This article is part of our Fly Control Awareness Month brought to you by Absorbine.

Don’t let fly season interrupt your travel plans this summer. Whether you’re trail riding for the day, heading to a show, or traveling across the country, keeping your horse comfortable and protected from biting insects on the road is crucial. Here’s how to keep flies at bay and your horse happy during every step of your journey.

Fly Control in the Trailer

When your horse is in the trailer, confined spaces combined with heat can turn it into a fly haven. Here’s how to keep your trailer as bug-free as possible:

Spray Before You Load: Before loading, apply fly spray liberally, preferably one with long-lasting, sweat-resistant protection.

Use Fly Sheets Wisely: Lightweight, breathable fly sheets can offer a barrier without overheating your horse. Look for options specifically designed for travel, with belly guards and tail covers. Make sure that your fly sheet is fitted correctly to avoid rubbing and discomfort.

Keep the Trailer Clean: Regularly clean manure and wet bedding out of your trailer between stops to reduce fly attraction.

Close it Up When Sitting: When your trailer is not in use, keep flies out by keeping windows or screens in place, and closing the back door. An ounce of prevention can be worth a pound of cure. Keep the screens on your trailer windows in good shape, checking for holes or disrepair.

Let the Wind Work: Opening windows that are covered by screens, or opening the vents, keeps a breeze moving across your horse. This is a great way to keep flies off your horse, as they are unable to land in a wind. A fly mask is a good idea to protect his eyes and keep flies off his face. Be sure that the screens on windows are in place, and your horse can’t stick his head entirely out of the window. This increases the chance of serious eye damage, from bugs, or debris. You want air movement in the trailer during the summer, to keep your horse cool as well.

If you opt to leave windows down to provide a breeze for your horses, make sure you have a screen or bars so your horse can’t stick his head out while you’re traveling. Richard Nantais/adobe.stock.com

Choose the Right Spray

From formulas designed for hot weather to sweat-resistant solutions and eco-friendly alternatives, understanding the nuances of different fly sprays is key to effective pest control and horse care. Take into consideration where you’re traveling to, and what the weather will be like. Will it be dry and hot? Muggy and humid? Pack different fly sprays for the climate you’ll encounter, and be prepared for anything.

Humid and Muggy: If you travel to a humid area where your horse just can’t stay dry even when he’s not in work, then sweat resistance is your friend. A fly spray that’s sweat-resistant is also your go-to product for those “wet saddle blanket” days when your horse works up a sweat while training or competing.

Hot and Dry: For areas where the summer sun beats down in an unrelenting fashion, and you need to beat the heat, you can bet there’s a fly spray for that. Opting for a fly spray designed specifically for hot, dry weather can provide your horse with extended protection against these persistent pests. These formulations often boast increased potency and longevity to combat the heightened insect activity characteristic of warm climates. This type of fly spray will also be ideal to apply to your horse during turnout, and can even give your horse’s coat a shine without using an oil-based product.

Tried and True: If you’re going to a climate similar to yours at the peak of summer, when flies are out in full force and you need to bring out the heavy-hitter, reach for a tried and tested fly spray. Depending on the rest of your fly control measures, late summer/early fall can mean dealing with swarms of hungry flies and mosquitoes! Rely on an old faithful during the season’s most challenging conditions.

Go Green: Travel green, with a fly spray that prioritizes natural ingredients. If you’re heading out when fly season is just getting underway, and mild temperatures are on your side, it’s a great time to try out a green option for your fly spray. This environmentally-friendly fly spray can offer effective pest control without compromising on safety or environmental impact.

Fly Control in Overnight Stalls

If your horse is stalled at an event or overnight stop, you can take some extra measures that are quick and easy to implement, but can keep him comfortable in his temporary digs.

Fly Sheets and Masks: A breathable and well-fitted fly sheet and mask is a great defense against flies.

Fans: If your temporary stalls have access to electricity, set up a fan directed at your horse’s stall. Moving air discourages flies from settling.

Manure Management: Clean stalls frequently to eliminate breeding grounds for flies.

Fly Traps: Fly traps are cheap and easy to set up. Hang fly traps safely out of your horse’s reach to cut down on the fly population around the stall area.

If your horse is stalled on the road, a fly sheet, fly traps, or even a portable fan can keep him fly-free and comfortable. Aleksandr Rybalko/adobe.stock.com

Applying Fly Spray the Right Way

A thorough application is key for true protection, don’t waste your time and money by applying your fly spray incorrectly. When it comes to sensitive areas like the face and ears, try these tricks to provide fly protection without the fly-spray dance.

Clean Him Up: Use fly spray after you have your horse cleaned up and groomed. If you spray him down first, then groom him, you’ll be brushing off your previously applied spray.

Use a Cloth for Delicate Areas: Spray fly spray onto a soft cloth or towel first, then gently wipe around your horse’s face, ears, and eyes. This prevents overspray that could irritate sensitive tissues.

Don’t Forget the Underbelly: Flies love to attack the belly line. Spray lightly but thoroughly along your horse’s midline and between the hind legs.

Use Enough: For your fly spray to be effective, you need to apply it liberally. This does not mean coating your horse with fly spray until he is dripping wet. However, spraying lightly onto his front legs won’t protect his back legs. Spray his coat evenly after tacking him up and read the manufacturer’s instructions for frequency and amount.

Read the Label: Each fly spray might have different manufacturer instructions. Although it might seem like a no-brainer, read through the instructions for specificities. Some brands might advise using a certain amount, spraying in a specific direction of hair growth, or using protective gear.