Fly repellent - very good stuff from the vet

[dalesponyrider]

That sounds an interesting product Heather. What is the name of it?

[Debbie]

I'm so glad you've found something to help Rose become more comfortable. Sometimes you simply have to think out of the box to get relief.

Our horseflies haven't been as bad this year, but our regular flies are beyond bad. It doesn't help that we've had lots of rains, so the wretches are non stop biting.

The cloves oil suggestion has made a world of difference for us this summer. I put 6 drops of clove oil in my quart spray bottle along with Farnam's Repelx. It seems to do the trick as I can start to spray Galahad and the flies leave as I'm doing it. And the horseflies are leaving him mostly alone this summer.

I can't spray Blossom directly, but I do spray her field shelter instead so she can go and stand in a mostly fly free zone for a bit. I think yesterday she might've been willing to give the new spray a try after watching me apply it to Galahad.

[olivia]

Sounds good - BUT (and didn't you just know that was coming) pemethrin is highly toxic to cats, so if you are treating horses take extreme care, and keep the product someone very safe...

Olivia

(I'm using it to treat this blurdi mites Jude has got and the box I have comes with all sorts of red writing all over it telling me not to put it anywhere near cats)

[Debbie]

Olivia I didn't remember that, so thank you very much for the warning

[zeldalithgow]

Youngs Flypor www.chemistdirect.co.uk/flypor_1_19175.html is Permethrin 4% my vet was happy for me to use this on the ponies

Glad Rose is getting some relief from the horrid clegs

[sammy]

I've got one like Rose, big fly bites and vet suggested Switch which is licensed and I managed to get one bottle and now no one has it in stock. Vets have it on back order but the word is none available until end of the year
The Switch pour on has helped the pony and the vet has suggested Coopers Spot on, not licensed for, when I run out of Switch.

[maggie]

I've used SpotOn on ponies from 6 months old for a number of years without ill effect and been very pleased with it.

It's easily available from the local farm stores, much cheaper than the equivalent horse products and very easy and convenient to use.

[dalesponyrider]

I've used spot on in the past Maggie. Is it ok to use on a nursing Mum?

[maggie]

I always have done Linda and not seen any adverse reaction in Mum or baby.

[dalesponyrider]

Thanks Maggie. What about foals?

[greydales]

Quite a few horsey people I know use the cattle pour-ons on horses, particularly Switch. They are all available from agricultural stores but as Heather says you use them at your own risk - I've not tried them myself but think I will next time I go to the store as they work out way cheaper than all these equestrian products most of which aren't effective.

[leannwithconnie]

Jul 28, 2009 9:13:26 GMT -1 greydales said:

Quite a few horsey people I know use the cattle pour-ons on horses, particularly Switch. They are all available from agricultural stores but as Heather says you use them at your own risk - I've not tried them myself but think I will next time I go to the store as they work out way cheaper than all these equestrian products most of which aren't effective.

Yes I have used Switch inthe past on a horse that grazed in my field and had mild Sweetitch...seemed quite effective but as Gill says youwill be using it at your own risk.

[maggie]

I've never used any sort of strong insecticide, or indeed anything else on foals while they are still suckling, so wouldn't use it on anything under 6 months. I wouldn't actually use it on young calves either.

I'll have a look at the age range they recommend for cattle and pigs when I get home and let you know.

[bevbob]

I used a pour on cattle lotion (cant remember which one now?) on Bobs and it was great. I got it from my vet friend and she said the only reason its not for horses is none of the companies have bothered to test it on horses. Probably something to do with cost of testing.