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Post by donnalex on Jun 22, 2009 21:54:06 GMT 1
You need a cattle herd number to buy Butox in the UK and they are very strict about it. Phazer is the one in the red/black/white bottle. The season seems to last around six weeks then they tail off. Agree fly rugs are the best prevention and chemical free.
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Post by jennyg on Jun 22, 2009 22:47:56 GMT 1
I use Deet Spray Gold sold by the National Sweet itch centre: www.sweet-itch.co.uk/index.htmlI find this stuff very effective - it's 98% deet so much stronger than other fly repellents that contain deet. I was out on a ride the other day with a friend & her horse was being driven to distraction by horse flies and midges & my mare was fine as she was coated in the Deet Spray Gold. People can use it too - I put some on today as there were loads of horseflies about & I react badly to horse fly bites, but I didn't get bitten once.
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Post by Susan on Jun 22, 2009 23:10:22 GMT 1
Tried DEET and it didnt work as well as Coopers and we have serious horseflies.. amd as I get bitten and react I have to be so careful. So far only Coopers has done the trick..I dilute and stray it on for riding and Flynn has Fly rug on..when out..so far I havent found a ride on fly rug anyone got a link please
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Post by jen1 on Jun 22, 2009 23:56:35 GMT 1
they have been horrible today haven't they,1 of my horses has sweet itch i wash him down morning and might with cool water and reapply benzylbenzoat mixed with neem oil, and water, ive also been putting a bit of lavender oil onto his fly rugs ,,yesterday i experimented with a fly strip and by jingo did that catch the blighters, but i dont think it would work permanently could see his field mate coming in with sticky fly strip all over his mush,anyway i wiped the remander that was on a sponge on my mare and she was less bothered by the flys,
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Post by jen1 on Jun 22, 2009 23:58:19 GMT 1
just to add do try a patch test first, my Tommy now 2 started itching about a week after coopers was applied, could be coincidence
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Post by Mrs Craig on Jun 23, 2009 9:35:20 GMT 1
Jen, are these the fly collar thingies you get for cattle? My poor mare was being driven to distraction yesterday, too. Really odd. I hadn't even noticed any horseflies about until yesterday, but they were bloomin everywhere and she is no way near ready for fly spray - that I now know, lol! She lunges well on a lead rope, though!!! Hope she trusts me again, tonight - she's back in the fly rug, so hopefully is ok.
Googled the Butox and yup, you need a herd holding number for it. Not sure if that's quantity dependent, as I've found it at smaller quantities, too.
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Post by Louise C on Jun 23, 2009 9:59:03 GMT 1
I had real problems with horseflies yesterday as well - looks like they have come out in force!
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speedy
Grand Prix Poster
Once I was a racehorse...
Posts: 1,045
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Post by speedy on Jun 23, 2009 11:49:31 GMT 1
I've had to put a flyrug on my retired mare - she hates them and normally copes without but she was pouring with sweat (and little rivers of blood running down her neck) yesterday afternoon from trying to escape the damn things. Put a rug on her and you could see the look of relief and she almost instantly went to sleep. Poor girl was exhausted.
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Post by nich on Jun 23, 2009 12:26:33 GMT 1
I am in love with my new purchase - recommended on here - Bug Armour from KM elite. It's 2 seperate pieces attached at the saddle and bridle, and I got the head mask which also covers the ears. I was just about to give up riding for the summer before getting this as autumn hates the files so much )she is stabled during the day, and oddly the fields aren't too bad, it's our hacking that is grim)
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Post by nikki on Jun 23, 2009 13:17:31 GMT 1
We never have horseflies in our field but their are hundreds of the b****rs this year!! I've never known the flies to be so bad generally.
Can't even sit out in the garden at the moment because of the greenfly and blackfly. Two minutes and you're coated in the things!
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jeji
Novice Poster
Posts: 46
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Post by jeji on Jun 23, 2009 13:33:02 GMT 1
Not that I would wish horseflies on anyone else, but it's reassuring to know it's not just my corner of Norfolk that's got them so bad at the moment - I was beginning to regret moving!
Thanks everyone for all the suggestions. The Bug Armour looks amazing, not that I am riding at the moment (baby bump is just too huge, am the size of a horse myself, no wonder the horseflies like me too!) but will bear it in mind for when I get back on. Hopefully my new fly rug should arrive in the next day or two then both the boys will get some relief and I won't have to keep them in during the day eating £4.50 a bale hay!
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Post by anastasia55555 on Jun 23, 2009 15:06:39 GMT 1
you could make your own spray, you may have to google it to get exact ingredients, but contains citronella, washing up liquid and at the yard people use strong cold tea. Have found works better than shop bought. If buying from shop ones with Deet in work better
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Post by donnalex on Jun 23, 2009 18:45:28 GMT 1
White vinegar half and half with either cold tea (not for greys as it stains them) or some water. Add citronella, a little washing up liquid to emulsify and any other essential oils you want to add. Neem oil, baby oil, lavender and tea tree are all good.
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Post by anastasia55555 on Jun 23, 2009 18:56:46 GMT 1
thats the recipe :-) i better write it down before i forget, people tell me every year and then i forget it or lose it!
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Post by jen1 on Jun 23, 2009 23:52:17 GMT 1
Frances i just had a few fly strips hanging around and some sticky backed velcro , fleur my young dharling of a mare was running like hell trying to escape them, i was about to hang them in the house and had a light bulb moment, while it worked well , i think the goo is too sticky to use seriously,
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