Fly masks, fly leg wraps, and fly sheets are essential protective gear to guard our horses against flies. But this spring, barn owners can get to the root cause of the issue– the fly population at the barn– and take necessary steps to reduce the population as a whole.
Move that Manure
This spring, set some time aside to evaluate your manure pile. Is it as far away from the horse’s living area as possible? Manure is a prime breeding ground for flies and other pests. Poorly maintained manure piles retain moisture from both urine and rain, creating the ideal environment for fly larvae. As the manure decomposes, it becomes a built-in buffet for fly larvae and adult flies alike. The heat generated from decomposition is the cherry on top, and turns your manure pile into a five-star hotel for flies and fly larvae.
The longer manure is left to sit in a barn or paddock, the more it accumulates and attracts flies. Without proper management, this becomes an ongoing cycle of reproduction.
Spring To-Do List:
- Have manure pile removed or hauled away before the warm weather hits
- Evaluate its location on the farm and brainstorm ways to move it further from the horses
- Pick stalls and pastures regularly
- Refresh boarders' memories on rules around picking up manure quickly from rings and aisle ways.
Take Advantage of Beneficial Birds
Swallows are often thought of as just another barn pest, pooping on top of hay and in aisles. But Swallows are actually a natural predator of flies and other annoying insects. Think of it this way: a single female fly can lay anywhere between 500 and 2,000 eggs in her lifetime, particularly if the environmental conditions are perfect. This high reproductive rate can cause fly populations to explode in a short amount of time. A female fly eaten by a swallow reduces your potential fly population by a minimum of 500 flies.
Attract swallows to the appropriate areas on your farm by installing nesting boxes near manure piles. Keep manure piles in open, airy spaces, ideally surrounded by trees or man-made wires to offer swallows a place to rest.
Spring To-Do List:
- Provide a water source for birds in the desired location
- Create resting areas near manure pile, such as trees or wires
- Install nesting boxes near manure pile
Drain Water Sources
Standing water is the ideal breeding ground for mosquitoes and flies, especially as the weather warms up. Eliminating standing water around the barn prevents flies from breeding in wet areas. To reduce your farm’s fly population, reduce mud in pastures by adding gravel or creating drainage ditches to move water away from pastures and to areas with better drainage. Spring is the perfect time to evaluate where water collects in your pastures– take advantage of the spring showers!
Barn owners can also eliminate standing water on the farm by waiting to fill buckets and troughs until needed. For example, dump indoor water buckets immediately after the horses are turned out for the evening. Animal waste and bedding are also significant sources of moisture on farms, make sure stalls are cleaned regularly and boarders and riders are picking up their horse’s manure quickly.
Spring To-Do List:
- Evaluate low areas in pastures or near barn and improve drainage
- Empty and clean water troughs
- Remove broken and leaking water troughs
- Adjust barn chore schedule to eliminate standing water sources
The Right Products Protect Your Horse from Flies
This spring, take inventory of your fly protection products before fly season hits. Evaluate fly sheets for rips or tears, and replace ones that have worn out. Make sure every horse on the farm has a good fly mask that won’t chafe and will protect their sensitive face from flies. Before fly season hits, make sure you have fly gear to cover your horse from nose to tail, such as a fly mask, fly leg wraps, and fly sheet.
The TuffRider Daisy Print Fly Mask without Ears combines the best of fashion and function. Crafted for durability, this fly mask provides protection from pesky flies and also UV protection from the sun. With white fleece trim to prevent chafing, this fly mask is perfect for horses who won’t tolerate something around their ears, but who still need the benefits of fly protection.
With a new and improved design, the TuffRider Fly Leg Wraps are back for 2024! With 4 hook and loop closures, they easily stay in place during turnout. Plus, fewer irritating flies around their legs means your horse will stomp less, protecting their hooves and legs from needless concussion and irritation.
Finally, Miller’s Standard Fly Sheet is designed to be a healthy choice for both your horse and your wallet. Featuring twin front closures and low cross surcingles, this sheet is designed for maximum protection and ease of use. Thanks to the secure fit of the Miller’s Fly Sheet, your horse can say goodbye to pesky insects out in the pasture.
Breeches.com is Your Source for All of Your Fly Protection Needs
High-quality fly protection horse clothing is essential gear for farms impacted by flies– which is nearly every farm! On Breeches.com, we offer quality tack and equipment at great prices. With new fly masks, fly sheets, and fly boots coming out this season from brands like TuffRider and Miller’s, we’re here to help with all of your fly protection needs.