Flies bothering your horse? Here’s how to keep them away

As the weather warms up, spending more time outdoors with your horse becomes even more enjoyable. Unfortunately, warmer temperatures also bring unwanted visitors: flies!

Flies aren’t just annoying. They can cause irritation, stress and discomfort for horses, particularly during the warmer months. Some biting flies can even cause painful reactions and contribute to skin problems.

The good news? A few simple horse fly prevention strategies can help keep your horse comfortable, healthy and happy throughout fly season.

Why are flies attracted to horses?

Horses naturally attract flies because of their body heat, sweat, movement and the environment around them. Warm, humid conditions can also encourage fly activity, especially around stables, paddocks and areas where manure or damp organic material accumulates.

Common flies that bother horses include:

• House flies: Often gather around the eyes, nose and wounds, causing irritation.
• Stable flies: Biting flies that commonly target horses’ legs and lower bodies.
• Horse flies: Larger biting insects that can cause painful bites and significant discomfort.
• Bot flies: Lay eggs on a horse’s coat, which may be ingested during grooming.

Understanding which flies are bothering your horse can help you choose the most effective prevention methods.

Signs your horse is being bothered by flies

Horses have natural ways of dealing with flies, but excessive exposure can affect their comfort and wellbeing.

Watch for these common signs:

• Frequent tail swishing or skin twitching
• Repeated head shaking or ear flicking
• Stomping or kicking at their legs
• Restlessness while grazing or resting
• Small bites, bumps or irritated skin
• Excessive rubbing against fences or stable walls

If your horse develops persistent skin irritation, swelling, open sores or unusual behaviour, contact your veterinarian for advice.

Simple ways to protect your horse from flies

Use fly masks and protective rugs

Fly masks are a practical way to protect sensitive areas such as your horse’s eyes and ears.

Lightweight fly rugs can also provide additional protection across the body, particularly for horses spending extended periods outdoors.

Choose well-fitting, breathable products designed for horses, and regularly check for rubbing or discomfort.

Keep stables and paddocks clean

Flies are attracted to manure, damp bedding and decomposing organic material.

Maintaining a clean environment can help reduce the conditions that encourage flies to breed.

Try to:

• Remove manure from stables and high-use areas regularly.
• Replace wet or soiled bedding.
• Keep feed storage areas clean.
• Dispose of waste appropriately.
• Reduce unnecessary standing water and damp organic debris.

A cleaner environment can make a noticeable difference during warmer months.

Choose horse-safe fly repellents

Fly sprays and repellents can provide temporary protection against certain biting insects.

Always select products specifically labelled for use on horses and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Some products require frequent reapplication, particularly after sweating, bathing or rainfall.

Avoid applying repellents near sensitive areas unless the product instructions specifically permit it.

Provide shelter during peak fly activity

Certain biting flies are more active at particular times of day or under specific weather conditions.

Providing access to a shaded shelter or well-ventilated stable can give your horse somewhere to escape when flies become particularly bothersome.

Fans installed safely in stables may also help discourage some flying insects.

Maintain a regular grooming routine

Regular grooming is another useful part of horse fly prevention.

Brushing your horse allows you to check for bites, skin irritation, wounds and bot fly eggs while keeping their coat clean.

Pay particular attention to the legs, belly, face and areas where flies tend to gather.

Monitor your horse’s skin and overall health

Some horses are more sensitive to insect bites than others.

In certain cases, insect bites can trigger allergic skin reactions, including insect bite hypersensitivity, sometimes called sweet itch.

If your horse experiences repeated itching, hair loss, scabs or inflamed skin, speak with your veterinarian about suitable treatment and prevention options.

Can flies affect your horse’s health?

While many flies cause temporary irritation, some can contribute to more serious problems.

Biting insects may cause painful skin reactions, while excessive rubbing and scratching can damage the skin and increase the risk of secondary infection.

Some flies can also transmit disease-causing organisms, depending on the insect species and geographic location.

That’s why effective fly management is about more than keeping your horse comfortable. It’s also an important part of responsible horse care.

Keep your horse comfortable all season long

Warmer weather should mean more enjoyable rides, peaceful paddock time and happy days outdoors, not constant irritation from flies.

By combining regular grooming, good stable hygiene, appropriate fly protection and access to shelter, you can help your horse stay comfortable throughout the warmer months.

Always consult your veterinarian if your horse develops persistent irritation, swelling or signs of illness. Insurance cover is subject to policy terms, conditions, exclusions and limits. Read the PDS and TMD to determine whether the product is right for you.