Calling all my horsey-friends! Fly sheets in the warmer climates-help!

[Kelly G]

We live it the depths of hell here in central Florida...and we're heading into the cauldron of what we politely call summer. *sigh* I can't wait to move back up north!

Anyway, Siggy (my Fjord), has an extreme sensitivity to flies. The horses are in their stalls and under big fans during the day, and are turned out overnight. We practice good barn husbandry (manure is hauled away weekly, stalls cleaned once for every 12 hours they are in the stalls), but Florida is hot and humid - and not all the neighbors feel the same about keeping up their barns....another *sigh*

I go through gallons of fly spray each summer and last year tried fly preditors (not as helpful as I'd hoped they'd be - but we have chickens & they tend to eat the predators).

Anyway, I thought of adding a nice fly sheet to the arsenal this year. I'm considering a Baker fly sheet or a Big D nylon fly sheet (both at smartpak.com ) What do you use??? Are your horses hot in them???

Any input would be appreciated

 

[freemotion]

Have you tried guinea fowl? Made a HUGE difference up here in MA! Just three guineas and a few hens really took down the numbers of all types of insects. After a couple of seasons, I didn't use any chemicals or traps for the first time ever, and had the fewest flies ever. I just used a fly mask on the worst days. Of course, Florida is different...

 

[Kelly G]

We only have 2.5 acres surrounded by similar sized lots - do you think I will make a bunch of enemies with these birds??? I hear they are very loud!

I'd be willing to try anything, though...

 

[pardenx3]

Quote:
I don't use fly sheets myself for my horses, but I know some folks who have, and all seem to love them. None have ever gotten hot in them like a blanket. They are such breathable material. Either sheet you are looking at should be just fine. I might use them also if I could find them in sizes big enough for my drafts.

 

[Chickerdoodle13]

We do not use fly sheets because they seem to get so muddy very quickly, but we do have quite the problem with flies. This year my dad is ordering some Fly predators, and we've heard great hings about them. They are about $20 for a months supply for four horses so you might want to look into it! It's worth a try at least. You do have to replenish them every month though.

 

[Bec]

Quote:
I'm curious to hear the answer to this, as I am in the same situation...but up here in Delaware.

 

[chickenzoo]

I haven't gotten guienas because I have small acreage and herd they wonder. I do use a fly sheet on my Quarb who is very sensitive to flys & no-see-ums. I have a white mesh one that covers from throat latch to tail and has a belly band, I think a Weatherbeeta. They can get sweaty, but not too bad in these. I also screen in the stall with sunshade fabric and run fans. Haven't found a spray that is affordable and lasts long enough..... haven't tried fly predators because I was afraid the chickens would eat them.....

 

[MelissaR]

I've used fly sheets with mixed luck. My biggest problem is that they don't cover where the gnats and mosquitos really like to bite - on the belly between the front and back legs. The other problem that we've had is that they don't seem to last very long. The other horses will nip and tear at them and/or the horse wearing it will rub on things and rip them.

About 4 years ago, I started trying different feed-through protection. I went through a couple of options before settling on a really high potency garlic supplement from a company called Springtime. It's made a huge difference in the number of gnats, mosquitos and ticks on the horses. There are a few draw-backs to the garlic - the horse smells a little funny, the barn smells like a pizzaria and the UPS driver doesn't appreciate delivering it (it's that potent) - but I think it's worth it.

Good luck!

 

[HorseFeatherz NV]

The fly predators work great, but if you have neighbors with horses who are close, I recommend over purchasing – when I count animals, I include my neighbors. I figure better to over saturate than under – I did this the first two year and have not had to order for the last 3.

For a fly spray I like Tritec 14. First of the season or after it rains, I find that once I have applied it two days in a row, it protects for a week before I have to re-apply.

Have not tried a fly sheet but you might want to look at the ones carried by Jeffers ( jeffersequine.com) they have one called Amigo Bug Buster which has repellent infused in it (effective thru 25 washings)

 

[DancesWithWolves]

I have a similar questiion...I'll just ask it as long as i'm here if u don't mind.

I want to know how to keep wood ticks of my horse. we live in northern WI and up here the ticks (most of them) are imune to frontline and other tick repelents... she is constantly getting wood ticks and because of the colors of her hair its hard to find them. Any suggestions on keeping them off?