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The best fly sprays for horses that really work are an absolute lifesaver in the summer months – they are highly effective and long-lasting, which negates the need for constant reapplication. Flies are a general nuisance, but for some horses their bites can lead to reactions and persistent itching and discomfort. With a wide range of flying insects across the country, protecting your horse can present a challenge.

What is the best way to keep flies off horses?

Using a range of methods to protect your horse from flies is most effective. Preventing flies from landing in the first instance is the best solution for protecting your horse – in addition to the best fly spray for horses, you can use fly gels, lotions or washes as well as fly masks and fly rugs to arm your horse with a full defence. Fly gels are particularly handy if your horse is averse to the spray. It can be a case of trial and error to find out what works for your horse, but once you’ve found a solution you can buy in bulk and save money in the long run. Some owners swear by their own home recipes for fly spray.

Some of the best fly deterrents contain synthetic active ingredients such as DEET or permethrin, some of which are insecticides, while other sprays contain natural ingredients known to deter a range of flying insects. Some formulas will need to be reapplied more often than others, so while some appear to be more expensive they may last you a lot longer. It’s also wise to consider the bottle and spray type – finding a gentle and quiet spray with good coverage can be difference between a calm and stressful turnout routine.

In the UK there are a lot of restrictions about what can be called a fly repellent, what can be applied to your horse and how companies can talk about different products. This guide includes a full range of fly deterrents and summer sprays – those you can apply to your horse, as well as those that should be applied to his living area or your feed room. Some products in this guide have been approved for use on animals in the US, while in the UK they are only approved for premise use around horses. Anyone choosing to use the spray in a manner that is not in line with the guidance on the bottle’s label, does so at their own risk.

Best fly sprays for horses and their premises

Absorbine Ultrashield Insecticide

Active ingredients: Permethrin and pyrethrin | Sizes: 946ml | RRP: £29.33 | H&H review: 10/10, H&H Approved |

This spray provides what is described as an ‘instant knock-down’ to nuisance insects, as well as a long-lasting protective ‘shield’. This new bottle provides an ergonomic grip, plus a vertical and horizontal fan spray option, for upside-down usage and hard-to-reach areas, which also makes sure you can use every last drop.

When we tested this fly spray, it came out in an even, thick mist — thanks to the fan-style sprayer — and coated surfaces well. We found the product lasted a long time – just under three months for one horse – and offered good value for money.

Read H&H’s independent Absorbine Ultrashield review.

In the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk, viovet.co.uk or equus.co.uk
In the US? View now at amazon.com or chewy.com

Leovet Power Phaser

Sizes: 550ml, 2.5l | RRP: £21.45 for 550ml | H&H review: 10/10, H&H Approved |

This blend of effective ingredients provides a long-lasting stay-off effect from all insects, even when your horse sweats. Correctly applied, this product can last up to seven hours. Also available as 75ml roll on.

We found this product to be really effective and good value. It has a strong smell so isn’t for everyone, but it really works.

Read H&H’s independent Leovet Power Phaser review.

In the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk, viovet.co.uk, equus.co.uk, naylors.com or rideawaystore.com

Farnam Tri-Tec 14

Active ingredients: Cypermethrin and pyrethrins | Sizes: 600ml, 946ml, 3.8l | RRP: £29.95 for 600ml | H&H review: 9/10, H&H Approved |

This spray is the leading fly product in the US. It kills horse flies, mosquitoes, Scottish midges, mites, stable flies, crab flies, deer flies and ticks. The water-based formula has a nice scent and can stay in place for up to 14 days.

When testing this product, we found it was powerful and effective at repelling flies while riding and in the field. It doesn’t need to be applied daily so it’s a great spray if your horse lives out and doesn’t get washed off regularly because it lasts for ages.

Read H&H’s independent Tri-Tec 14 review.

In the UK? View now at viovet.co.uk, equus.co.uk or rideawaystore.com
In the US? View now at amazon.com, chewy.com or rideawaystore.com

Barrier Super Plus Fly Repellent

Active ingredients: Eucalyptus citriodora oil | Sizes: 500ml, 1l, 5l | RRP: From £12.83 for 500ml | H&H Review: 9/10, H&H Approved |

Trusted by many horse owners, this fly repellent deters all flying insects and calms the effects of midge bites. The pleasant-smelling formula contains a blend of concentrated herbal oils, volatile essential oils and pure avocado oil, which is a skin and coat conditioner. The trigger spray has a quiet, fine action, and the formula is also available in a refill bottle.

When testing this fly spray, we found it conditioned the coat a lot more than other fly sprays we tested. While some repellents can be effective, they can dry the coat out and make it tacky on the touch, but this spray would be ideal for using when going to competitions, as it boasted shine on the hair and conditioned the coat, all while repelling flies.

Read H&H’s independent full Barrier Super Plus fly spray review.

In the UK? View at amazon.co.uk, viovet.co.uk, equus.co.uk, naylors.com or rideawaystore.com 

Carr & Day & Martin Flygard Extra Strength Insect Repellent Spray

Active ingredients: DEET | Sizes: 500ml, 1l | RRP: £16.75 | H&H Review: 8/10 |

This spray is described as an effective alternative to a natural-based repellent. The formula offers protection from midges and biting insects and contains the proven, researched active ingredient DEET at an optimum level of 20% for long-lasting protection.

When we tested this fly spray, we found the spray mechanism was brilliant; it was hard-wearing, robust and provided an even coating of liquid when sprayed onto the coat. It would survive being passed around on a working yard and would be fine to throw into the lorry without worry that it would leak or spill. We found it was good to use, too, especially on horses who were not keen on sprayers as it was easy to apply and the mist was delicate.

Read H&H’s independent full Carr & Day & Martin Flygard Extra Strength review.

In the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk, viovet.co.uk or equus.co.uk

Equine America Forget Flies Silent Spray

Sizes: 500ml | RRP: £22.99 |

This fly spray is designed for nervous and sensitive horses who dislike the noise of a normal spray – it has a “significantly reduced hiss”. With the help of the latest technology, Forget Flies improves the repelling properties of garlic without the use of chemicals. It has a lemongrass aroma.

In the UK? View now at equine-america.co.uk

Nettex Standard Fly Repellent

Sizes: 250ml, 500ml, 2l | RRP: £14.90 for 500ml | H&H review: 8/10 |

This DEET-based formula has added moisturisers and conditioners and is ideal for everyday use. It repels flies, stable flies, and all biting insects.

This spray proved really effective against the midges and other annoying flies, when we tested it, but we found it was not so effective against the horseflies.

Read H&H’s independent full Nettex fly spray review.

In the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk, viovet.co.uk, equus.co.uk or rideawaystore.com

NAF Off DEET Power Performance

Sizes: 750ml, 2.5l, 5l | RRP: £19.99 for 750ml |

This concentrated anti-fly and anti-insect repellent spray from NAF is designed for year-round protection from a wide range of pests. Contains 19.6% DEET.

In the UK? View at amazon.co.uk, viovet.co.uk, equus.co.uk, naylors.com or rideawaystore.com
In the US? View at amazon.com

Lincoln Power Repel

Sizes: 500ml, 1l, 4l | RRP: £18.50 for 500ml |

This dual-action formula uses DEET and PMD to provide effective protection for up to 12 hours. It’s effective against flying insects, midges, gnats, and horseflies, and has a pleasant lemongrass oil fragrance.

In the UK? View now at viovet.co.uk

Botanica Fly Spray

Sizes: 750ml | RRP: £19.79 |

This all-natural plant-based spray can be used directly on your horse. It’s described as sweat resistant and a deterrent to all insects.

In the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk or viovet.co.uk

Cavalor FlyLess

Active ingredients: Icaridine | Sizes: 500ml | RRP: £24 | H&H Review: 7/10 |

This gentle and non-sticky formula protects against horseflies, flies, mosquitoes, ticks and other insects. It contains icaridine, which forms a scented blanket on the skin, disrupting the mechanism that attracts insects to human and animal skin.

We found this bottle to be really robust with a great spray mechanism. It didn’t last as long as others, but we think it’s a great option to have on show day before you go in the ring.

Read H&H’s full independent Cavalor FlyLess review.

In the UK? View at amazon.co.uk or viovet.co.uk

Shires Ezi-Groom Citronella Spray

Sizes: 500ml | RRP: £8.99 |

This spray from Shires contains a natural blend of citronella, lavender oil, chrysanthemum oil and tea tree oil.

In the UK? View now at viovet.co.uk, equus.co.uk or naylors.com

WildWash Equine Summer Spray

Sizes: 300ml, 1l, 5l | RRP: £14.95 for 300ml |

Made in England, this natural and pH balanced formula is made of pure essential oils. Horsetail, eucalyptus and nettle are combined to create an effective and aroma, which will last up to 24 hours, for summer use.

In the UK? View now at notonthehighstreet.com

Fouganza Fougafly

Sizes: 500ml | RRP: £14.99 |

This spray keep flying insects (horseflies, flies, gnats, and mosquitos) and ticks away from your horse and provides up to eight hours of protection.

In the UK? View now at decathlon.co.uk

Global Herbs Citronella Spray

Sizes: 750ml | RRP: £13.08 |

This soothing citrus spray contains lavender, tea tree and lemongrass essential oils. This gentle spray has a pleasant fragrance and will also soothe your horse’s skin.

In the UK? View now at viovet.co.uk or equus.co.uk

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