What's the best fly repellent for my horse?

Have you noticed the horse flies and midges are back? Sigh! So we thought we’d share with you the best fly repellents for your horse in 2021. Most horse owners know that fly repellents are available as a spray but what do you do if your horse is petrified of a spray? Simple. The answer is you get a gel, a roll on, liquid or wipes. So whatever your horse’s disposition, you’re bound to find something that works for him.

Best Spray

Our customers tell us that their favourite choice of application is a spray as it's easy to apply to all the nooks and crannies, it's quick and there's no mess with it. They also tell us that Bremsen Long Acting Fly Repellent is their absolute fave. They are so not bothered that it doesn’t smell great because it’s so incredibly effective and it lasts for up to 36 hours which is great if your horse lives out!

Best Gel

If your horse doesn’t like a spray, how about a gel? When you put it on, this Leovet Power Phaser Durativ doesn't leave any sticky residue and it even lasts when your horse perspires. While gels tend to be a bit messy, this gel comes with a sponge for easy and clean application. However, some still may prefer to wash their hands after they’ve applied it, and if that is not an option, you might prefer an alternative type of application. Read on to find out about a roll-on or wipes!

Best Pour On Liquid

‘Pour on’ solutions were around before sprays were invented. These are still incredibly popular today and mean that you can control precisely how much is applied to a certain spot, like the base of a tail for example if you’re treating sweet itch. Pour on Liquids are not as messy as gels but sometimes require gloves to be worn when they’re applied, so read the instructions carefully. Battles Fly Repellent Liquid is a great option on the market. The super strength formula is gentle on the skin and provides up to 12 hours of protection from biting insects.

Best Roll On

A Roll On is the best for ‘hitting the spot’, i.e. when you need to apply fly repellent to a certain spot. This is a good choice to use for the face and ears, especially for the horse that is not keen on having their face sprayed. It’s accurate application and convenience make it an increasingly popular choice especially as there’s no mess and dirty hands. The Lincoln Fly Repellent Roll On contains contains a combination of gentle yet effective fly repellents in a water based formula with additional moisturising agents. 

Best Wipes

Wipes are a convenient and quick way to apply repellent and come in a small handy tub that you can take out to shows. The Nettex Equine Fly Repellent Wipes are Deet-based wipes ideal for horses and ponies that do not like sprays. They are quick and easy to use and can be used around sensitive areas such as eyes, nose, ears, muzzle, dock, sheath and teats.

Best Shampoo

Fly Repellent Shampoo's are ideal in the summer when it's the perfect time to give your horse a bath. The Gold Label Citronella Shampoo is a great option for summer wash time as it smells great and is unfriendly to flies. It contains oils of rosemary and coconut and is non-irritant, conditioning and deep cleansing.

Want to know more about horse fly repellents? Read our Fly Repellents Buying Guide that contains everything you need to know.