My boy is itchy with flies in his ears as soon as I take off his ear/face mask from the paddock and to ride him is irksome to both of us due to neck shaking and discomfort.
So I'm getting him a fly veil today and see if that helps, as well as debug him, scratch his ears and see what I can see down there. I was just wondering if fly veils are allowed to be used during a test? I might mention it's only a few W/T tests. And outside during the peak of bug infestation.
What you can do is have all the veil on until you need to go into the arena and take it off just before. That will give you the best protection for the longest you are able to.
Ooh cheers for that. I'll do that for sure. It gives him too much relief right now and for some reason he attracts bugs like he's trying to win a prize. What about a percentage day?
In addition to wearing the veil until it's time to perform, you might give him a good spray or wipedown on his head/ears/neck with a good fly spray right when you take the veil off.
Just watch with putting flyspray on that you don't apply it over the eyes - as they sweat the flyspray will run down into the horse's eyes and cause a lot of irritation - think shampoo in your eyes, ouch!
apparently adding marmite or yeast extract to the horses feed really helps with flies... The yeast extract gives off a smell the flies dont like and taste they hate even more!
You can also coat the inside of his ears with a layer of vaseline or colorless Swat fly repellent ointment. Soothes them if the inside of the ears are already raw, and prevents new bites.
From what I was told by my trainer (who also judges) you CAN use one. HOWEVER you need a vet report that it's medically necessary. Actually I got one for my qh just in case (as she has head shaking syndrome). But the way I do it I have full mask on during warm-up and waiting, and take it off/put fly spray on just 5 mins before entering the ring. Usually it's enough for those 5-7 mins test takes.
Fly Veils are not permitted in the dressage ring - as already stated, I would get a good fly spray, and that roll on fly repellant. That's what I do with Nelson.
I use the Roll On stuff and put it in his ears, around his ears and poll. And I use a good wipe for his face. I use WIPE actually, lol - it's a thicker oil based that works darn tootin' good. I use that just for his face though. I put it on his forehead, bridge of his nose, over his nostrils and on his muzzle, his cheeks - I avoid the eyes.
Actually guys I think val is right. As far as I know its legal with a note from a vet, usually they will take them off at the tack check to make sure the ears aren't stuffed. At least this is what happens around here.
I can check the usdf rules if yall want. Posted via Mobile Device
Ok so I checked the rules. DR121 #7 says basically they are only allowed if bugs are really bad and if they are allowed its announced and allowed for the whole class. And they should be conservative, I think every dressage rule involves that though lol.
Anyways basically what I would do is at the beginning of the day ay least a few hours before my ride if it is buggy and ask the steward if fly veils will be allowed that day. That should either give you an immediate answer or set the ball in motion and hopefully by your warm up they will have made a decision.
Good luck! Posted via Mobile Device
Fly hoods (ear covers) will only be permitted in order to protect horses from insects. The fly hoods should be discreet and should not cover the horse’s eyes, and will only be permitted in extreme cases at the discretion
of the presiding judge(s). Permission must be granted prior to the class and applies to all competitors in the class.
So as stated they are not normally permitted. IF and only IF you get permission prior to the class and the judge is ALSO willing can you use them.
Most competitor err on the side of caution and will probably take them off just before entering. When the steward checks your equipment just before entering they may require you remove it to check to see if there are any ear plugs ( not allowed) so you can just allow it removed then if you haven't got all your permissioons in order.
Please note that IF you go the way of getting permission it MUST be done well before the class commences and all documents have to be seen by the show staff and judge so they can decide.
To most this is not worth it but if your horse gets extremely discomforted then it would be worth the hassle.
I always ask for stuff if I want it. All you have to do is ask a question and the judge says yes or no and you hear about it later.
There aren't usually documents reqd... it's just like the boot rule. Someone asks the steward, on a break the steward asks the judge, the judge says yes or no and then it is announced if its allowed. It's not a huge deal just ask in the morning Posted via Mobile Device
Thanks everyone. I thought it might've been a 'grey' area, I heard the rules had been adjusted to allow with medical note too. This is our first time out in dressage, so I don't want to stick out or be disqualified. Of course, it wouldn't hurt to ask either.
But I'll definitely try the WIPE (thanks for the recommendation MIE) and the clear swat (so many advances since the nine years I've been overseas and out of touch!). :shock:
I am glad I'm not the only one with a head shaking, bug-eaten beast.
Thanks everyone. I thought it might've been a 'grey' area, I heard the rules had been adjusted to allow with medical note too. This is our first time out in dressage, so I don't want to stick out or be disqualified. Of course, it wouldn't hurt to ask either.
But I'll definitely try the WIPE (thanks for the recommendation MIE) and the clear swat (so many advances since the nine years I've been overseas and out of touch!). :shock:
I am glad I'm not the only one with a head shaking, bug-eaten beast.
Nelson is quite sensative with flies as well, so I understand where you are coming from.
I love that Wipe! I do! It's pricey, but does a great job. I have a small bottle of it, but I only use it for the dressage phase at HT's. That's it. So it'll last me a summer or 2.
I haven't tried the Swat - I think that would be too "goopy" if you know what I mean.....like for example, riding in a dry arena for my test ending up with grit and dirt stuck to that swat in the end...
No worries! I picked up mine at our local tack shop for $15.95. My gelding loved it and, even without a forelock or bridle holding it in place, it stayed on during grooming sessions.
I know what you're saying about 'goopy', MEI, but I'm thinking of putting it on now under his fly mask (with ears) to relieve some of the bites. I'm definitely going to pick up Wipe for rides and for the shows
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