How to Keep Mosquitoes From Horses

Mosquitoes can be very irritating to a horse, leaving it with swollen bites all over its body. A horse may find mosquitoes quite bothersome and can become upset and agitated quickly when it can't find relief from the biting insects. Mosquitoes may also carry diseases that can make a horse sick, including the West Nile virus and equine infectious anemia. Both can be deadly. There are a number of steps you can take to ensure that the horse is comfortable and protected.

Things You'll Need

  • Fly sheet
  • Fly mask
  • Fly spray
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Instructions

    • 1

      Dress the horse in a mesh fly sheet to prevent mosquitoes from landing on its flesh. Fly sheets come in lightweight and heavyweight varieties. Choose one that is suitable to the horse and the turnout situation. For example, a heavyweight fly sheet on a horse turned out with other horses will stand up better to bites and kicks. Add a fly mask to the horse's head for additional protection.

    • 2

      Spray the horse's legs, belly, neck and other parts of its body that are not protected by the fly sheet with a fly spray to deter the insects from landing. Squirt the fly spray onto a soft cloth and wipe over the horse's face rather than using the spray near the animal's eyes and nose.

    • 3

      Move the horse to a paddock or pasture that is free from standing water where mosquitoes routinely breed. If it is impractical to move the horse, reduce the amount of stagnant water as much as possible by removing or turning over any buckets, wheel barrels or other objects that might collect rainwater.

    • 4

      Put the horse in an enclosed barn in the evening or on a windless day, when mosquitoes are most active.