Summer is here! Unfortunately, along with the warmer weather, the change of season brings a few less-welcomed things… such as flies. Flies are definitely one of the downsides of stable life, and are troublesome to both people and horses. Read on as a local Park County, CO vet offers tips on keeping these pesky insects out of your barn.

Move The Manure

Have your manure picked up and moved to another location every week, or every two weeks at most. Also, we recommend keeping manure piles as far away from the barn as possible. Another thing that can help is to spray manure piles with a water/vinegar mix.

Commercial Products

Don’t forget about commercial products! Fly strips are very popular in the horse world, and with good reason: they do take out a lot of bugs. Just be sure to change them regularly. Chemical products, such as timed-release sprayers, can also help. However, it’s worth noting that some commercial products can be irritating to people and animals with allergies or sensitivities. Ask your vet for specific recommendations.

Fans

Flies don’t do very well when they have to battle strong air currents. Keep fans running in your barn. This will also help ensure proper ventilation.

Supplements

Certain supplements can also help cut down on the amount of flies you have in your barn. Ask your vet for specific recommendations.

Sealed Containers

Make sure to use sealed containers for storing feed. This applies to garbage cans, too: even a sandwich wrapper in the tack room wastebasket can attract pests. We also recommend throwing out empty feedbags right away.

Good Drainage

Poor drainage can contribute to all sorts of issues, including flies. If your stable has areas where there is often standing water, look into improving your drainage. Also, remember to dump out containers that collect rainwater, such as wheelbarrows.

Outdoor Areas

Pastures, paddocks, and outdoor riding rings should be cleaned regularly. Remove manure piles from these areas to keep them clean and sanitary.

Screens

Sometimes simple solutions can help quite a bit! Put screens in wherever they are feasible, such as in tack rooms, feed rooms, and break rooms.

Do you have questions or concerns about your horse’s health, diet, or care? We can help! Contact us, your local Park County, CO animal clinic, today! We are dedicated to providing excellent veterinary care.