Equestrian Life April 2017 Edition

FLY PROTECTION
horse health
Fly Protection!
Protection from flies is
an enormous subject
covering sweetich to
sarcoids (flies are known to
be involved with these skin
tumours). Where and how
we keep our horses is very
important. Close proximity
to water and trees will
significantly increase
the numbers of flies and
midges so keeping a horse
confined to a stable to
move away from this mass
of insects is likely to be a
recipe for disaster.
At the World Equestrian
Games in Kentucky USA
the horses were kept in
large barns which had
massive fans in both wall
ends. One fan pulled the
air in and the other pushed
air out causing enough air
flow that midges and flies
could not cope, therefore
reducing the problem.
RUG UP!
Ideally we should keep our
horses on a windy hill side
where there would be fewer
insects but life is never
that simple! Covering
up our horses in rugs to
stop the flies settling on
the skin are invaluable.
Buy the best that you can
afford - then buy another
two. One to wear, one to
wash and one to mend.
Chemicals which repel
or kill insects need to be
used before the fly season
really starts to get the best
results. If you start using
fly sprays after the animal
has had fly bite reactions
because the horse has
become sensitised it only
takes one bite to cause
a reaction. Because our
climate is getting warmer
the fly season will start
earlier.
REPEL THAT
When choosing a fly
repellent ideally you should
try some on a small area
of skin and check over
24 hours that your horse
does not react to it before
using it all over. Also if
competing under rules e.g.
British Eventing, FEI or
Jockey Club you will find
that certain chemicals in
fly repellents are prohibited
in competition. It is your
responsibility to check
these rules. The FEI clean
sport website has lists of
these. If in doubt check with
your vet.
Protection of wounds from
flies is very important.
Insects carry infection
and have been implicated
in the transfer of virus
particles responsible for
sarcoids. You can do this
by covering with dressing
and bandages. These need
to be done carefully and
checked frequently to
ensure that they have not
become wet or too tight
as these can lead to even
more problems. Covering
of small wounds and grazes
with ointments or salves
prevents the insects getting
to them. There are many of
these on the market, some
containing repellents, but
humble Vaseline works fine.
A QUICK NOTE ON THE
SUBJECT OF PADDOCK
MAINTENANCE.
Many of the injuries that i
see at work are due to poor
fencing. Droopy barbed
wire and sheep netting,
floppy electric tape, gates
that horses put their feet
through or sticking out
gate fasteners and get stuck
or my worst nightmare -
horses tied to gates.
Examples of Sweet Itch
“INSECTS CARRY INFECTION AND
HAVE BEEN IMPLICATED IN THE
TRANSFER OF VIRUS PARTICLES
RESPONSIBLE FOR SARCOIDS”
Equiping yourself with
a hammer, fence staples
and wire cutters which are
cheap to buy and spending
a few hours tightening up
wire and tape, checking
posts have not rotted
at the base - looking for
things that are likely to
cause a hazard will save
you so much money in
the long run and help
to prevent accidents
happening to our much
loved horses and ponies.
Morley Veterinary
Practice Limited
24 hour Emergency Service
WE OFFER: Yard visits or examinations at our clinic
Vaccinations • Microchipping and Pass-porting
Digital X-rays – at clinic or mobile • Ultrasound
Lameness work-throughs • Endoscopy• Vettings
Surgical facilities • Opthalmology • Stocks
Holiday livery for your horse • In-house laboratory
Parking for trailers & horseboxes
Also small animal practices at 28-30 Lower Stanton
Road, Ilkeston 01159 329322 and
261 High Lane East,West Hallam 01159 326056
Equine Clinic, Bull Pit Lane, Duffield,
Derbyshire, DE56 4FQ T: 01332 843323
www.equestrianlifemagazine.co.uk 27