Flying here, flying there causing annoyance and biting wherever they go!! I’m sure you
all know what we’ve been trialling for this issue of Equine extra’s Big Test –
yes you’re correct, fly repellent accoutrements. From sprays to gel and masks
to rugs we’ve covered most bases to keep our equine friends from being
attacked.
Pesky Fly Removers!!
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Nettex
– Fly Repellent Advanced
The company says: An extra strength spray which offers long-lasting
repellency from biting insects, flies and midges and which is ideal for all
horses and ponies and particularly useful for those kept near ponds, streams
and waterways, where flying pest populations are much higher. This D.E.E.T
based high strength formula contains added moisturisers and conditioners, which
help to reduce evaporation and also help to control the release of the active
ingredients, therefore just one application may give your horse fly repellency
for up to 72 hours. RRP: £10.22 for
250ml, £16.47 for 500ml, £49.97 for 2L, £103.10 for 5L. www.nettexequine.com
Our tester,
Clare Chappelhow, says: I have found this to be the
most effective fly repellent of any I have tried, so it is definitely one for
the tack box at home and away. It was used on a broodmare who can be so
irritated by midges and flies that she will start to rub, but so far this has
made her a much happier horse. It has proved successful too with the riding
horses in the show/dressage ring when you definitely don’t want an agitated
horse. We have a field which has a watering hole in it that seems to attract
insects, so it was used on the horses there too and none were bothered by flies
when they were drinking, which I call a result. So, it has been used on a
variety of horses, spraying as required, sometimes just once a week and some
every few days. Easy to use & effective, what more do you need?
JHL
– Essential Combo Fly Rug
The company says: New, economically priced, and manufactured in a breathable,
tight weave mesh fabric. Features double front buckles with hook and loop neck
fastenings, removable leg straps, cross surcingles and tail flap. Colours: Blue.
Sizes: 5’6 – 7’0. RRP: £29.99. www.wefi.co.uk
Our tester, Barbara
Clarkson, says: This is a good quality horse wardrobe basic.
Made out of a soft narrow weave net it keeps flies away from the horse
whilst grazing or as I've also done, when used in the stable. It is cool
for the horse to wear and breathes well. A light but bright shade of pale
blue, it seems unattractive to our midges, which is great. The sheet
itself is not quite as deep as I'd have liked in the body and could have been
wider through the chest but is perfectly adequate, as is the neck cover which
could have been slightly more generous in length, however it works well. The
rug length was true to size. I've used it on a light/middleweight eventer
so not a large framed horse. The front buckles are slightly heavy in style for
the fabric but they haven't caused a problem. Repeated laundering has not
caused any unwanted deterioration in the quality of the fabric and the satin
protection strips have remained intact. Hard wear in the field hasn't
proved detrimental either and the sheet withstood kicks and pulls from other
horses' playful field antics very well. All in all a good piece of kit to
have.
Flyaway: Max Strength Fly & Midge Repellent Spray
The company says: Strongest
ever natural formula offering protection against flying and biting insects. Contains
natural Citronella Oil. Proven to be effective. Outperforms chemical
alternatives. HSE
approved for safety & effectiveness. Contains no substances listed on FEI banned
list. 500ml; 1ltr & 2.5ltr refill. RRP: £12.50 - £30.00. www.horseware.com
Our tester, Emma Woolley, says: I can’t rate this fly spray highly enough. We’ve
tried it on so many different horses and I can definitely say it works! One of
our chestnut mares is particularly prone to getting terrible fly bites, which
can be a problem especially if they’re on the saddle area. So we used this on
her. We turned her out without fly spray and she suffered bites, but happily
when we used this on her she was absolutely fine. This was enough to convince
me and we’ll certainly ensure we always have some now.
WeatherBeeta
- ComFiTec Airflow Mask
The company
says: Soft durable polyester mesh mask
with adjustable touch tape closure for ultimate fit. Colours: Grey/Blue/Grey
or White/Sea Green/Pink. Sizes: Pony, Cob, Full. RRP: £14.99. www.weatherbeeta.co.uk
Our
tester, Jon Fletcher, says: This
mask has been very easy to fit and has a strong adjustable, touch tape
fastening, meaning it can also be removed quickly if needed.
My horses range from
15.2 to 16.2 and are of light/medium build; the cob size fitted them all well
and looks very neat. It
does an excellent job of keeping flies out of the eyes and ears, while still
giving them good visibility and not interfering with their eyes. Washes well and dries quickly and is made of
a durable material.
Cavalor -
FlyLess
The company says: A highly effective insect repellent spray which
protects horse and rider. It contains the active ingredient icaridin, a proven
deterrent against horseflies, flies, mosquitoes, ticks and other insects. It is
effective for up to 10 hours for humans and up to 24 hours for horses. The
non-sticky, non-greasy formula is gentle on the skin and won’t stain clothing. RRP:
£24.00 (500ml). www.zebraproducts.co.uk – for
stockist details
Our tester, Pam
Harrison, says: This was tested
on two horses, one very attractive to biting insects, the other not so affected
and both were comfortable in the paddock through the day and in the stables
during the ‘midgy’ evening period. It’s quite strong smelling, so it’s easy to
assess whether it’s still on the coat after a few hours. It was definitely
evident on cloudy days, but on hot sunny days it didn’t seem to last quite as
long, but that’s hardly a surprise.
It didn’t
leave a residue in the coat and the spray was tolerated by both horses without
any problem – definitely one for turnout and also competition days as it does
last.
Equithème – Sweet Itch Sheet
The company
says:
Made from
soft, 100% tightly weaved polyester to prevent even the smallest of insects
coming through. Protection from UV rays for horses with sensitive skin is also
guaranteed plus the rug is extremely dense, absorbent and vents away any sweat
whilst still being comfortable for the horse to wear. Offering a close fit to
the horse’s body and providing coverage from neck to tail and under the belly,
this sheet is an essential for your horse’s summer rug wardrobe. The sheet is
secured with adjustable elastic straps with PVC clips between the rear legs and
around the belly and neck. Features include zips on the horse’s back and a hook
and clip anchoring system on the girth straps that interlock with the sheet so
that the rug remains in position during the horse’s antics in the field.
Colours: Light Grey, Black/White Zebra design and Brown. Sizes: 4’9 to 6’9.
RRP: £52.90.www.equitheme.co.uk
Our tester, Terri Graham, says: A very well constructed rug which covers pretty much
all of the horse with a reasonable amount of room for comfort. The very fine,
but fairly durable material, stops even the smallest bugs having a meal from
your horse. It has head, neck, body, belly, rump and tail coverage, hasn't
rubbed shoulders or face but has reduced irritation and stress from flies and
midges. I do wish the manufacturer had included a fitting map in the very
efficient zip bag the rug came in though, as it was like assembling a flat pack
- but for an impatient horse; suffice to say the humour wore thin! Also as a
thought but probably not practical, but why not have a zip closure for head and
neck so much easier to get on than trying to roll up over the head and pull down
the neck. Not an easy task on a tall three year old! However, after saying all
that, the rug didn't overheat the horse and came in a really dark colour.
Washed well, dried easily, off early a.m. back on to go out p.m. Not bulky and rolls
up into its neat round storage bag. A very efficient addition to the war on
bugs and comfort for the horse.
Wildwash - PRO Flea & Bug Repellent
for Horse & Dogs
The company says: For this product ingredients have been chosen from
four continents that have been selected as the most effective insect repelling
botanicals in their country of origin. By combining these together, the
company has created an effective natural Flea and Bug Repellent for horses and
dogs. The revolutionary blend of plants and herbs uses ingredients such as
Peppermint and Lavender which work together to help deter fleas, flies, mites
and ticks. Apply freely to skin and coat to deter fleas, flies, mites, ticks
and mosquitoes. Use as often as necessary. Avoid contact with eyes. 300ml. RRP:
£14.95. www.wildwash.co.uk
Our tester, Susan Lacey, says: Finally a fly repellent that actually works, so yes
I’m really impressed with this. Smells really nice and it’s easy to apply
and I never had any problems with the spray nozzle, unlike other products.
Worked really well against midges - this has been tested on my horses, also on
humans including baby, great as all natural no harmful products so no
irritation to anybody. I have one bottle which permanently lives in the pram so
I have it wherever we go, much to everybody’s relief. Would I go out and buy
this product myself YES also would really highly recommend to others. PS.
It’s great on dogs too!!
VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDEDTop of Form
Noble Outfitters – Guardsman Fly Mask
The company
says: Made from heavy
duty UV coated mesh to fight wear and tear and featuring a contoured nose to
prevent insect penetration, plus the removable nose attachment is also UPF 25+
protected. Flex Spline Technology creates a
canopy
away from horse’s eyes and the heavy-duty UV coated mesh is built to last with
Anti-rub guard rip stop protection. Practicality is
matched with luxury as the fly mask also benefits from a fleece lining on the
crown and nose to ensure maximum comfort for your horse. Colours: Black and
Gold. Sizes: S-XXL (see size chart on website). RRP: around £29.95. www.nobleoutfitters.co.uk
Our tester, Chris Grant, says: This arrived just in time for the arrival of the flies
and has been a god send for one of our ponies who is really agitated by them.
Having never thought to buy a fly mask before I am now beginning to wonder why?
Once you get over your pony rocking the ‘space raider’ look, it is an excellent
product and brilliantly made. The first thing I liked is that the mask fits
without a headcollar and has a superb design giving maximum coverage of the
pony’s face. It fastens securely under the horse’s jowl with ample room still
for jaw movement. It is cleverly made to give a canopy over the eyes preventing
any rubbing and still allowing maximum vision. The mesh is heavy duty giving it
great durability and is cleverly made with UV protection. Its other great
feature is the removable nose, giving you the choice of the extra coverage or
not. On the whole a great product and a useful one to have about for the fly
hating horse.
Flyaway – Max Strength Fly & Midge Gel
The company
says: Strongest ever natural formula offering the ultimate
protection against flying and biting insects. Contains natural Citronella Oil. Outperforms chemical alternatives. Safe for you, your
horse & the environment. HSE approved for safety &
effectiveness.
Contains no substances listed on FEI
banned list. 500ml. RRP: £16.75. www.horseware.com
Our
tester, Rachel Thomas, says: What
a nice way to apply fly repellent. The gel smelled pleasant and was easy to
use, and it does seem to last, obviously depending on how much you use!! It
does seem to help with the fight against flies, although I do have to say for
all over coverage I prefer the spray as it’s a lot easier to apply and covers a
bigger area. However, this was extremely good for using in the ears and around
and along the tummy line, where flies seem to attack the most! A handy pot to
have around.
Masta – Fieldmasta Fly Rug
The company
says: The clever dome neck™ helps to prevent mane
loss as it takes pressure off the mane, and increases air circulation to
prevent the hair follicles becoming starved of oxygen and consequently falling
out. 1200D waterproof/breathable ripstop polyester along top line to
protect against summer showers. A durable fly mesh lower section gives
protection against flies whilst encouraging air flow. Memory foam sections
at the wither relieve pressure, whilst pass through surcingles at the belly
prevent the rug from being pulled tight behind the elbow and in front of the
stifle. Full chest adjustment to fit perfectly to your horse
then fastens with easy quick clips. Tri vent
shoulder gusset for an enhanced fit, freedom of movement and prevention of
shoulder rub. The tri vent fits above the point of shoulder and articulates
with the horse’s movement. Anti-rub lining which promotes a
clean and shiny coat. Silver. Sizes: 4’6-7’3.
RRP: £115.00. www.harryhall.com
Our tester, Ben Hobday, says: I have to say that I have been really impressed with
this rug. When I first saw it I didn’t really think it looked like a standard
fly rug, however the differences have been totally beneficial. It has a fixed
neck which I much prefer and, as well as this, it has extended material over
the crest of the neck to avoid tightness and mane rubbing. This means it sits
nicely on the crest without slipping down therefore giving the horses freedom
to move their necks. There are two clip fastenings at the front of the chest
with the options of tightening them via buckles as well as two metal hooks that
are quick and easy to clip on to. The rug has crossed belly straps that loop
through a rubber slot allowing the sides to hang down and cover the body rather
that folding up tight to the belly. It also has adjustable leg straps that
cross between the back legs and which are easy to clip on. A tail flap protects
against any tail rubbing. One of the main highlight of this rug is that it is
waterproof so it can deal with a quick change in weather. This is fantastic for
us as we have a busy yard, so when there is a downpour we don’t panic and have
to bring the horse in. The rug also boats a fly mesh section along the bottom
which not only keeps the flies at bay but also keeps the horse cool. As the rug
is slightly heavier due to the waterproof fabric, this mesh section just
lightens it up and makes it more breathable. This is a rug that pulls out all
the stops and more. It covered all the weathers thrown at us these summer
months to date and because of this it is a MUST HAVE.
The company says: The Spray offers absolute
protection against all insects and horse flies. An optimised blend of active
ingredients guarantees stay-off effect and long-lasting effectiveness for up to
7 hours. Due to the use of a stay-on polymer, the long-term technology ensures
permanent adhesion and a guaranteed effect even when the horse sweats. The
strong repelling effect results from a special combination of the in-house
fragrance formula with two active ingredients whose capabilities have been
proven in multiple tests. Despite its powerful reputation it is gentle on the
skin even for sensitive horses. 500ml. RRP £18.99
The Durative is an insect repellent gel with an
especially high concentration of active natural ingredients which protect the
horse against mosquitoes, horse flies, flies and ticks, even during
perspiration. This fly repellent gel gives the fullest in protection thanks to
a 10% concentration of active ingredients for up to 7 hours. The sponge
included allows the gel to be applied easily even onto sensitive areas, without
soiling the hands. Despite its powerful reputation it is gentle on the skin
even for sensitive horses. 500ml. RRP: £18.99. www.agrihealth.ie
Our tester, Paul Malone,
says:
When I mentioned to colleagues that I was lucky
enough to have been allocated these products to test, I was met with jealousy
from all! It seems to be acknowledged that this is the only fly repellent that
actually works and in my experience, I would absolutely agree. For those not already in the know, this stuff
really does the job well, and tends to stay effective even when horses sweat
during the warmer months. It seems that the people from leovet know one of the
horses I’ve been schooling since the turn of the year... He’s more than a
little sensitive and objects to sprays. So, the pot of gel plus sponge made
life much easier and allowed a liberal application of fly repellent with
minimal fuss! Both the spray and the gel are incredibly easy to apply – both go
on with absolute minimal effort. I must also remark that a little really goes a
long way. I’ve not found it at all necessary to apply this very liberally like
some other fly repellents which can sometimes result in false economy. A
sparing application does the job very effectively and seems to stay put
sufficiently long whilst turned out.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Carr Day Martin – Flygard Extra Strength
The company says: Contains an optimum level of 20% DEET for powerful,
long-lasting protection against midges and biting insects. Get the perfect
coverage and ultimate protection, even in hard to reach areas, using the new
Equimist 360 technology. 600ml. RRP: £16.75. www.carrdaymartin.co.uk
Our tester, Caroline Mosley, says: My horses hate sprays so I was pleased that this wasn't so
noisy to upset them. The new design of spray means you squeeze the trigger and
it delivers a slow stream so you don’t have to repeatedly pump the trigger therefore
it’s so much quieter to use. The smell is also not overpowering, which is
a problem I find when using it in a horsebox on a hot day as it makes the horse
end up honking, but this was just fine. I didn't notice any flies when
using it so it worked, and didn't leave a residue. I would purchase this
again.
Horze - Freja Combo Fly Sheet
The company says: Protect your horse from summer's worst insects with
this complete fly sheet combo set. The full coverage includes a belly guard and
a detachable hood. These add-ons offer complete protection from both UV rays
and insects. UV protection and cool mesh fabric make this sheet ideal for hot
summer days of peaceful grazing. The front double T-buckle closures, belly
surcingles, oversize tail flap, leg straps and wide hook-and-loop fasteners at
the neck keep this sheet securely in place. Sizes: 115cm-165cm. RRP: £68.99. www.horze.co.uk
Our
tester, Caroline Powell, says: The
fly sheet was delivered in the nick of time as the clegs arrived in force
and we were able to use it to its full potential. There was a feeling of
durability when picking it up for the first time, the strong mesh poly fabric
which keeps the flies and the UV rays at bay. Its touch tape fastening
and t-clips are of a sturdy quality and were complemented with a blue and
white webbing which was sensible weight for the poly fabric. The shoulders had
a very generous gusset which was satin-lined helping keep my pet hate away
(shoulder rubs) the oversized tail guard also adds to the protection from flies
while the detachable neck rug (also satin lined) meant the rug really did give
full body coverage. The sheet held a lovely shape when we put it on the horses
and was adjustable enough to cover a huge range of shapes and sizes. It
gave me the confidence it was going to stay in place and do its job for a
considerable time.
NAF Off - Deet Power Performance
The company says: When you need all day
protection against flies and insect menace look no further. This powerful, long
lasting, effective protection against flies, horse flies and insect menace is
easy to apply by spraying evenly over the body. Deet is renowned for
being the world’s best known repellent which is why we give you this fully
registered and approved fly repellent to ensure you and your horse get the most
out of the warmer months. Liquid or Gel form. RRP’s: 750ml spray - £17.50; 2.5l
refill - £33.50; 5l refill - £63.99; 750g - £16.50. www.naf-equine.eu/uk
Our tester, Gail
Smith, says: I must
admit to being very impressed with this product. Most fly sprays I’ve tried over
the years don’t seem to do much and the horses come in with bites all over
them. This, however, seemed to do the trick from the beginning as they weren’t
covered in fly bites when I brought them in from the field. I put it on in the
morning and they came in at teatime, still without any bites which was
wonderful. This means it is long lasting which is important. It is in a very
easy to use container which sprays out evenly so they get an even covering of
the product. It smells pleasant enough too and is good value for money. I will
be continuing to use this fly spray in the future as it did such a great job.
WeatherBeeta
- ComFiTec Airflow Fly Rug
The company says: Soft durable polyester mesh with belly wrap and full wrap tail flap
for premium protection and elastic insert at wither for additional comfort when
grazing. Ezi-Clip front closure, traditional side gusset for freedom of
movement, 210T nylon lined shoulders, mane and tail flap and elasticated,
adjustable and removable leg straps. Grey/Blue/Grey
& White/Sea Green/Pink. Sizes: 4’0 to 7’3. RRP: £77.99. www.weatherbeeta.co.uk
Our tester, Val Williams, says: This really is a lovely well-made fly rug. Constructed
using a soft but durable mesh, with a belly and full tail wrap to provide full
protection for your horse. Another good point to mention is that there is
an elastic insert in the wither so it makes the rug comfortable when grazing. One
of the things that I found most helpful is the Ezi-clip front closure which is
great and very simple and, yes Ezi, to use. It has elasticated adjustable
leg straps and a side gusset for freedom of movement. There are nylon
lined shoulders which stops those awful rub marks plus the tail flap is also
nylon lined which does stop the top of the tail being rubbed too. Last but not
least, the most important bit…it kept the horse midge and fly free, so as well
as being great-looking it does the job it was intended for too. All in all this
is a high quality rug and great value to boot.
