[NavigatorsMom]

I've had the best luck with Pyranha, and I prefer it to the black Ultrashield (which I just finished a bottle of, thankfully!). The one downside to Pyranha is that it is oil-based, and either brings all dirt in the horse's coat to the surface, or else it attracts dirt like crazy - not sure exactly which, but even after a thorough grooming, if I spray Pyranha on Nav he will look dusty. But, if you're using it especially for turnout then it isn't a problem! I recently found an all-natural Pyranha and am trying it out. I have high hopes for it just because the yellow bottle Pyranha is so good, but of course a natural variation will not be so toxic and likely not as strong. Hopefully it will be a bit stronger than some other green sprays I've tried.

Swat for the face and ears also works very well!

 

[trailhorserider]

I've had the best luck with Pyranha, and I prefer it to the black Ultrashield (which I just finished a bottle of, thankfully!). The one downside to Pyranha is that it is oil-based, and either brings all dirt in the horse's coat to the surface, or else it attracts dirt like crazy - not sure exactly which, but even after a thorough grooming, if I spray Pyranha on Nav he will look dusty. But, if you're using it especially for turnout then it isn't a problem! I recently found an all-natural Pyranha and am trying it out. I have high hopes for it just because the yellow bottle Pyranha is so good, but of course a natural variation will not be so toxic and likely not as strong. Hopefully it will be a bit stronger than some other green sprays I've tried.

Swat for the face and ears also works very well!

There is a water-based Pyrahna too, it's in a blue bottle. I haven't tried it yet, but it's on my list. I love the yellow bottle Pyrahna. I haven't tried the natural (green) yet either.

 

[Chasin Ponies]

You can't beat Tri-Tec 14 (the one in the silver containers). It's very pricy but worth every penny. (cheapest on Amazon) and you don't have to keep re-applying it!
The worst I've ever used in Bronco. I watched flies just sit there enjoying the spray using that junk!

 

[3rdTimestheCharm]

My BO tried the water-based Pyranha last summer, and it didn't work at all. She didn't even finish the bottle before she back and bought the regular, oil-based Pyranha. But, that was just one situation, so it could work better for you guys.

 

[Hondo]

FWIW, Anything containing PYRETHRINS worries me when I read the manufacturer's label on ValleyVet. They recommend it not to be on either human or the horses skin. Or sores which which can be hard to avoid. It is a powerful pesticide that kills the insects but also has a detrimental effect on the environment.

https://valleyvet.naccvp.com/product/view/basic/1688006?u=country&p=msds

 

[Cowgirlupyup]

I found Flicks fly spray works the best for me.

 

[Jan1975]

I asked our BO if she's picky about fly spray, and she said yes. She likes the Repel-X concentrate. I trust her judgment as she's had a lot of horses a lot of years. I'm guessing different sprays may work better in different areas (of the country I mean).

 

[knightrider]

Nobody yet has recommended Gordon's Horse and Pony Spray. My farrier likes it best and I am guessing he should know. I haven't had much success with any of them and I've tried them all over the years.

For many years I made my own spray with Skin So Soft, white vinegar, and citronella diluted with water. It worked as well as anything else and was cheaper.

But I switched to Gordon's after my farrier recommended it. It seems to work a little better. I can only find it at Tractor Supply.

After reading this, I would like to try Eco vet.

 

[spookychick13]

The Eco Vet worked, but it seriously made my lungs hurt. People at my barn agreed.
Disappointing.

 

[Zexious]

Did I already post in this?
I can't remember... /die

Anyway, I like Absorbine Ultra Shield or Pyranha products.

 

[jaydee]

Hondo - Pyrethrins are organic, derived from a species of Chrysanthemum so are a natural part of the environment so I wouldn't worry to much about using them, just don't spray your flowers with it or tip it into ponds or rivers etc, just use it wisely
As with anything new - always do a small test area first to be sure you/your horse aren't allergic
The Eco-vet is good for regular flies, I dislike the silicone in it but it does help so worth putting up with but it won't kill ticks like the permethrin/pyrethrin/cypermethryn based sprays do and they're the things that will make your horses sick, not just irritate them

 

[Hondo]

Hondo - Pyrethrins are organic

Heehee, so was that stuff Socrates drank.

I'm sorry, the devil made me do that.

The Eco-vet is not stopping Hondo's itching. I gave him a bath today with Selenium Sulfide. I'm going to try that every other day for a while.

If the other 16 horses on the ranch average a 2 on itchiness, Hondo is an easy 10. He has the hair worn off both inner (ankles?) from rubbing his belly. Half his mane is gone. Top of tail stays ratted.

I've used Spray and Wipe, Calm Coat, Bite Free, Ultra Boss pour on, MTG at mane and tail base, Cut N Heal at mane and tail base, SWAT and diaper cream on his belly, Ivermectin every week for 12 weeks, ground flax for around eight months, he is supplemented on copper, zinc, magnesium, selenium/vit E up to forage analysis.

I don't show for certain but it just kills me to see him so miserable. Today he was wanting me to scratch his forehead and between his eyes. I don't know if it was dirt or dead hide coming off but I'll be buying some baby no tear shampoo for that area.

Oh yeah, and I'm on my fourth large bottle of Off so far.

I've probably missed some stuff.

I would put any natural or synthetic poison on him that would make him comfortable, well unless the side effects were really so bad it was illegal.

Vets seem to just say sometimes there's nothing that can be done.

He's on 24/7 turn out on 60 acres so fly sheets are not an option. I was using a fly mask but it's out in the brush somewhere.

I guess I could take him in for skin scrapings but vets don't offer much encouragement on that either.

He's got something but I don't know what. But it is a summer itch. He grows his mane out in the winter and hair grows back on his bald ankles.

Edit: Flies don't seem to really be a problem. His buddy has a few but the stuff I'm using on Hondo seems to be keeping the flies away. But it doesn't help whatever is making him itch.

 

[jaydee]

Have you tried putting him on an antihistamine (not a steroidal thing) or washing him with something like Malaseb which is an anti-fungal?
If its possibly some form of mite or louse they use an injectable called Dectomax in the UK for cases that don't respond to anything else, its a product used for cattle but commonly used on horses and is very successful - not sure if its available in the US though

 

[jaydee]

Also - Try Carr Day & Martin's Killitch - that is now available over here - order online from somewhere like this
Killitch | Horse Health USA

 

[Prairie]

IME, rotating between brands of fly sprays seems to be the best solution since the flies seem to build immunity to each brand within a short amount of time. For horses who are allergic and become crazy from flies, providing them access to a place with fans set on high is the best solution I've found---or horses retreat to their stalls which they have 24/7 access to when the wind is calm and flies are driving them nuts.

 

[Hondo]

Jaydee, All the stuff you've mentioned is available at Valley Vet, including Dectomax. Looking at the price tag of some of the products plus the money already spent it's starting make me think skin scrapings may be in order rather than continued experimentation.

I like the idea of oral or injectable though as it doesn't get in the eyes, no worry about licking or eating, and no areas are missed.

Thanks for the response.

 

[jaydee]

I would look into the skin scrape myself Hondo - its a much easier way to find out what's wrong and then treat it effectively - the things that I've mentioned, like the Dectomax for one example will work if the problem is mites/lice but not if its a fungal thing or a reaction to the saliva of what we call 'midges' in the UK


Prairie - I think if you look through the list of active ingredients on most of the sprays here you'll see that they all contain one of or a combination of permethrin/pyrethrin/cypermethryn, the only thing that differs is the amount or the ratio of those ingredients and the other things that they add to the mix to produce a small that might repel bugs - the exceptions are things like Eco-vet and stuff like the Eqyss Marigold range

 

[Hondo]

I would look into the skin scrape myself Hondo - its a much easier way to find out what's wrong and then treat it effectively - the things that I've mentioned, like the Dectomax for one example will work if the problem is mites/lice but not if its a fungal thing or a reaction to the saliva of what we call 'midges' in the UK

Since Hondo's problem is not flies, in deference to the OP's topic, I'm gonna start a new thread under skin problems.

 

[Prairie]

Prairie - I think if you look through the list of active ingredients on most of the sprays here you'll see that they all contain one of or a combination of permethrin/pyrethrin/cypermethryn, the only thing that differs is the amount or the ratio of those ingredients and the other things that they add to the mix to produce a small that might repel bugs - the exceptions are things like Eco-vet and stuff like the Eqyss Marigold range

Very true, but it does seem to work better here to switch between classes of fly sprays. Sorry I wasn't specific enough.


IME, the best way to attack flies is a multi-directional approach, so using fly predators and various types of fly traps to cut down on numbers, removing manure and standing water daily to reduce the flies breeding grounds, and using fly spray plus providing the horses with a shady area that either has a good breeze flow or using fans to deter flies. It also helps if you can convince your neighbors to work on controlling the flies too.