Instructions
Spray your horse thoroughly with fly spray before going for a ride. Carry a small bottle of fly spray so you can reapply as needed. Reach every exposed area. Spray the solution on a cloth and gently wipe on sensitive areas like the face.
Use a fly mask. Some designs are worn over a bridle, while others only cover the horse's face. Still others extend down over the neck. Allow the horse to adjust to the new object by fitting him with it and then riding around the barn.
Spray cloth strips with fly spray and then attach them to your horse's bridle and girth. The movement will help to expel flies. Saturate the cloth with repellant to increase its effectiveness.
Purchase a handheld fly whisk at a tack stores. The device looks like a short stick with a horse tail attached to the end. Use the whisk to keep flies away from the horse's head, neck and rump.
Mix some apple cider vinegar into your horse's food during fly season.
Ride early in the morning when insects are not out and about. It can be difficult to avoid flies, especially in the middle of summer, but an early morning ride will provide some relief.
Choose open trails and riding areas. Flies tend to favor wooded trails, so stick to open areas without a lot of bug-attracting vegetation or water.
Stop and reapply liberally as needed out on the trail.
How to Keep Flies Away While Horseback Riding
Flies are naturally attracted to horses, and they can quickly turn a pleasant trail ride into a miserable experience. During warm weather they can swarm your mount. Their attacks are unpleasant and can even be dangerous. A horse may throw its head, snap at its sides or belly, or even buck from a fly bite. Fortunately you can fight back with various methods of warding off the flies. By using some simple strategies, you'll enjoy a much calmer ride.