Choosing a fly spray or insect repellent which works for you and your horse can prove a challenge and is often a case of trial and error, with different results year-on-year and on different horses. It's frustrating and can be expensive, so it's worth putting in the research to see what might work best for your horse. Fly and insect repellents for horses have varying ingredients and application methods, with certain products being more effective on types of insects or in different areas. The cost of more expensive fly repellents may be off-putting initially, but if they work effectively they do offer better value for money.
Which Key Ingredients Should I Look Out For?
Fly repellents have different "levels" of protection and effectiveness. Some key, well-known ingredients include Citronella, DEET, Neem, PMD and Permethrin.
Citronella - Citronella Oil is an essential oil and a natural, plant-based insect repellent. It's gentle to use and will repel flies, midges and mosquitos. As a natural product, citronella is more of an "entry" level, non-aggressive fly repellent. Citronella repellent is available as a spray, cream, gel, lotion, oil and shampoo for versatile application. Shop Citronella insect repellent here.
DEET - DEET is a popular ingredient of choice for horse owners and is considered to be one of the most effective fly repellents. It's a synthetic chemical that works to deter a wide range of flies and insects, providing lasting protection for complete relief, and is suitable for use year-round. Apply DEET as a spray, cream or gel. Shop DEET insect repellent here.
Neem Oil - Neem is a natural, non-toxic and environmentally-friendly fly repellent option as an alternative to chemical fly repellents. It's a traditionally used ingredient and contains anti-histamines to help effectively treat itching skin conditions such as sweet itch. Neem typically comes as a shampoo or oil is less convenient to apply than fly sprays. Shop Neem insect repellent here.
PMD - PMD comes from essential oils or in synthetic chemical form and effectively repels flies, midges, gnats, horseflies and other biting insects.
Permethrin - Permethrin is a synthetic insecticide. It has fatal consequences for insects if they eat it or touch it, working very effectively to kill flies, ticks and mosquitos with lasting results. This ingredient does make the fly repellent more expensive.
Shop all fly and insect repellents here.
Application Methods
There are a number of ways to apply fly repellents, some working more effectively than others in different situations. In the peak of fly season you may need to use a couple of different products to offer the best protection for your horse. Everyone has their preferred application method; here are some common ones:
Spray bottle
The most popular choice for insect repellent, sprays are easy, quick and convenient to use covering a large area with ease. Fly sprays can be used on the horse, on fly masks and rugs and on yourself. Large refill bottles can help to make insect repellents more cost-effective, both for the single horse owner and for many horses on yards. Sprays can be a more wasteful option than products that are applied directly to the horse and can be difficult to apply evenly. Another disadvantage is that horses can be averse to the noise of spray bottles, but de-sensitising your horse to it can help.
Cream/Gel
Creams and gels are thick in consistency and work well if you need a "barrier" on a particular area. They are also useful to apply to areas where you don't want to spray, including the eyes and around the sheath area. Use creams and gels on hard-to-reach places too. It's easy to see exactly where you've missed with creams and gels and they are more effective for horses likely to suffer with reactions or sensitivity in certain places such as the face, mane and base of the tail. Creams penetrate the skin and are absorbed easily, but they can make the skin greasy. Creams and gels can also be messy to apply, so we recommend using a soft cloth or a sponge.
Lotions
Lotions are thinner in consistency and are readily absorbed by the skin. They can be very effective in localised areas such as the mane and base of the tail, especially for horses with seasonal sensitivities. Because of the higher water content of lotion it won't leave a sticky, greasy feeling like creams and gels. Another messy option though - we'd recommend using a soft cloth or a sponge to apply this.
Wipes
Insect repellent wipes can be really convenient to use on the face and harder to reach areas, effectively repelling insects without leaving a greasy or white residue. These are handy for summer competing, leaving a smart look and helping your horse to focus. They come in a useful pack or tub for easy transporting, slotting easily into your grooming kit bag.
Shampoos
Fly repellent shampoos help to build-up a level of protection from insects with regular use and work well in conjunction with other repellents. Fly repellent shampoos are a good option for horses with seasonal sensitivity; start using the shampoo early in the season as a base level of protection.
