5 Best Fly Spray For Horses - Ultimate Guide To Get The Best Horse Fly Spray

To protect our equine companions from pesky insects, finding the best fly spray for horses is crucial for their comfort and well-being. With tons of options available in the market, selecting the most effective and suitable product can be daunting. In this guide, we'll explore best rated horse fly spray, ensuring your horse stays comfortable and free from bothersome insects.

Best fly spray for horses

What is the best way to protect horses from flies?

To keep flies off horses effectively, you should apply versatile methods. To safeguard your horse from flies, the first important thing is to prevent their landing altogether. Alongside using top-notch fly spray for horses, you can use fly gels, lotions, washes, fly masks, and rugs to provide your horse with optimal defense. 

Fly gels prove especially useful for horses hesitant about being sprayed, offering an alternative protection method. Various fly deterrents are available, ranging from those containing synthetic active ingredients like DEET or permethrin to natural options known for deterring flying insects. Consider the reapplication frequency and spray type when selecting a repellent, as some may offer longer-lasting protection despite higher initial costs. 

Apply various bug repellents for your horses

In the UK, regulations govern the labeling and application of fly repellents, distinguishing between products suitable for horses and those for premises. It's crucial to adhere to usage guidelines provided on product labels to ensure safety and efficacy.

Best fly spray for horse you should buy

Farnam Repel-X Ready-To-Use Fly Spray

• Brand: Farnam

• Item Form: Liquid

• Scent: Pleasant

• Age Range (Description): All Life Stages

• Item Weight: 2.11 Pounds

• Active Ingredients: Permethrin

• Item Volume: 32 Fluid Ounces

• Target Species: Equine

• Allergen Information: Yam Free

• Rating: 4.4 out of 5

This is the best horse fly spray with multiple uses for horses, donkeys, livestock, dogs, and cats. This kills 6 common fly species including mosquitoes, gnats, fleas, and ticks. To get the best result, spray or gently wipe on horses, around stalls, and in the barn, blankets, and other fabrics. 

Absorbine UltraShield EX 128oz Insecticide

• Brand: Ultra Shield

• Item Form: Liquid

• Scent: Pleasant

• Age Range (Description): All Life Stages

• Item Weight: 2.11 Pounds

• Item Volume: 32 Fluid Ounces

• Rating: 4.7 out of 5

This best fly spray for horse with the most potent formula eradicates over 70 species of pests and bugs, including flies, mosquitoes, ticks, and gnats. With Weatherproof capabilities lasting up to 17 days, thanks to UltraBond Technology, it provides long-lasting protection. 

Ready to use and water-based, it's suitable for horses, ponies, dogs, barns, or premises without requiring any mixing. Additionally, it offers protection against insects, along with multiple sunscreens and coat conditioners for added benefit.

Farnam SWAT CLEAR Horse Fly Control

• Brand: Farnam

• Item Form: Ointment

• Scent: Pleasant

• Age Range (Description): All Life Stages

• Item Weight: 0.44 Pounds

• Active Ingredients: Piperonyl Butoxide

• Item Volume: 7 Fluid Ounces

• Target Species: Equine

• Allergen Information: Yam Free

• Rating: 4.6 out of 5

This best fly spray for horses gives complete protection even in hard-to-reach areas of your horse. It is a must-have in every horse owner's arsenal for combatting flies. Unlike sprays, this ointment is perfect for addressing delicate and difficult-to-reach areas such as wounds, sores, scratches, and abrasions, as well as the eyes and ears.

Farnam SimpliFy Feed-Thru Fly Control

• Brand: Farnam

• Item Form: Stick

• Scent: Unscented

• Age Range (Description): All Life Stages

• Item Weight: 4.54 Kilograms

• Item Volume: 4.54 Kilograms

• Target Species: Equine

• Allergen Information: Yam Free

• Rating: 4.6 out of 5

Preventing the development of house flies and stable flies in your horse's environment is crucial for their well-being. That's where Farnam SimpliFly Feed Through Fly Control comes in. Made with alfalfa, these pellets are tasty and effective at deterring fly development in the horse's manure. 

Importantly, they contain no organophosphates, ensuring they pass through the horse's system without any harmful effects. Formulated with Larvastop and diflubenzuron, these pellets offer reliable protection against flies. Plus, with various sizing options available, ranging from 3.75 lbs to 50 lbs, you can choose the most economical option for your needs, providing anywhere from a 60-day supply to an impressive 800-day supply.

Farnam Equi-Spot, Horse Fly Control

• Brand: Farnam

• Item Form: Liquid

• Scent: Unscented

• Age Range (Description): Adult

• Item Weight: 0.13 Pounds

• Active Ingredients: Permethrin

• Item Volume: 2.04 Fluid Ounces

• Target Species: Equine

• Allergen Information : Yam Free

• Rating: 4.4 out of 5

Farnam Equi-Spot offers effective horse fly control in a convenient spot-on treatment. With its advanced formula, Equi-Spot protects a variety of flying pests, including flies, mosquitoes, ticks, and gnats. The easy-to-use applicator allows for precise application, ensuring thorough coverage. 

Equi-Spot is weatherproof and provides long-lasting protection for up to 14 days, making it ideal for outdoor and active horses. Trusted by horse owners and veterinarians alike, Farnam Equi-Spot is a reliable solution for keeping your horse comfortable and protected from pesky insects.

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What to look for the best fly spray for horse?

There are many bug repellents and horse fly sprays on the market. Therefore, you should get several instructions below to choose the right one.

Application

Before administering any fly spray or pest management product to your horse, carefully review the label for usage instructions and precautions. These chemicals often have specific guidelines to prevent skin irritation and contamination of water and food sources. For optimal results, apply the spray or topical solution after bathing and grooming your horse to ensure a clean, dry coat.

When using a new product, conduct a patch test on a small area of your horse's skin to check for any adverse reactions. Application methods vary, but typically involve spraying, towel application, or massaging the product into the coat. Focus on key areas such as the head, neck, back, chest, legs, and withers, as these are common biting spots for pests.

Oil or water base

Oil-based insect repellents are often more potent and long-lasting compared to water-based alternatives due to their resistance to water and sweat. However, they may leave an oily residue on the horse's coat, potentially leading to skin dryness and irritation. 

Additionally, oil-based products can attract dust and dirt, posing hygiene concerns, and may cause discomfort or respiratory issues in sensitive horses.

Selecting the suitable fly repellent

Duration

The effectiveness of fly spray products is influenced by various factors including environmental conditions and the activity level of the horse. Factors such as humidity, rain, and sweat can impact the duration of effectiveness, with moisture and heat attracting egg-laying insects. 

Products with an oil base tend to last longer compared to water-based ones, while those containing essential oils or natural ingredients may have varying durations of effectiveness. Additionally, the breakdown of ingredients under UV light and oxygen exposure affects the longevity of the product, with chemical or synthetic ingredients generally lasting longer than natural options.