Solutions are available to reduce pests on summer trail rides

By Colette Lefebvre

Nevada Daily Mail

Summer riding usually has more than just rider and horse. Flying insects often want to come along for the ride.

Fly spray for the rider, fly spray for the horse, roll on for the muzzle and ears, ear net or bonnet for the equine and typically a leafy stick for the rider to swish away pests that buzz around the horses head and neck. Eventually every rider has had an experience where flies have overrun their chances and so they resort to the old, take off at a canter/gallop in the hope of outrunning the pests. It works temporarily -- a cantering horse can outrun a swarm of gnats or flies. Experts advise riders to utilize an integrated fly control program which includes repellents and physical barriers.

Most repellents do not kill biting insects but are designed to deter them from going near a horse. Most of these products contain essential oils such as citronella, and synthetic ingredients.

Repellent insecticides which include pyrethrins are insect-killing compounds that are actually derived from chrysanthemums and their longer-lasting counterparts, pyretroids. Then there are short-acting products that are typically used daily and contain vapor-type repellents. The spray evaporates quickly which creates a "cloud" above the skin which is used to repel flies even before they land on the horse. Longer acting products can last for days. These products utilize the "cloud" like vapor quality of the short term products and last longer. Bill Warner of Farnam told Equus magazine, "Short acting repellents tend to have low levels of pyrethrins or repellents, and some may contain a little permethrin. They tend to last a few hours to a day at most and are labeled for daily application. The longer lasting ones may have a higher percentage effective ingredients, more specialized formulas and longer retreatment intervals."

Warner advises trail riders and those that are spending time with their horse outdoors to make use of a repelling agent. Most of the shorter acting products are advised for these ventures. Sprays are the most popular form of fly control because they can be applied easily all over the horses body. On the face, head and chin its advisable to utilize a roll on or a gel product such as Swat.

For added protection for a horse have mesh coverings. Fly masks like those used for turnout are now available for riding. Ear coverings and or bonnets, which are made typically of crocheted cotton or nylon mesh -- some have fringe that hangs down to brush flies away -- may be used as well.

Fly collars, like flea collars for dogs fit loosely around the horses neck. There are also quarter scrim sheets, that attach to the back of the saddle and cover the hindquarters and rear area of the horse.

Riders may also purchase, leg wraps, belly covers, and body covers. It is important to note that some horses may be allergic to certain repellents, it is imperative to test a small amount of the product on the horse's skin.

Nevada Daily Mail

Summer riding usually has more than just rider and horse. Flying insects often want to come along for the ride.

Fly spray for the rider, fly spray for the horse, roll on for the muzzle and ears, ear net or bonnet for the equine and typically a leafy stick for the rider to swish away pests that buzz around the horses head and neck. Eventually every rider has had an experience where flies have overrun their chances and so they resort to the old, take off at a canter/gallop in the hope of outrunning the pests. It works temporarily -- a cantering horse can outrun a swarm of gnats or flies. Experts advise riders to utilize an integrated fly control program which includes repellents and physical barriers.

Most repellents do not kill biting insects but are designed to deter them from going near a horse. Most of these products contain essential oils such as citronella, and synthetic ingredients.

Repellent insecticides which include pyrethrins are insect-killing compounds that are actually derived from chrysanthemums and their longer-lasting counterparts, pyretroids. Then there are short-acting products that are typically used daily and contain vapor-type repellents. The spray evaporates quickly which creates a "cloud" above the skin which is used to repel flies even before they land on the horse. Longer acting products can last for days. These products utilize the "cloud" like vapor quality of the short term products and last longer. Bill Warner of Farnam told Equus magazine, "Short acting repellents tend to have low levels of pyrethrins or repellents, and some may contain a little permethrin. They tend to last a few hours to a day at most and are labeled for daily application. The longer lasting ones may have a higher percentage effective ingredients, more specialized formulas and longer retreatment intervals."

Warner advises trail riders and those that are spending time with their horse outdoors to make use of a repelling agent. Most of the shorter acting products are advised for these ventures. Sprays are the most popular form of fly control because they can be applied easily all over the horses body. On the face, head and chin its advisable to utilize a roll on or a gel product such as Swat.

For added protection for a horse have mesh coverings. Fly masks like those used for turnout are now available for riding. Ear coverings and or bonnets, which are made typically of crocheted cotton or nylon mesh -- some have fringe that hangs down to brush flies away -- may be used as well.

Fly collars, like flea collars for dogs fit loosely around the horses neck. There are also quarter scrim sheets, that attach to the back of the saddle and cover the hindquarters and rear area of the horse.

Riders may also purchase, leg wraps, belly covers, and body covers. It is important to note that some horses may be allergic to certain repellents, it is imperative to test a small amount of the product on the horse's skin.