Welcome To The Dreaded Fly Season
Summer is quickly approaching and while that means horse shows and plenty of daylight for those long evening rides, it also means the dreaded fly season is upon us!
If you live in the south like me you’ve already been seeing some summer temps and pesky insects. I’m convinced Atticus, my OTTB, is the most fly sensitive creature on the planet. A few summers ago during a photo shoot I warned the photographer he hated bugs, but I’ll do anything for a good photo. Somehow we ended up between the electric fence and the woods when a horse fly landed on him. Between the bucking and the rearing we all somehow survived, but it was certainly memorable. Perhaps you can relate.
Photo captured shortly after the near death experience
Over the years, Atticus’ sensitive nature has had me looking into fly management of every variety. Even if you don’t have a horse as sensitive as mine, keeping our equines comfy and fly free during these warmer months is definitely a priority, which is why I want to share some of my favorite fly management products with you.
Fly Predators are one of my favorite ways to battle these pesky insects. I used these for a few years with noticeable results and switched to a cheaper version made by a different company last year. I definitely noticed a difference and will be going back to the original Fly Predators made by Spalding Labs. However, make sure to do your research for where you live when deciding what type of Fly Predators will best suit your needs.
The Horseware Amigo Mio Fly Sheet is one of the sturdiest and reasonably priced fly sheets on the market, in my opinion. And trust me, I’ve been through A LOT. I have a few of these that I rotate so I can clean them, although- spoiler alert, most fly sheets are light colored and get dirty pretty quick if your horse sweats and rolls in the dirt (like mine).
I’ve tried countless fly boots over the years and the one I keep going back to are the Shoo Fly Leggins. They stay loose around the leg and really stand up to daily wear and tear. Mine have been lasting me approximately two years, so two spring through fall seasons.
I use natural fly spray whenever I can just to avoid/use less chemicals. The best one I’ve found is the Pyranha Zero Bite All Natural Fly Spray, and while it definitely works and I like the fact that it’s natural, the original Pyranha Wipe N Spray works the best.
Something I’m on the hunt for is the perfect fly mask. I just haven’t been able to find the perfect make/model for my horses yet, but I’m not giving up the search! One that I really like the look and price point of is the LeMieux Armour Shield Pro Full Mask Ears and Nose. If you have a mask you swear by, please tell me about it!
If there’s anything you’ve come across that you LOVE for fly protection, please don’t hesitate to let me know! I’m always looking for ways to keep my horses comfortable during these warmer, bug filled months!