At 07:50:11 on 24.06.09, carrotprovider wrote:
Hello! The poor horses are frantically shaking and kicking their way through the height of fly season to shoo the little devils off. Anti-fly products on the market don't seem to have a lasting effect, and although I'm sure they must be harmless, I'm a little wary of using them around the eyes and other sensitive areas. But I've just been told that olive oil (or sunflower oil or similar) also has an anti-fly effect. If you put a little around the eye area, flies buzz past but don't land (at least until it wears off). Have you ever heard of this non-chemical fly-busting method? Sounds so simple and ideal...but wondering whether there could be any side effects...! Thanks :)

At 08:19:39 on 24.06.09, Flicka wrote:
That will be great if it works, I might give it a try!! Will be interested to hear if any one else has tried it.

At 21:30:38 on 24.06.09, HorseVet wrote:
Hi Not one I'm aware of I must admit but that doesn't mean it doesn't work. I have my doubts though as I suspect everybody would have latched onto it sooner. If cooking pans using olive oil hang around I don't see flies keeping away. Let me know! Best wishes HorseVet
http://www.naturalhealingsolutions.co.uk

At 19:46:46 on 28.06.09, Rich the Farrier wrote:
I have not used oil to keep flies away. We use a made up fly spray with natural essential oils but some of my clients swear by Avon Sun Spray! Again I have never used it but gather it has some positive effects.

At 19:56:02 on 28.06.09, Maggs wrote:
I spent a day on Sark a few years ago, the hottest day of that year too. As I passed the horses ferrying the tourists around (no cars on Sark), I could smell whatever they used to keep the flies off. I don't know what it was but I didn't see one fly near any of the horses, even the ones standing still waiting for passengers. Either they used copious amounts or it was a really effective product. Anyone here live on Sark? I'd love to know what it was.

At 20:01:35 on 28.06.09, Rahara wrote:
Avon Skin So Soft is brilliant for Sweet Itch keeps the mozzies away that bite and cause the itch, our stallion lost most of his mane and top of his tail last year I started spraying him early this year, and it's keeping the flies away from the others,now I wouldn't be spraying it around the eyes, also horses smell gorgeous.

At 07:14:05 on 29.06.09, Marly wrote:
I used to give Effy garlic thinking that it would help to keep the flies away.. it did used help.

At 12:33:24 on 29.06.09, Horse Girl wrote:
I prefer to use a mask as I have never found a spray or lotion that really worked. A very interesting and cheap product if it worked. I am going to try it now on one horse and see if I notice a difference.

At 10:07:47 on 01.07.09, TWINKLE wrote:
don't think i will try it ...will it not attract the sun too much and give them suburn? it does on humans but don't know about horses.

At 20:46:14 on 06.07.09, eileen wrote:
I read about a product called ShooTag which sounds great but apparently there are different ones, ie one for flies, one for mosquitoes etc - need one that'll do them all! Anyone try it?