A little entomology for horse owners

They are by far the most species-rich class of animals in the world – insects. Almost one million different species are already known to scientists. Most of them prefer warm and dry climates, which is why you hardly ever come across them in winter. Even if you don’t want to admit it as a rider, most of the small insects that populate the pasture and the stable every day in summer are incredibly important for a functioning ecosystem. In summer, however, insects can quickly become a nuisance – for us humans and also for our horses. The stable environment offers the perfect conditions for horse flies, mosquitoes and flies. They love the smell of sweat from horse and rider and find optimal breeding grounds in dung heaps, on damp paddocks, in horse troughs and feed troughs.

Foal and mare in the pasture

If you want to be prepared for the insect-rich summer in the stable and take care of the best possible protection for yourself and your horse, you should know exactly which animals you are dealing with. In our latitudes, it is mainly the following insects that make life difficult for our horses in summer:

Ticks
Zecke
Black flies
Kriebelmücke
Gnats
Gnitze
Horse flies
Bremse
Bot flies
Magendassel
HabitatTall grassIn swarms near water bodies & woodsNear dung heaps and standing water at duskHorse paddock, edge of woodsEggs: Horse coat
Larvae: Stomach
Stinging/Biting
YesYesYesYesNo
Risks
Carriers of Lyme disease & TBEAllergic reactions due to histamine in savia, swellings, inflammations, outbreak of sweet itchAllergic reactions, very persistent and thus nerve-straining for the horseTransmission of diseases such as Lyme disease, anthrax, tularaemia, Weil’s deseaseDigestive disorders, stomach ulcers, colic
Protective measuresCheck for ticks after grazing, vaccination against Lyme diseaseAvoid water, cover body with textilesAvoid grazing in the evening, textile protection, especially on tail and mane, paddock careTextile protection, paddock careRemove eggs from coat before they enter the stomach through licking or scratching
Important accessories
Tick tweezersSweet itch rugs, Fly sprayFly rug with neck piece, Fly sprayHorsefly trap, Fly spraybot knife

Selected fly protection articles

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THERMO MASTER Fly Protection Combi Rug Kadir Fly - 414234
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NEW

THERMO MASTER

Fly Protection Combi Rug Kadir Fly

£74.90

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THERMO MASTER Fly Protection Rug Phileas - 414239
NEW
NEW

THERMO MASTER

Fly Protection Rug Phileas

£59.90

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Felix Bühler Full Neck Fly Rug Timeless Elegance with Detachable Neck Piece - 422450
NEW
NEW

Felix Bühler

Customer review of the product 3

Full Neck Fly Rug Timeless Elegance with Detachable Neck Piece

£94.90

Customer review of the product 3
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SHOWMASTER Bot Knife - 431470

SHOWMASTER

Customer review of the product 1

Bot Knife

£5.99

Customer review of the product 1
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Kramer Tick Tweezers - 431481

Kramer

Tick Tweezers

£1.99

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THERMO MASTER Sweet Itch Rug Dahna - 421886

THERMO MASTER

Customer review of the product 8

Sweet Itch Rug Dahna

£84.90

Customer review of the product 8
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THERMO MASTER Zebra Fly Rug - 422062

THERMO MASTER

Zebra Fly Rug

£44.90

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SHOWMASTER Horsefly and Wasp Trap - 450619

SHOWMASTER

Horsefly and Wasp Trap

£49.90

Printable insect flight calendar for horse and rider

Would you like to know which insects are currently in flight season? The printable calendar helps you to specifically ward off the insects that are most common in the stable and paddock and shows when it is time to make an effort to actively protect your horse from flies.