Homemade fly spray for horses: A vet offers safety guidelines
In the equestrian world, keeping flies at bay is a constant concern for horse owners. Two common methods for achieving this are homemade fly sprays and commercially manufactured products. While both options have their merits, it's essential to understand the differences between them to ensure the safety and wellbeing of your horse.
Dr Rebecca MacMillan, an equine veterinarian, warns against using human bug repellents on horses, as these products have not been formulated with horses in mind and can potentially cause toxicity. Instead, she advises sticking to homemade or commercially available horse-specific fly sprays.
Homemade fly sprays can be a cost-effective alternative to purchasing commercial products designed for horses. Recipes often include essential oils, dish soap, and vinegar as key components. However, it's crucial to exercise caution when using these concoctions, as essential oils can be toxic in large amounts, and certain oils or household cleaners should never be used due to toxicity risks.
One popular homemade recipe involves mixing eucalyptus oil, apple cider vinegar, and water. Another recipe includes citronella oil, lavender oil, vinegar, Dettol, cold strong tea, and water. It's essential to remember that homemade sprays may offer limited protection compared to commercially manufactured fly sprays, which are specifically formulated and tested for safety and efficacy.
Commercial fly sprays, on the other hand, are designed for long-lasting protection targeting a broad spectrum of pests, including flies, gnats, mosquitoes, and ticks. These products are often water-based and tested for safety on horses, offering efficacy for up to 14 days after application. Additionally, there are premade fly control products like feed-through supplements that reduce fly populations in the environment by interrupting larvae development, which homemade sprays cannot achieve.
Dr MacMillan advises choosing a commercial fly spray specifically designed for horses, as it will give safe and accurate dosing guidelines and be pre-formulated. She also emphasises the importance of consulting with your vet if you are unsure about using homemade or commercial fly spray on your horse.
In conclusion, while homemade fly sprays can be a useful and cheaper supplementary method if used carefully, pre-manufactured fly sprays provide more consistent, longer-lasting, and broad-spectrum protection. Combining some fly spray with other control methods such as fly sheets, masks, and environmental management (stall cleaning, fly traps) is the best strategy to keep flies off horses safely and effectively. Always remember to do a small patch test before using any homemade fly spray recipes on your horse, and consult your vet for recommendations.
References: 1. Horse & Hound 2. SaddleBox 3. KBIS
