You can relax in the saddle while enjoying a ride on your horse on a sunny day. A horse suddenly flies onto your horse’s back. The horse wags his tail, and suddenly the calm of just a few moments ago is interrupted as the flying pest bites your horse’s back.

Do you feel the same

It can be difficult to keep your barn free from insects, especially in the middle of summer. Flies can be persistent! There are six easy strategies that you can use to reduce fly and insect populations in your horse barn. These top tips will help you control their wicked, winged ways.

1. PROACTIVELY REMOVE MANURE

Daily manure removal and moist bedding to keep horse stalls clean and reduce fly-attracting smells.

Remove manure from pastures regularly. Spreading or raking manure on large fields and paddocks can help dry them. This will make it less conducive to the growth of egg-laying flies.

2. HANG FLY TRAPS AND FLY TAP

To lure the flies away, use horse flytraps. To lure horseflies away from your barn and horses, hang traps far from it. Place the traps at least 4 feet above the ground. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for placement.

Hang fly tape strips from high places like ceilings and rafters to catch the flies in your barn.

3. INSTALL INDOOR FANS.

Ceiling and portable fans can help deter flies. The circulating air makes it hard for them to fly and land. Flies can be prevented from landing on horses by hanging a barn fan above their stall.

To reduce fire risk, ensure that fans and power cords have been specifically designed for agricultural use. Also, keep them out of reach of horses.

4. MAINTAIN A TIDY GARDEN.

Dropped grain, equine supplements or medication should be removed from feed rooms and stalls. Regularly empty and scrub water buckets and feed tubs.

To prevent flies from accessing your trash cans as food sources, ensure they have tight-fitting lids. Clean trash cans regularly to get rid of the garbage and remove unpleasant odours.

5. PREMIUM AND FLY SPRAYS MUST BE USED

Use a premises spray to kill adult flies and deter new ones quickly. You can use some on-horse fly treatments as a premise spray to repel and kill gathering flies.

Fly spray for horses is a quick and simple solution for protecting against flies. Spray the entire horse with the spray.

Fly spray should be applied slowly and gently to the legs. Some horses may initially be afraid of the noise. Apply fly spray to a damp cloth to prevent the flies from getting into your horse’s ears and face.

6. FLY GEAR OFFERS PROTECTION

Fly gear provides more than protection from flies. It also protects horses from UV rays. Some brands of masks and sheets will block up to 70% of the harmful UV rays. There are many fly protection options available for horses to protect them from the harmful bite of a fly, including a flysheet, mask and fly boots.

Regularly check the fit of your fly masks, fly boots and fly blankets to ensure that they are comfortable and don’t rub or cause soreness.