If you're talking western/buckaroo traditional, then: Yes and yes.
Hanging from the cinch it may brush off those pesky flies that horses go after with a hind foot, or even their head. Off the throatlatch? Similar deal.
Western, as well as most other traditional "dresses", like Arabian, Marwari...
I'll try it for sure, even though I'll look ridiculous with my English tack
I don't mind ridiculous if it keeps those little pains in the proverbial away. Modern repellants don't seem to work all that well.
I use a big shoo-fly under my saddle just because I like the look. I suppose if you really had a case of belly flies it might help, but for all intensive purposes, it just looks pretty. I wouldn't depend on it to repel flies.
It seems like I've seen some English style fly-swatters made from horse-hair that you carry in your hand like a crop. I actually think that might be useful because sometimes when flies land on your horse you would like something to swat them with. That would actually be more useful than a tassel or shoo-fly I would think.
I really depend on my fly spray. Preferably oil based (Pyrahna is my favorite).
My mare is a great fan of speed and the fly whisk looks too much like a crop
I tried riding her with a crop once, there was too much ... responsiveness, let's call it. Any excuse to zoom around is heartily embraced by her.
Thank you regardless, I'll remember it for when I get her trained enough.
I have an arabian native costume, and the thought of using it like on trails would make me sick :lol: they don't come cheap at all. And the get up is a little excessive for every day riding. I also find the tassels to be more of an annoyance rather than a help. You have to desensitize the horse to wearing such a set up.
We made our Arabian a native costume for a recent show. It was certainly not as pretty as what Tazzie just posted! When I was researching it, I discovered tassels were indeed added to tack as fly deterrents originally. However, I'm sure it wasn't long before they became purely ornamental since the placement of tassels in these costumes isn't going to do much for those pesky flies.
I was talking about Tazzies Arab getup, and other similar traditional tack. Of course, I wouldn't go all out like that
Around here (Balkansa) the village folk still ride and drive with tassels, usually red. They, however use fewer and they seem to be strategically placed.
I use tassels on the face, throat latch, girth and on either side do the bridle by the ears to help with flies while trail riding, and the shoo fly. That shoo fly was the best 15 bucks I ever spent on horse stuff!
I just started using Human high deet fly spray on my horses., esp, since in Canada we can't even get some of the horse fly sprays that are approved in the USA.
Thought of getting something like this, for my trail riding bridle
Yeah, those tassels are a bit much for just trail riding :lol: and I really only ride in it to practice and show in. It was fun riding in the snow though, where the tassels definitely wouldn't serve a purpose :wink:
But now when I think of tassels, I think of Arab native costumes. I would love to get the shoo fly though!
I have not found Bronco very effective, as it is water based. Will have to check on whether it has high DEET, because if it does, was not aware!
I use human repellent, made for the outdoorsman, with max deet available in Canada, I believe, to be 30%
When the nose flies are bad in Montana, usually late summer until frost in SE MT, I went to tying a piece of cheap dryer sheet on the chin strap of the bridle.
Nose flies don't like "April fresh" scent? I don't know. Because the dryer sheets are kind of stiff, so it isn't any flapping when I ride.
Far as tassels on 'traditional' tack, as in Arabian costume classes, I would think they were just decorative, as I don't think bugs were a major concern in the desert, but could be wrong!
Far as tassels on 'traditional' tack, as in Arabian costume classes, I would think they were just decorative, as I don't think bugs were a major concern in the desert, but could be wrong!
I remember seeing sand flies. I suspect there would be many more wherever there was livestock. I only got close to a couple of individual animals. Didn't get the chance to look closely at the herds and flocks we saw, or the big livestock market in Haffar-al-Batin.
Regarding the vaqueros tradition: I've learned recently that the tassel on the off side of the mecate/bit combo is to counterbalance the weight of the "get down rope" on the near side.
For those who use shoo-fly tassels on your cinch or throat latch, dousing the tassels in an oil based fly spray(like Pyrahna) makes them a little more effective.
The oil will attract the dirt and make your shoo-fly loOK a little greasy or stringy but you can wash them in a mild shampoo to clean them up and carefully pick out the tangles.
Status
Not open for further replies.
You have insufficient privileges to reply here.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
The Horse Forum
3.4M posts
92.6K members
Since 2006
A forum community dedicated to horse owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about breeding, grooming, reviews, health, behavior, housing, adopting, care, classifieds, and more!