- Stable during early morning and late evening when many flies are at their most active (sunrise and sunset for midges)
- Place screens across stable windows and doors to keep flies out
- Use insect-proof rugs and sheets, of which there are very many on the market
- Avoid standing water as this is where flies and midges breed
- Keep stable yard clean and make sure the manure heap and any rotting vegetation is cleared regularly
- Use insect repellents, especially permethrin-based ones
- Use overhead fans in stables as midges are too weak to fly in breezes
- Use fly hoods and head nets — again, there is a wide choice available
- Try feed supplements containing antioxidants and garlic. There is plenty of anecdotal support of their efficacy, but very little scientific evidence.
H&H readers share their home-made fly spray recipes in the forum.
Read H&H full veterinary clinic feature on the parasites and flies that prove troublesome to horses during the summer months in today’s magazine, on sale 24 July ’08
