Horse Fly spray?

[FirestarterKY]

Hi everyone!
I'm wondering if any of you know a GOOD home recipe for a fly spray for my horses.
The horse flies especially are eating them up, which really can be dangerous....they frantically stop drop and roll no matter where they are, next to a fence, then get themselves caught up in that.
Shy just now dropped right next tot he barn and rolled over and you should have seen her kicking the barn as she rolled all the way over to get the fly off.
I washed them down real good with the hose and water only yesterday, which washed a lot of sweat off.
They LOVE the water hose.
Anyway, too, this is the first year I've not run to Rural King and spent 50 on my fav concoction of sprays that really work.
They spend a lot of time in the barn away from the flies, which is good, in that they arent picking up a lot of grass fat weight. My horses run on the heavy side.
ANyway, any help, muchooo appriciated!

Karen

[WRTN]

Karen,

My daughter and I have been experimenting like you as well. So far we have learned that our guys Mr. Mingo, Mrs. Arya, Mrs. Honey all LOVE being sprayed the most, especially Mr. Mingo.

I know of nothing home made that works againt these crazy flys. This is the worst I have seen them in years!

I have been putting up the sticky strips that you pull out of the 2 inch tube. These seem to attract a LOT of the gnats (which are REAL bad this year). They seem to put a small dent in them.

I put out 2 of the black light flourescent electric bug zappers which seems to get a LOT of gnats. The chickens LOVE the smorgasborg of bug under the zappers in the morning. ;D

I also have spread some Fly Predators which put a big dent in the house flys as well as some of the other smaller biting flys.

We also put EquiSpot on them. It is more or less similar to a version of FrontLine for horses. We noticed a HUGE difference and improvement with the horses within a about 4 or 5 days of applying the EquiSpot. Prior to applying the EquiSpot, the poor horses were just covered with small bumps from flys biting them and the gnats and smaller flys were getting into their ears and making them miserable. Now their ears are MUCH better and I would estimate about 80% more or less of the bumps from fly bites are gone.

They come over to where the hose can reach them now just to get cooled off during the day when it is real hot as opposed to seeking relief from the flies.

They also seem MUCH more happier and less bothered by the flies.

That is all that we are doing. Sorry about no home made stuff. If you know of something home made that works well, be sure to post it here and I will do the same.

[annabella1]

My future sister in law keeps horses and she does the following to repel flies. mix equal parts vinegar and water and citronella oil (you can get citronella oil as refills for those tiki lamps that repel bugs). put it in a spray bottle and shake it up before you spray it on your horses. Add fresh garlic cloves to the horses feed and put about 1/2 cup of vinegar in a bucket of water for the horses to drink daily. The garlic causes an odor in the horses sweat that repels flies and the vinegar changes the PH level of the horses blood and makes the flies not want to bite. I hope this helps.

[FirestarterKY]

Been off line for a while.....thanks a ton, both of you!!!!
Canceled enternet and all extra phone features, though, took internet back today.......it really is worth 12.00 per month.
Penny pinching/freaking out, which ever....
again, thanks!

Karen

[FirestarterKY]

FOUND THESE!!!

Homemade Show Sheen

Ingredients:
1/4 cup Hair Conditioner (Suave works best)
1/4 cup Baby Oil
2 tablespoons Vinegar (to keep flies away, this is optional)
1/4 cup Water

Instructions:
Combine and put in a spray bottle.

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Citrus Insect Repellant Spray

2 cups light mineral oil
1/2 cup lemon juice
2 tsp. citronella oil
2 tsp. eucalyptus essential oil
2 tsp. lemon dish soap

Combine all ingredients in a spray bottle. Label. To use gently shake and spray on your horse avoiding his eyes.

NOTE: Do not use this spray before a show as it attracts dust.

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Mosquito Repellent

2 cups witch hazel
1 1/2 tsp citronella essential oil
1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar

This makes 16 fl. oz.

Combine into a spray bottle. Shake vigorously before using. Requires no refrigeration.

Apply liberally.

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Fabric softener sheets work as a great insect repellant. Before you take your horse riding tie one one on his headstall and stick one in your back pocket.

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Fly Spray

1/2 teaspoon oil of myrrh
2 cups water
1/2 cup cider vinegar

1/4 teaspoon of citronella oil