The Big Test - Fly, fly, fly away...
Pesky little things– flies. Buzzing around causing distress to most horses and midges and horse flies (clegs) are worse! Our panel members have been testing both new items and market favourites and here are just a few of their findings...
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Horse & Pony Direct – Insect Away
The company says: Contains DEET and keeps flies, horseflies, gnats and other biting insects away for up to 12 hours. Its powerful formula contains tea tree oil, making it kind to skin and it comes in a convenient trigger spray which is a perfect size for everyday use. 500ml. RRP: £6.99. www.horseandponydirect.com
Our tester, Peter Bulman, says: On a dry and sunny day with little wind, (Yes, really) the horses were put out without fly hoods etc. Checking a couple of hours later, when it had well warmed up, yes they were being pestered by flies. The spray was applied direct to the fly favoured areas and by hand around the face area. On checking over the rest of the day, there were no flies evident. The spray itself has a good positive action with very good spray pattern and particle size and does not have an intense smell. Overall a very good bit of kit.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Noble Outfitters – Guardsman Fly Mask
The company says: This revolutionary new mask is made from heavy duty UV coated mesh to fight wear and tear and features a contoured nose to prevent insect penetration. Its removable nose attachment is also UPF 25+ protected. Practicality is matched with luxury as it also benefits from a fleece lining on the crown and nose to ensure maximum comfort for your horse.
Additional features include: Flex Spline Technology creates canopy away from horse’s eyes; Contoured nose limits insect penetration; Easy hang bridle loop for storage or wear with headcollar/bridle; Strong double-sided hook & loop for secure attachment and Heavy-duty UV coated mesh is built to last with Anti-rub guard rip stop protection. Black or Noble Gold. Sizes: S-XXL. RRP: £19.95 without ears and £21.95 with ears. www.nobleoutfitters.co.uk
Our tester, Pam Harrison, says: I was actually sent two of these – how lucky can you get? – which were tested on a16.3hh sport horse stallion (he had a black one without ears) and a 15.3hh thoroughbred mare (she had a gold one with ears) and the first thing you notice is the quality! The one on the mare stayed firmly put, however often she rolled and she clearly found it very comfortable. The one on the stallion proved how durable they are when, as stallions do, his stallion pal in the neighbouring paddock pulled it off whilst ‘chatting’ over the electric fence!
The rigid splines easily keep the mask away from the horses’ eyes and although I didn’t routinely use the detachable nose attachment, it is easy to pop in place and would be ideal for horses who suffer from sunburn on the muzzle! The price is fabulous, so what are you waiting for?
RECOMMENDED
Sentemol – Flyzone XL Outdoor Fly Trap
The company says: An easy to use and highly effective way of reducing nuisance fly numbers around your property without the need for chemicals. The bag uses a protein lure to attract the fly towards and then in through a funnel shaped opening at the top of the bag, When the fly is inside the bag, it can’t escape. To ‘activate’ just add the bait and water to the bag and hang up outside. Both sunlight and warmth are required for best results. When the solution has been activated, it will continue to attract flies for up to 12 weeks. After this time, it should be disposed of. RRP: £9.00
www.horseflytrap.co.uk
Our tester, Terri Graham, says: Although glorious weather up here on and off through the test period there was still a chilly wind, so the bugs have not really got going yet. I did find the fly zone a bit fiddly and fragile to assemble, but the fly bait once mixed with the warm water was suitably stinky stuff and should have attracted any right-minded bugs that were venturing out looking for a meal! It is not the most robust piece of kit and has been somewhat frayed by the wind swirling it around the yard. It has trapped a few flies but not as many as I had anticipated, and over the test period we have repositioned it in different areas of the yard but with still very limited success. It’s probably a little too early in the bug calendar yet so I hope to see great things from it soon.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Sentemol – MT Trap
The company says: The portable solution to control horseflies. It can be used with the larger H-Trap to extend the fly protection area, but can also be used on its own at home, around the yard and at competitions to help keep horseflies away. The black ball in the centre absorbs and then emits the sun’s heat making the horsefly think that it is a warm blooded animal. The horsefly lands on the ball but, when she’s unable to feed from it, she flies up and away, only to be guided into a collection chamber via the funnel shaped cover over the ball. Chemical free and can be used year on year to help keep horseflies away by catching them, and reducing populations as the female is caught. Available with, or without, a stand. RRP: from £60.00. www.horseflytrap.co.uk
Our tester, Terri Graham, says: Throughout the test period this has been hanging in a relatively sheltered sunny yard. It is a robust item and consists of a small rugby shaped ball (which comes with a small hand pump to inflate), a conical shaped green plastic cover (that fits over the ball) which attaches with hook/loop collar to a metal ring inside which sits a round container. A metal hook slips through a loop on the ball and provides the means to hang the trap wherever it thought to be most effective. The plus side to this is that you can try different areas of the yard for most efficient use, This is a very simple, but effective and pretty environment friendly, item which, due to the odd weather conditions we have had, has had limited success thus far. However, I can see that it does work and I am certain that once the bug season hits its stride it will prove very useful in keeping the horses comfortable.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Absorbine – Ultrashield
The company says: The ultimate insecticide for use around horses to protect against irritating and biting insects. It contains active ingredients Permethrin and Pyrethrin, providing instant “knock-down” when insects come into contact with it, as well as a long lasting protective “shield”. The product offers all-round protection in equestrian premises, stables and barns, and also in dog sleeping quarters. 946ml spray. RRP: £24.85. www.absorbine.co.uk
Our tester, Pippa Hahn, says: With the unseasonably cold weather we have been having even by County Durham standards, I have not yet been able to test this as thoroughly as I would have liked. However, I can say that it definitely works and that midges died on contact with the door frames of the stables, where I had sprayed. We have not had many flies yet this year so I am unable to confirm its use with them, however I have regularly sprayed it all around the dog's kennel which appears to be insect free, much to the dog’s delight.
VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
NAF - NAF Off DEET Power Performance Spray and Gel
The company says: Powerful, long lasting defence against flies, horse flies and insect menace for all day protection. A high specification equine solution based on DEET, probably the best known and most widely tested insect repellent in the world. RRP: 750ml Spray £16.99 & 750g Gel £15.99. www.naf-uk.com
Our tester, Caroline Mosley, says: I was expecting these products to have a strong smell that would make me sneeze but I’m pleased to say they didn’t! The spray comes out as a white liquid but disappears very quickly leaving very little residue. I found the bottle easy to use, but the gel for me was even better as my horse hates sprays around his face. I used it for his ears and even put it onto the browband of my bridle. It too left no residue and seems to work! I did wash my hands after use as advised on the gel, and it washed off very easily. I would definitely use this again.
VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Horse & Pony Direct – Sweet Itch/Midge Stopper
The company says: Easy to use and is applied directly to the horse or pony’s skin to protect against biting midges. Ideal for use in spring/ summer when there is increased potential for irritation, it provides long-lasting cover and a physical barrier against biting midges to sweet itch prone horses and ponies. 1000ml. RRP: £8.99. www.horseandponydirect.com
Our tester, Denise Richardson, says: This is really easy to use, either spray direct on the horses skin or, like I did, on to a clean cloth then rub the horse all over. I used it on one of my young horses recently, because with the warm weather the flies and midges are everywhere. It is very effective particularly on midges; they stayed off him for quite a while, because it seems to be long lasting. It’s very competitively priced too. I used it first thing in the morning when I was feeding up and late afternoon for evening feeds. It was excellent at keeping the little biting beggers off me too !!! Quite a pleasant smell to me, but not to the midges. Lasts a long time and a good sized bottle. A must have product for the stable, field or out competing. I will be buying another soon!
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Moorland Rider – Fly Whisk
The company says: Help reduce the irritation caused by flies during ridden exercise. The whisk has a rubber grip handle making it easy to hold and a soft synthetic hair swish that can be used to keep flies away from the horse’s neck, rump and head. As an extra bonus, it can also be used as a riding crop. Available in six colours. RRP: £14.95. www.moorlandrider.co.uk
Our tester, Josella Scott, says: What can I say about this? You will either love it or hate it. Be warned, you have to remind yourself there is what looks like a 'blackbird' stuck on the end of this whip. The first horse I used it on decided it was far too scarey and we were so forward going that no flies were able to keep up with us! The second, thankfully, took no offence to neither sight nor the sound. It then was very effective at whisking flies away and I must admit I can see why this type of whip is used a lot in hotter climes.
This feature first appeared in the July 2016 issue of Equine magazine. If you would like to read the full feature, back issues are available for secure online purchase at www.theequinestore.co.uk where you can also subscribe to Equine.
