FLY REPELLENTS
Applying a fly repellent should make your horse very unattractive to those annoying pests but which ones do the job? We put seven to the test to find out
THROUGH THE SUMMER you can need an endless supply of fly repellent to keep your horse content. To help you buy the most effective one, Your Horse associate editor Allison Lowther has put some well-known brands to the test. They’ve been tested on her two horses who are turned out daily for up to 12 hours (and marked out of a total of 15).
l1 NAF Off Deet Power Performance Spray
PRICE From £16.99 for 750ml (£2.26 per 100ml) www.naf-equine.eu/uk Effectiveness Although this repellent is effective at keeping the flies away and seems to last well, both horses were fidgety while it was applied and immediately afterwards did an all-over body shake. Value for money A fair price and would have scored higher if the effffects lasted longer.
Score: 13
l2 Fly Away Defleqt Repellent Spray
PRICE £10.50 for 500ml (£2.10 per 100ml) www.flyaway.ltd.uk Effectiveness This repellent has a quite a strong smell of citrus, which can be a little overpowering. The horses seemed less irritated by flies when first turned out but the effects didn’t last long. Value for money Fair price but this repellent needs regular application.
Score 12.5
l3 Equimins Extra Strength Fly Repellent
PRICE £14.70 for 500ml (£2.94 per 100ml) www.equimins.com Effectiveness Does a good job and the horses seemed less bothered by flies when it was first applied. However, I found that it didn’t last very long and both horses were soon quite irritated by flies. Value for money A pity the effects didn’t last very long.
Score 12.5
l4 Cavalor Flyless
Price £28 for 500ml (£5.60 per 100ml) www.zebraproducts.co.uk Effectiveness Works well and its effects last. The horses were happy and not bothered by flies, even when they’d been out for around eight hours. Value for money This is very effective but also expensive.
Score 13
Nettex Fly Repellent Advanced
PRICE £14.99 for 500ml (£3 per 100ml) www.nettexequine.com Effectiveness Both horses were less bothered by flies for most of the day but more repellent was needed by evening. I didn’t feel it offered the controlled release for up to 72 hours, which Nettex claims. Value for money Not the cheapest and its effects didn’t last very long.
Score 13
l6 Safe Care Equine Fly Repellent
PRICE £9.99 for 750ml (£1.32 per 100ml) www.safecare-equine.com Effectiveness A long-lasting, great-smelling repellent. Neither horse seemed bothered by flies, even when they were out all day. Value for money On effffffectiveness and price, it can’t be faulted.
Score 15
l7 Wild Wash Flea and Bug Repellent
PRICE £14.95 for 300ml (£4.98 per 100ml) www.wildwash.co.uk Effectiveness Very effective and I love that it contains all natural ingredients. Neither horse minded it being applied and the blend of plants and herbs (such as horsetail, eucalyptus and nettle) work together to deter flflfleas, flflies, mites and ticks. Value for money I can’t fault the effffffectiveness. If this had a better spray and was more economical to use, it’d be a winner.
Score 13.5