6 Best Coat Sprays For Horse Flies That Old-Timers Swear By
Explore 6 classic coat sprays for horse flies that old-timers swear by. Discover which time-tested ingredients provide the most effective, lasting relief.
When the horse flies arrive, you know summer is truly here. They aren’t just a nuisance; these biting pests can make a horse miserable, leading to stomping, stress, and even injury. Finding a fly spray that actually works feels like half the battle, and that’s why so many of us stick with the classics. These are the formulas that have proven themselves season after season, long before fancy marketing came along.
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Why Old-School Fly Control Still Works Best
Horse flies are persistent, painful, and surprisingly smart. They hunt by sight and are attracted to large, dark, moving objects—like your horse. A weak fly spray is like bringing a water pistol to a gunfight; it might annoy them for a minute, but it won’t stop the attack.
The old-timer favorites are built around active ingredients that have a long track record of success, like pyrethrins, permethrin, and synergists like piperonyl butoxide. These compounds are proven to repel and kill a wide range of biting insects. While newer, all-natural formulas have their place, they often lack the knockdown power and staying power needed for a horse living on pasture during peak fly season. When your horse’s comfort and health are on the line, effectiveness trumps trends.
Absorbine UltraShield EX: The Gold Standard
When you’re facing a full-scale fly invasion, UltraShield EX is the nuclear option. This is what you reach for when the deer flies and horse flies are relentless, and your horse is coming in from the field covered in welts. It’s a powerful, multi-pronged formula designed for the worst conditions.
Its claim of lasting up to 17 days is optimistic for a horse living outside, but you can realistically expect several days of solid protection, even through a bit of rain. It contains permethrin and pyrethrins, plus a sunscreen, making it an all-in-one shield. The tradeoff is its strength; it’s a serious insecticide. But for horses that are truly suffering, especially those with sweet itch or severe reactions to bites, this level of protection is a necessary relief.
Farnam Endure: Sweat-Resistant All-Day Shield
A fly spray is useless if it sweats off an hour into a ride or a hot day in the pasture. This is where Farnam Endure really shines. Its key feature is a special conditioner called RepeLock, which helps the formula bind to the hair shaft, giving it serious staying power.
This makes it the go-to choice for working horses or any animal living in a hot, humid climate where sweating is a constant. While other sprays bead up and run off, Endure holds its ground, providing continuous protection. It’s a bit pricier than some other options, but you’re paying for longevity. If you’re tired of reapplying spray every time your horse gets a little damp, this is the solution.
Pyranha Wipe N’ Spray: The Show Ring Favorite
You can often smell Pyranha before you see it, and for good reason. This oil-based formula has been a fixture in show barns for decades. Its citronella scent is iconic, but its real value lies in its ability to provide a quick, high-gloss finish while delivering a potent knockdown of flies on contact.
The oil base not only makes the coat gleam under arena lights but also helps the product stick. It’s perfect for a last-minute application before heading into the ring to ensure your horse isn’t distracted by pests. The downside? That same oil base is a magnet for dust and dirt, making it less ideal for a horse turned out in a dry, dusty paddock. Think of it as a finishing product, not an everyday pasture shield.
Bronco Equine Fly Spray: Affordable Protection
Not every situation calls for a top-shelf, long-lasting formula. Sometimes you just need reliable, daily protection without breaking the bank, especially if you have multiple horses. Bronco is the economical workhorse of the fly spray world. It gets the job done at a price that lets you use it liberally.
This is a water-based, pyrethrin formula that offers effective, immediate relief. It’s not greasy and has a pleasant citronella scent. The catch is that it doesn’t have the staying power of Endure or UltraShield EX. You’ll need to apply it daily, and likely reapply after a workout or heavy rain. But for routine, in-and-out barn use, it’s an unbeatable value.
Espree Aloe Herbal: A Gentler, Natural Option
There’s a growing desire for less chemical-intensive solutions, and Espree’s herbal formula fills that niche nicely. It’s a great choice for horses with sensitive skin or for owners who prefer to avoid permethrin-based products for daily use. It uses a blend of botanical oils like citronella, cedarwood, and eucalyptus to repel pests.
Let’s be realistic, though. This is a tool for light to moderate fly pressure. It smells wonderful and the aloe is great for the coat, but it won’t stand up to a swarm of determined horse flies in a swampy field. It’s best used for horses stalled during the day, for quick trail rides, or in areas where the fly problem isn’t severe. It’s about choosing the right tool for the job.
Absorbine SuperShield Red: The Tried-and-True
Before there was the black bottle of UltraShield EX, there was the red bottle of SuperShield. This is the original formula that built Absorbine’s reputation as a leader in fly control. It’s a classic for a reason: it’s a dependable, straightforward pyrethrin-based spray that works.
Think of it as the perfect middle ground. It’s stronger and longer-lasting than a simple budget spray like Bronco but not as intense (or as expensive) as its "EX" counterpart. For the average horse in a typical summer environment, SuperShield Red provides a fantastic balance of effectiveness, longevity, and value. It’s a known quantity that has been trusted for generations.
Applying Fly Spray for Maximum Effectiveness
Even the best fly spray won’t work if it’s applied poorly. The biggest mistake people make is simply misting it into the air around the horse. You have to get the product onto the coat, and that starts with a relatively clean animal. Caked-on mud or dirt will block the spray from ever reaching the hair.
For best results, brush your horse first. Then, spray each section of the body until the coat is damp, not dripping wet. Use a soft brush or a cloth to wipe the product in, ensuring even coverage. This step is crucial—it spreads the spray and helps it adhere to the hair. For sensitive areas like the face and ears, spray the product onto a rag and carefully wipe it on, avoiding the eyes and nostrils. A few extra minutes of proper application can double the effectiveness of any spray you choose.
Ultimately, the best fly spray is the one that fits your specific situation—your climate, your horse’s sensitivity, and your budget. No single bottle is a magic bullet. The most effective strategy always combines a quality coat spray with good farm management, like diligent manure removal and the use of physical barriers like fly masks and sheets.
