaining Joints

Maintaining a performance horse’s joints is also an important part of making sure the horse is comfortable and working at its best. To help a horse’s joints, medication and injections can be administered. There are several medications available and the decision of which to use should be discussed with a veterinarian.

There are also many alternative procedures that are available and may help performance horses with a lot of ailments. Alternative treatments may include chiropractic, massage or acupuncture. Any of these therapies may help a horse perform better or feel better overall and should be discussed with the horse’s trainer and veterinarian.

Along with all other precautions for our special friends who are competing, make sure you bring along some of our Natural Horse Fly Spray – it really is a life-saver while out on the road.

See you out there!