The best fly gels for horses allow you to reach all the places that are tricky to target with even the best fly sprays, such as around your horse’s head, to ensure he is still protected from flies and insect bites. Fly gels and creams are also particularly handy if your horse doesn’t take kindly to a spray and can be applied by hand, with a cloth or sponge. When you combine one of the best fly gels for horses with a fly rug and fly mask, you can offer your horse a really high level of protection.
When choosing a fly gel for your horse, you should consider how long they adhere to the coat for and remain effective, whether they are made from natural or synthetic ingredients, and how robust and easy-to-use the pot is. It can be a tricky decision without being able to try them first, so we’ve got our hands on as many as we can to let you know what they’re like.
Best fly gels for horses
NAF Off DEET Power Performance Gel
Sizes: 750ml
This concentrated DEET-containing gel from NAF repels flies, horse flies and other insects.
Our reviewer says: “This thick gel comes in a robust rubbery pot with a hinged lid, so there is no chance of putting the lid down and losing it. The lid is easy to open and close. I’ve used a separate cloth to apply the white gel, which turns clear when applied to the horse’s coat. While we are not yet in horsefly season in my area, my horse has not been bothered by other flies while I have been riding after using this fly gel.”
Barrier Super Plus Fly Gel
Sizes: 500ml
Trusted by many horse owners, this fly repellent gel from Barrier deters all flying insects and calms the effects of midge bites. The pleasant-smelling formula contains a blend of concentrated herbal oils, volatile essential oils and pure avocado oil, which is a skin and coat conditioner.
Our reviewer says: “This fly gel has a more pleasant smell than many of its competitors and, for that reason, it is one of my preferred choices. I’ve used both a sponge and a cloth to apply it and the white gel turns clear when applied to the horse’s coat. I did once put it on by hand, but despite washing my hands afterwards, the scent did hang around for quite a while so I’d advise against doing that. The pot has a separate screw on lid, so if you are a bit absent-minded, it is easy to put down and forget where you’ve left it. This thick gel comes in a robust rubbery pot with a hinged lid, so there is no chance of putting the lid down and losing it. While we are not yet in horsefly season in my area, my horse has not been bothered by other flies while I have been riding after using this fly gel.”
Leovet Power Phaser Durativ
Sizes: 500ml
This gel protects against mosquitoes, horseflies, flies and ticks. It has been tested by the Swiss Institute for Tropical Medicine who have guaranteed it to be effective for seven hours, even if the hair becomes wet or sweaty. It comes with a sponge for easy application.
Our reviewer says: “This gel comes in a pot with a separate lid that can be completely removed, with a useful handle making it easy to carry and which also works to secure the sponge provided so it doesn’t get lost in between applications. The sponge is the ideal shape for getting the gel out of the pot without getting it on your hands. The smell of this fly gel is strong and I personally prefer using the gel to the spray version as the doesn’t leave residual liquid in the air, which can be quite unpleasant if you breathe it in accidentally. While we are not yet in horsefly season in my area, my horse has not been bothered by other flies while I have been riding after using this fly gel.”
Nettex Summer Fly Cream
Sizes: 600ml
This DEET-based cream from Nettex is readily absorbed, non-greasy and does not dry the skin. It seals the hair and forms a barrier, while also moisturising and conditioning the area.
Our reviewer says: “This white cream is quite thick – much thicker than most of the fly gels I’ve been testing. Its pot has a screw on lid and I’ve found it’s most easily applied using a cloth, rather than a sponge. Once it has been applied thinly, it doesn’t leave any greasy marks on the coat. My horse has not been unduly bothered by flies while I have been riding after using this cream.”
Leovet Tam Tam Vet Intensiv Gel
Sizes: 500ml
This insect repellent gel is made with natural active ingredients from geranium oil and eucalyptus-citriodora oil. It adheres to the coat for up to four hours and can be used by riders, too. It comes with a sponge, which helps with applying to nervous horses or around the face.
Our reviewer says: “This anti-fly gel comes with a sponge that is the ideal shape for applying it from the pot without using your hands. This gel has a more runny consistency than the Leovet Power Phaser Durativ gel, but it comes in a similar pot with a separate lid that can be completely removed. The pot also has the useful handle, which makes it easy to carry and also works to secure the sponge provided so it doesn’t get lost in between applications. While there will always be an element of personal preference when it comes to smells, this one is less chemical in nature and more pleasing on the nose, in my opinion than the Leovet Power Phaser one. While we are not yet in horsefly season in my area, my horse has not been bothered by other flies while I have been riding after using this fly gel.”
Shires Ezi-Groom Citronella Gel
Active ingredients: Citronella
Sizes: 500g
This long-lasting fly repellent gel protects your horse from flying insects, while also adding condition to the coat.
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