Problems affecting horses and ponies

Midges and flies can cause considerable irritation to horses and riders throughout the months of April to October. Firstly, they can cause behavioural problems in some horses who seem ‘driven to distraction’ by the constant presence of the flies. The flies can also cause medical problems for your horse. Some horses will be left with irritation and swelling from the fly bites that can cause a problem, particularly if the sores are on the saddle area. Eye infections can also occur due to the face flies feeding. However, one of the worst problems that can occur is sweet-itch.

Treatment

Conventional treatments for allergies and irritation to fly bites in equines include administration of corticosteroids. These depress the immune system resulting in temporary relief for your horse. However, one of the side effects of these is laminitis so careful consideration on the real need for these is required. Antihistamines may also be given, though these can also cause other problems as the dosage must be very high so can cause your horse to become drowsy.

Most people are now looking for natural alternatives to help relieve their horses of the problems associated with fly allergies and irritations.

Flies and Midges Affecting Horses

There are many types of flies that can cause both irritation and damage to your horse. These include stable flies, horse flies, midges and face flies.

Stable Flies – These are 6-7mm long and are a greyish brown colour. Both male anf female stable flies feed on blood. The peak feeding activity of these flies is in the early morning and evening when they cause significant irritation to your horse. These flies prefer to feed on the legs and belly of the horse, causing it to stamp its feet. Stable flies deposit their eggs in excrement mixed with straw or shavings, therefore stable hygiene plays an important role in keeping their numbers down.

Horse Flies – These are large biting flies that inflict sore bites. They can cause horses to become restless or even unmanageable when they try to escape an attack. Only female horse flies feed on blood.

Midges – These are a serious pest to both humans and horses due to their large numbers. The irritation these tiny flies cause can be significant. It is the saliva of the midge that causes sweet-itch in some horses.

Face Flies – These flies are generally associated with cows but are also a pest to horses. They do not actually bite your horse but feed on secretions around the eyes, causing irritation and sometimes infection.

Five Steps to Protect Against Fly Irritation

When a horse suffers from fly irritation, its comfort and quality of life are entirely dependant on its owner’s management practices. This is definitely a case where prevention is better than a cure.

1. Use an insect repellent! – applied at least twice daily.

2. Invest in a bug rug. These are lightweight rugs that act like a fly net to prevent the flies attacking the horse.

3. Avoid turning the horse out on wet or boggy fields as these provide an ideal habitat and breeding ground for midges. Ideally the horses should be kept on an open hillside or on a coastal site. These areas are more exposed and windy which will help to deter the flies.

4. Ensure pasture is free from rotting vegetation, (eg, muck heap, rotting leaves), as these are also breeding grounds for midges and flies. Lifting droppings from fields regularly will also help.

5. Avoid riding when the midges are at their worst.

Stable the horse for an hour at dusk and dawn or between the hours of 4pm and 8am. Ensure the stable is kept clean. A large ceiling fan in the stable and a fly screen over the door can also be helpful.

Sweet-Itch

Sweet-itch is seen in horses that are hypersensitive to the bites of the midge, (Culicoides fly). These horses are allergic to a substance in the saliva of the fly that causes a reaction if they are bitten. This in turn causes the horse to scratch itself intensely to try to relieve the irritation. The flies feed on specific areas of the horse, particularly around the head, tail, rump and withers. In severe cases the chest, back and belly may also be affected. The hair over these areas tends to be lost due to constant rubbing. This rubbing also causes the skin to become red, inflamed and eventually thickened. Careful management of this disease is required.