A summer without flies: protect your horse from flies, mosquitoes and horseflies
A practical guide to choosing among fly sheets, masks, gels, sprays and shampoos — plus how to take care of wounds during the warm months.
When the warm weather arrives, the horse's real enemy is not always the sun: it's the clouds of flies, mosquitoes and horseflies that rise from every pasture and every stable. They break his rest, make him kick and shake constantly, and — worst of all — they can turn any open wound into a serious problem. That is why it pays to prepare the kit before July.
No single product is good for everything. Common flies land on the face and stick to the hair; mosquitoes and horseflies are the ones that bite. Each product is designed for a different scenario: a sheet protects the whole body while the horse is in the paddock, a mask covers the most sensitive area when you ride, a spray acts quickly but wears off with sweat, and a gel holds better on the face and delicate areas. The smart play is to combine them.
Physical protection: the first line of defence
Before any chemical, the cleanest move is to put a physical barrier between the insect and the horse. Fly sheets and masks contain no active ingredients, do not evaporate and last the whole season. If your horse spends many hours in the paddock, they are your first line of defence.
Fly sheets: which one to choose
The three sheets we recommend cover different situations. If your horse lives outdoors and you need maximum durability, the Rambo Hoody is virtually indestructible. If you want a balance between price and features, the Amigo with neck and detachable hood is very versatile. And if lightness with UV protection is your priority, the HV Polo HVPNena is perfect for very sunny days.
Top layer with UPF 50+ that reflects the sun, lightweight breathable mesh underneath: it protects without overheating the horse.
Rambo Hoody fly sheet with neck and hood
Extremely tough 1000D polyester, integrated hood and a mesh so fine it stops even the smallest mosquitoes. The most demanding option for both stable and pasture.
Amigo fly sheet with light-blue neck cover
Soft, absorbent mesh with sun-reflective properties and a detachable hood. Excellent value for daily use.
Masks: for the face, before the spray
Flies obsess over the eyes. A fly mask not only prevents nuisance: it prevents irritation, conjunctivitis and pollen allergies. There are two typical scenarios: an everyday mask (stable or paddock) and, if you ride, a mask compatible with the bridle, lightweight and with see-through panels.
HVPNena fly mask (with zipper)
Designed also for riding: mesh panels over eyes and ears, lightweight technical fabric with UV protection and a zipper closure. No restriction to vision or breathing.
Lightweight mask with ear covers (silver · navy)
A light model with silver lycra ear covers. Sized for cobs and ponies, it fits snugly and is very comfortable for everyday use.
A small piece that attaches with Velcro, especially useful for horses sensitive to face flies or allergic to pollen.
Repellents: the second shield
When the physical barrier doesn't reach — areas the sheet doesn't cover, work sessions, or simply for reinforcement — repellents come into play. The basic rule: spray for large surfaces, gel for delicate areas and the face. And within sprays, distinguish between natural formulas (for frequent application and sensitive horses) and reinforced formulas (for days of heavy infestation).
Gels: precision on the face and sensitive areas
A gel is not sprayed: it is applied by hand or sponge. That allows you to cover the eye contour, ear base, groin, sheath and flanks — exactly where flies bite most — with no risk of product entering the eyes. It also handles sweat better than a spray.
Power Phaser Durative — gel with sponge (500 ml)
High concentration of active ingredients. Protects against mosquitoes, horseflies, flies and ticks even when the horse sweats. Sponge included to apply with precision on the face and sensitive areas.
Ideal companion to the Flygard spray. Applied by hand or sponge: lets you cover sensitive areas (around eyes, ears, groin) with precision.
Sprays: the everyday tool
The spray is the fastest and most convenient option before turning out or riding. The strongest products (Flygard Extra Strength, Power Phaser) offer up to 7 hours of protection even with sweat. Natural ones (Bio Repel) are ideal for sensitive horses or when you want frequent application without harsh chemicals.
A non-trivial detail: the Flygard Extra Strength sprayer is silent. If your horse is nervous and hates the "pssh" of standard sprays, that's a concrete reason to choose it.
Flygard Extra Strength — spray (500 ml)
Extra-strong formula with immediate and long-lasting effect against any flying or biting insect. Non-greasy, invisible when dry, with a silent spray (important for nervous horses).
Power Phaser — up to 7h of protection
Economy-format spray with an optimised mix of long-lasting active ingredients: up to 7 hours of protection even with sweat.
Spray with citronella and geranium essential oils: natural protection without harsh chemicals, suitable for frequent application.
Repellent shampoo: protection from the bath
Rarely considered, but very effective. A shampoo with citronella and geranium (like Citro Shield) cleans and nourishes the skin while leaving a first repellent layer that lasts several days. Combine it with a Bio Repel spray after the bath and you multiply the effect.
Shampoo with citronella and geranium: it cleans, nourishes and creates a natural barrier that repels flies and mosquitoes. Ideal to reinforce afterwards with a spray.
The wound protector: the summer insurance
The Alufilm is a spray dressing based on colloidal silver and micronised aluminium. When dry it forms a silver-grey protective film that waterproofs the wound, absorbs small secretions and — crucially — prevents flies from landing and laying eggs on it. Always keep one in the kit during summer: the bottle is small, but it solves the emergency on the spot.
Alufilm — silver wound-protector spray
Spray dressing with micronised aluminium powder. When dry it forms a protective screen that isolates the wound from the outside, absorbs secretions and prevents fly contamination.
How to put it all together: a typical summer day
If we had to sum it up in a practical routine, it would be this:
- In the morning, before turning out: fly sheet + mask + a quick pass with a long-lasting spray (Power Phaser or Flygard).
- Before riding: gel on the face and sensitive areas (sprays evaporate faster during work).
- Bath day: Citro Shield shampoo, and reinforce with Bio Repel once dry.
- If a wound appears: clean + Alufilm. Don't wait until tomorrow.
A horse's summer is managed with prevention, not with rush. Arriving prepared in July saves many headaches in August.
In our horse section you'll find the complete catalogue of all these products, with available sizes and colours. If you're unsure which combination suits your horse best, feel free to get in touch and we'll help you choose.