This is an archived Horseadvice.com Discussion. The parent article and menus are available on the navigation menu below:
HorseAdvice.com » Horse Care » Routine Horse Care » Controlling Houseflies and Biting Flies »
  Discussion on Does anyone use Fly Free Zone Horse Collars and Legbands?
Author Message
Member:
Tuckern

Posted on Sunday, Jun 4, 2006 - 4:34 pm:

Hi Dr. O and HA members,

I've been looking through all of the different ways to keep flies and mosquitoes off of my horses and came across a product called Fly Free Zone. They have neck collars and legbands. They are supposed to repel flies, gnats and mosquitoes for two months. The active ingredients are: Citronella, Geranoil, and Cedar Oil.

Does anyone have any experience with these?

I use fly sheets and fly masks on both of my horses now. My mare is fine with the mask and sheet, she really likes them. However, my 4 year old is very destructive. He's torn up two fly masks already, and I don't want to keep buying more, if he's just going to tear them up. On the other hand, the bugs are bugging his face, and he's always shaking his head, and rubbing his eyes on the fence. He also has sensitive skin, and haven't been able to find a spray repellent that he can tolerate.

Dr. O, do you know of any concern about having these collars/legbands against their skin/hair for such a prolonged time?

Thanks in advance,
Nicole in New Mexico
Member:
Djws

Posted on Monday, Jun 5, 2006 - 12:01 am:

Nicole,

I used the collar and leg bands in August and September of '05 and for the past 3 weeks with good results. My gelding also has sensitive skin. I put them on when I feed in the morning and remove them as late as I can in the evening. I know they aren't supposed to get wet so, if rain is predicted, I leave them off (I believe exposure to an abundance of water ruins the effectiveness). The scent that is emitted from the collar/leg bands is VERY strong. I thought my guy would not be happy with the smell because he is ultra sensitive to odors. Surprisingly, he doesn't seem to mind! I have not encountered any problems with skin irritation or hair loss. He is not entirely fly-free but, I've not heard of any product (chemical or natural) that is 100% effective with these pests!

I use a Cashel's Crusader fly mask with ears and long nose. My horse loves it! Last summer I had a difficult time getting a mask on him. With this mask, he practically puts it on alone-LOL! Call me crazy but, I think he knows he gets relief with this mask because it keeps the gnats out of his ears! A friend of mine uses this mask on a horse that also is tough on his fly gear. She reports that he has yet to get this mask off. It really stays put! I would highly recommend this one! I also use their rider's fly mask and it's wonderful! https://www.cashelcompany.com/

Have you tried Farnam's roll-on fly repellent? I have great success with it also-especially around the eyes and ears (when not using a mask). I like the roll-on because I control where it goes. My 13 year hates the spray (especially if a breeze comes along and blows it up by his face)!

One bit of advice. When using the collar/leg bands, make SURE you WASH your hands with soap ASAP after handling them. I made the mistake of only WIPING my hands off. I later touched my face and the oily residue (mixed with some perspiration) got into my eyes! It stings! DUH!

Good luck!
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Monday, Jun 5, 2006 - 8:11 am:

I am concerned they will be irritating to some horses, or that they may get caught on something.
DrO
Member:
Nadia

Posted on Monday, Jun 5, 2006 - 8:25 am:

I have used these (leg bands only) the past few years for my horse that has some spring/summer allergies. When you first open them up, the smell is quite strong. It weakens within a few days. It didn't bother my horse or his allergies. I think it does help, but doesn't last as long as the box says (60 days?) I used the neck band only the first year. Due to the strong smell being so close to his head, I didn't use it after that. I could see the neck band getting caught, but it never did with my horse. It is plastic that will rip if it gets caught (the plastic is fairly strong, though.) I will be buying more leg bands shortly. I use the roll-on insect repellent on his head.
Member:
Mrose

Posted on Monday, Jun 5, 2006 - 11:24 am:

I've used the neck bands in the past. My problem was the horses took them off each other. Other than that, they worked pretty good.
Member:
Tuckern

Posted on Monday, Jun 5, 2006 - 5:05 pm:

Thanks every one for your comments. I think I'm going to get the neck bands and see how they do on my horses. I will watch carefully for irritation.

From what I understand, they just snap on, so it should break easily if it gets caught on something, right?

I have heard of the roll-on repellent, but haven't tried it. I'll go by the feed store after work and see if they carry it.

DJ, I have tried a Cashel Crusader, Felarof was able to get it off too! He seems to be able to find the weakest part of the mask, get it hooked on the fence, and then use his weight to literally tear it in two. I swear, he is sometimes too smart for his britches. Of course, this is the same horse that knows how to untie knots, too. He's very creative. He's only 4, and has just two brain cells, lol, but when they work together, he usually gets into trouble! :0)

Anyway, thanks again!
Nicole in New Mexico
Member:
Djws

Posted on Monday, Jun 5, 2006 - 9:45 pm:

Nicole,

Yes, they do snap on.

The strength of the odor dissipates in less than a week, but I can still smell it after several weeks. I agree that they don't last 60 days (more like 5 weeks).

I check for irritation every day and have yet to find any.

Felarof must be a regular Houdini! Your description made me LOL! I am certain that it becomes very expensive for you to try different items!

I hope you like the roll-on repellent. I get mine from Jeffers or Country Supply online. (MUCH cheaper than at our local feed stores)!

Again, good luck!
Member:
Paul303

Posted on Monday, Jun 5, 2006 - 10:07 pm:

There is a spray that hunters use on their clothes. You spray the clothing and let it dry. Then it says it should last for 2 weeks. This year, I've sprayed the fly masks with it. You can't use it directly on skin. It works on MY clothes and has cut down on tick bites around my horses heads. It seems to repel the flys also. I use conventional sprays on their bodies.

I've used the neck and leg bands also. They were somewhat effective, but nothing incredible. And I was the one who got a headache from the smell!
Member:
Erika

Posted on Tuesday, Jun 6, 2006 - 9:42 pm:

Are the leg/ neck bands the same as flea collars for dogs? If so they can be toxic--wouldn't want a young horse to eat one.
They used to sell that stuff as "Shell No Pest Strips" in the 60's for people's homes. Toxic stuff. Maybe not the same thing anymore...just a thought.
Member:
Tuckern

Posted on Wednesday, Jun 7, 2006 - 5:45 pm:

From what I understand, the active ingredient in most flea/tick collars I've run across is propoxur, which is a pesticide, so definitely toxic.

But the active ingredients of the horse bands are Citronella, Geranoil, and Cedar Oil.

Dr. O, are these ingredients toxic to horses if they should chew on the bands?

Good Thought, Thanks!

Nicole
Member:
Tuckern

Posted on Wednesday, Jun 7, 2006 - 5:54 pm:

DJ,

Yes, Felarof is definitely a Houdini. The only good thing, I guess, is that's he's kept me honest about keeping the fencing/equipment in tip top shape. He lets me know exactly the stuff that is weak, and needs fixing, LOL.

I've only had him about 5 months, and yes, it is quickly becoming expensive buying stuff for him. But one of my rules for him is, if he tears something up twice (like a fly mask), I'm not buying anymore, we will both just have to learn to live without it, hehehe.

I bought him his first fly sheet the other day, just a simple, cheap one, and so far, it's been on him a week and there's no holes in it yet, so that's good.

Nicole
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Jun 8, 2006 - 10:26 am:

It would take a lot to be toxic Nicole, but neither are they that effective at repelling flies.
DrO
Member:
Prakashb

Posted on Monday, Jun 12, 2006 - 2:46 am:

I did recently have a problem with the feet bracelets. I used the white colored ones a few months ago and it worked great, but i recently tried the lime green colored ones, and they may have gotten wet in the rain, but my horses legs lost the hair where the where ( a week after i took them off noticing some irritation), and now it seems that she is developing some type of fungus with scabs and sores surrounding the area. So i would be cautious. I did like the other brand, I will try to look up the name for it.
Member:
Tuckern

Posted on Tuesday, Jun 13, 2006 - 3:42 pm:

Oh wow, thank you for your input. Have you been able to figure out what's going on with the sores? Did the white colored ones you used ever get wet?
New Member:
Banita

Posted on Wednesday, Jul 12, 2006 - 12:21 pm:

I've tried the leg and neck bands and only use them on my dog now. They make them for dogs as well. The horses would not keep them on, especially the leg ones. I did not have problems with irritation, but maybe that's because no one would keep them on long enough.

My problem this summer is with face flies. I am using the feed through Solitude IGR (?) and it is working great for stable flies. But the face flies don't appear to be very affected. So they must be breeding somewhere else.

I've also used the fly predator wasps in the past, but I'm having much better luck with the Solitude.

Anyone have any luck with controlling face flies? We do use fly masks, but a couple of the geldings don't like those either and will not keep them on. We've tried every kind you can get, and they get them all off.

Thanks
Member:
Djws

Posted on Wednesday, Jul 12, 2006 - 2:15 pm:

Jane-

Have you tried Farnam's roll-on repellent?

When not using a fly mask, I use this product.

I have been extremely happy with it.
Member:
Tuckern

Posted on Wednesday, Jul 12, 2006 - 7:49 pm:

Thank you Jane for your comments about the neck and leg bands. I am still planning on getting the neckbands to see how they work.

As of now, I've been able to keep fly masks on both horses for three weeks. yay!

The gelding tore a brand new one off his face and tore one of the ear covers off. Since he did that, he's been a happy camper with the same mask. So, he's got a fly mask with one ear covered and one uncovered. LOL. It's the only one he'll wear, I've tried ones without ears, and he takes them off too, but he likes the one with just one ear.

What ever works, right? :0)

Nicole
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Jul 13, 2006 - 6:18 am:

Hello Jane,
Be sure to run a search on "face flies" as this is an often and well discussed problem.
DrO
Home Page | Top of Page | Join Us!
Horseadvice.com is a BBB Accredited Business. Click for the BBB Business Review of this Horse Training in Stokesdale NC