Warm weather means more time for riding. But it also means the return of mosquitoes, ticks, flies, gnats and other biting nuisances that can make horses miserable. In fact, flies alone drink four cups of horse blood every ten days.1
Flies attacking a horse's face
Not only do flying pests annoy equines, they also carry harmful diseases such as West Nile Virus (WNV), Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), and Western Equine Encephalitis.
© 2016 by Carien Schippers
Not only do these pests annoy our equine partners, but they also carry harmful diseases such as West Nile Virus (WNV), Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), and Western Equine Encephalitis. In 2019, 90 cases of WNV were reported in horses in 25 different states.2 EEE cases in horses totaled 184 in 24 states.3
The best defense against diseases transmitted by common pests is to consult with a veterinarian for a geographically appropriate vaccination program. But, measures can also be taken to help reduce the threat by reducing the number of pests in and around the barn.
Brad Barkemeyer, Barkemeyer Performance Horses, Scottsdale, AZ, says horses perform better and are happier when they aren’t distracted and irritated by biting flies and other insects. His at-home remedies for the situation include the following:
- To help protect the entire property, use a permethrin-based premise spray. When using a hand-held sprayer to treat areas outside the barn, be sure to avoid bee and aquatic habitats.
- Spray the stall walls and around feeders to discourage flies from gathering. Be sure to sweep up any spilled grain, supplements or treats.
- Apply a light spray to brushes prior to grooming. This will result in consistent, full coverage. An added bonus is a polished, clean hair coat.
- Consider providing additional protection with fly masks and fly sheets.
Barkemeyer also suggests choosing fly spray carefully. “Not all fly sprays have the same ingredients and some are more appropriate for specific situations. I like using UltraShield EX® by Absorbine® for effective protection from flies and other insects whether at home, on the road, or at competitions.”
For more information and savings on all varieties of UltraShield, visit UltraShieldEX.com.
1Townsend L. Horse flies and deer flies. University of Kentucky ENTFACT-511.
2USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. 2019 Equine Case Reports of West Nile Virus.
3USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. 2019 Equine Case Reports of Eastern Equine Encephalitis.
About W. F. Young, Inc.
Founded in 1892 by Wilbur Fenelon Young and his wife, Mary Ida, W. F. Young, Inc. has manufactured and distributed quality animal health care products for over 125 years. The company is recognized as a worldwide leader in innovative, specialized animal health care brands – including Absorbine® Veterinary Liniment, UltraShield® fly control, ShowSheen® grooming products, Leather Therapy® leather care, Hooflex® hoof care, and The Missing Link®supplements – that improve wellness and enhance the quality and enjoyment of life for people and their animals. For more information, visit www.absorbine.com and www.themissinglinkproducts.com.
Press release provided by Colleen Scott - Signal Theory