Equestrian Life June 2017

dock clean.
TIME MANAGEMENT
Midges are most prevalent at dawn
and at dusk so if possible keep your
horse in the stable at these times.
The horse fly is most present in
wooded, shady areas so avoid
hacking through any woods,
especially on warm days.
Use a specially designed comb to
remove bot eggs each day (or more
often if possible) from your horse.
Worm your horse after the first frost
of autumn with an Ivermectin-based
wormer to remove any bots that
have managed to set up home in the
stomach.
PROTECTIVE CLOTHING
A fly sheet is a great way to prevent
biting midges aggravating and
biting your horse, and is especially
important in those horses that have
allergic reactions to the midge saliva
- in other words horses that suffer
from sweet itch. Regularly applying
fly repellent or insecticide to the rug
can make it even more effective.
A fly mask that covers the ears
and eyes is an excellent deterrent
and good at preventing both the
house fly (eyes) and the black fly
(ears) from gaining access to their
preferred feeding sites on your
horse.
When exercising your horse a fly veil
which protects his ears could make
for a more pleasurable experience
especially if you can’t avoid riding in
conditions flies thrive in.
FLY REPELLENTS
There is a wide range of sprays,
creams, gels and wipes on the
market containing a variety of
active ingredients, from traditional
natural solutions to powerful
synthetic substances. It is generally
acknowledged that some of the most
popular natural remedies, including
extracts of lavender, rosemary,
tea tree and eucalyptus do have
repellent qualities. Adding garlic
to a horse’s diet has also long been
recommended as a way of deterring
flies.
While many owners prefer
natural remedies to the synthetic
products on the market they are
not necessarily more effective. It is
probably best to ask other owners at
your livery yard which one they find
most useful as that is the one most
likely to work for you as well as your
horse in the same environment.
Remember fly repellents will only
be effective for a limited time
and so reapplication during the
day is advised to keep levels high,
especially if it rains as repellents are
not waterproof so in wet weather
they will be washed off and your
horse will not be protected
INSECTICIDES
Insecticides aim to kill the fly as
soon as possible after contact, with
no biting needed. For maximum
effectiveness treatment should be
started before the fly season has
begun to help control breeding
and should be continued at regular
intervals throughout the season.
There are four active ingredients
contained in insecticides currently
licensed for use on horses in the UK.
Insecticides are a prescription only
medicine with fly control lasting for
up to four weeks.
ELITE EQUINE CARE
Elite Equine Care specialise in
providing a bespoke mobile Horse
Care service in Derbyshire and the
surrounding areas.
• Not enough time to see to your
horse’s daily needs?
• Going on holiday and require your
horse looking after?
• Unable to visit when your farrier/
vet/dentist is visiting?
• Working away or going into
hospital?
• Perhaps you simply need another
pair of hands?
Whatever your needs, large or small,
one-off or on a more permanent basis,
Elite Equine Care would be pleased to
be of assistance.
Providing a bespoke, professional,
mobile service tailored to your horses
individuals needs, Elite Equine Care
guarantee your horse will be cared for
in your absence as you would care for
him yourself.
Elite Equine Care offers a 24/7, 365
day a year service and will always
endeavour to be of assistance even
at very short notice and in cases of
emergency.
Elite Equine Care are fully insured,
qualified and have undergone
Enhanced Criminal Records Bureau
Disclosures. First class references will
always be provided.
01332 510 149
info@eliteequinecare.co.uk
To find out more about Elite Equine Care, see www.eliteequinecare.co.uk
www.equestrianlifemagazine.co.uk 15