Companion Animal Welfare

Horse Fly Control and Summer Welfare

Flying insects cause significant welfare harm to horses in summer through irritation, pain, and disease transmission requiring integrated management approaches.

Key Facts

Face flies cause intense irritation around the eyes transmitting conjunctivitis and other infections
Bot fly larvae mature in the horse's stomach causing gastric irritation and ulceration
Sweet itch from Culicoides biting midges causes severe pruritic reactions in sensitive horses
Chemical repellents provide partial protection requiring frequent reapplication
Physical barriers including fly rugs, masks, and stabling during peak times reduce exposure

Welfare Considerations

Summer fly burden causes chronic irritation, self-trauma from rubbing, and anxiety that reduces welfare significantly for affected horses. Integrated management combining physical protection, repellents, environmental management, and timing of turnout dramatically reduces the welfare burden.

What You Can Do

Use fly rugs, masks, and appropriate repellents during peak fly season
Consider summer stabling during peak fly activity periods for highly sensitive horses
Implement environmental management including muck heap removal to reduce fly breeding sites