Horse riding is a year-round sport, but summer brings the problem of insects. When bugs swarm, even humans struggle to keep them away, losing focus. Horses experience the same issue, often reacting with big head movements, tail flicks, or leg lifts when trying to fend off insects, which can surprise riders.
Do you know some simple tricks to keep bugs away? Here, we introduce effective methods for protecting horses and riders from pests.
Why do mosquitoes and flies come around?
Many people enjoy outdoor activities during hot summer days. From sports to gardening, people are having fun but often get bothered by insects like mosquitoes and flies. Since horseback riding is also outdoor activity, bugs can sometimes become a nuisance.
Wouldn’t it be great to prevent them from disturbing your activities? Let’s look at the insect behaviors that make them attracted to humans and animals.
What do mosquitoes feed on?
You’ve probably heard that mosquitoes bite more when you’re sweaty, have a higher body temperature, or drink alcohol. Is that really true? Actually, mosquitoes only bite certain females during specific times of the year to lay eggs. These gravid females feed on blood as a source of nutrients for their eggs. Without blood, their eggs cannot develop properly, which is vital for their survival.
Male mosquitoes and females outside of oviposition only feed on nectar and plant sap. Females detect odors, temperatures, and carbon dioxide emitted by hosts—including humans, dogs, cats, and horses—especially during egg-laying.
People who sweat or have body odor are more likely to be targeted, and those with higher body temperatures, like babies or children, tend to get bitten more. Drinking alcohol increases carbon dioxide output, which attracts mosquitoes. Additionally, mosquitoes can distinguish black objects, which is why they often gather around people wearing dark clothing, whereas white clothing tends to repel them.
What attracts flies?
Flies are usually found around rotten food, garbage, livestock stables, or places with feces—that is, unsanitary environments. They are attracted by strong odors from these sources.
Some people notice more flies around their heads; this is because the scalp emits odors, especially when covered with hair, and flies are attracted to dark colors since they associate them with food sources like tree sap or decaying matter. Black clothing or hair often attracts more flies.
Horse Pest Control Method 1: Fly Masks
Horses are sensitive creatures and will react strongly—shaking tails, lifting legs, or moving their heads—when insects approach. This can startle riders because of their sudden movements. Therefore, insect prevention is essential. One such method is the use of fly masks, which are protective horsewear designed to keep bugs away.
Innovative Designs
Fly masks cover the head, neck, and chest, with some also protecting the belly. They come in various styles, including removable neck parts, face masks, or full-body coverage. Some are scientifically tested with colors and patterns that insects dislike or avoid. Choosing a cute design or an insect-proof model can make riding more comfortable and enjoyable.
Thoughtfully Selected Fabrics
When picking a fly mask, besides design, consider the fabric. It should be lightweight, durable against friction, lined to protect the mane, and suitable for hot weather (cool type). While no fabric meets all these criteria perfectly, prioritizing your needs and carefully selecting materials will ensure better insect protection and comfort for your horse.
Horse Pest Control Method 2: Insect Repellent Spray
Insect repellent sprays are easy to apply and are a must-have for outdoor activities. Many products contain natural ingredients that are safe for animals, and some include aromatherapy oils that can be fun to choose. You can even make your own repellent spray using your favorite essential oils.
Did you know there are horse-specific insect repellent sprays? Here, we introduce some options.
Horse-Specific Insect Repellent
Choose natural ingredient-based sprays for direct application on horses’ bodies. Spraying around stables also helps create an environment less attractive to insects.
Be aware that some horses are sensitive to the sound of spray bottles, so opt for lotions or gels if needed. Fire-based repellents like mosquito coils are not recommended because they pose fire hazards, especially around horses.
DIY Horse Insect Repellent
Making your own insect repellent using water, vinegar, and essential oils is safe and cost-effective. Oils like lemongrass, citronella, and eucalyptus are known for repelling insects and are good choices.
Lemongrass also has calming and relaxation properties, which can help settle horses. For horses sensitive to sprays, you can mix essential oils with petroleum jelly and apply topically, but avoid direct sunlight on ointments due to oil content.
How Riders Can Protect Themselves from Bugs
Besides protecting horses, riders should also take measures to avoid bug bites. Clothing choice is important since insects are attracted to dark colors; opt for white or light-colored clothing.
Keep exposed skin covered by wiping sweat regularly and using arm covers. Some clothing can be treated with natural insect-repelling dyes derived from plants like indigo or earth-based pigments such as Benge dye, which have insect-repelling and deodorizing effects.
Using insect repellent sprays is also effective. These can be store-bought or homemade.
Summary
Protecting horses from insects can be achieved by simple measures like wiping sweat regularly and choosing appropriate clothing colors. Using scientifically tested fly masks and insect repellents, whether store-bought or homemade, helps keep bugs at bay. Each approach has its advantages, so select whatever suits your horse and situation best.