Fly strike and insect harassment cause significant welfare problems for horses during summer months, requiring active management to maintain comfort and prevent disease.
The welfare impact of fly harassment on horses is often underestimated by owners who observe horses as appearing to cope with insects. In reality, horses in high insect burden situations spend significant energy on fly-defensive behaviors, lose feeding time to insects, and may show signs of significant stress and discomfort. Horses with wounds are at acute risk of fly strike, which causes tissue damage and can be rapidly fatal if not treated. Summer welfare for horses requires proactive fly management as a standard care component, not an optional extra.