6 Horse Ear Protection For Flies That Old-Timers Swear By

There’s nothing more frustrating than watching your horse spend all day shaking its head, ears twitching, tormented by the relentless buzz of flies. Those tender ears are a prime target for biting gnats and flies, leading to scabby, irritated skin and a miserable animal. Before the age of high-tech fabrics and complex chemical formulas, old-timers relied on simple, effective methods to give their horses relief, and frankly, many of those solutions still work best.

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Why Old-School Fly Protection Still Works Best

The best solutions are often the simplest ones. Old-school methods were born from necessity, not marketing, and they focus on solving the core problem: keeping flies from biting and irritating a horse’s ears. They don’t require batteries, special washing instructions, or a subscription service.

These time-tested approaches are also fundamentally practical. They rely on creating physical barriers, making surfaces unpleasant for insects, or using the horse’s own movement as a defense. This means they are often cheaper, more durable, and easier to implement with materials you already have on hand.

Most importantly, these methods work because they are based on a solid understanding of both the pest and the horse. They acknowledge that a solution that works in a dry pasture might fail in a humid, wooded area. This adaptability is the hallmark of good animal husbandry—observing the situation and applying the right tool for the job.

Farnam Swat Ointment: A Time-Tested Salve

Swat is a classic for a reason. This thick, pink (or clear) ointment is a staple in almost every barn medicine cabinet, and its primary use is creating a no-fly zone on sensitive areas. It contains pyrethrins, a repellent derived from chrysanthemum flowers, which actively discourages flies from landing.

Applying it is straightforward. You just need a thin layer smeared around the inside edge and base of the horse’s ears. This is especially effective against the tiny, persistent gnats that crawl inside and cause raw, weeping sores. It also doubles as a protective coating over minor cuts and scrapes anywhere on the body to prevent fly-related infections.

The main tradeoff is the texture. Swat is greasy and will absolutely attract dirt and dust, creating a grimy barrier. It needs to be wiped clean and reapplied every day or two, especially in hot weather when it can melt. But for targeted, powerful protection on the ears, its effectiveness is hard to beat.

Cashel Crusader Mask: Full Coverage Protection

While fly masks are common now, the Cashel Crusader is the gold standard that perfected the design decades ago. It’s not just a piece of mesh; it’s an engineered physical barrier built to last. The key is its structured design, with darts that hold the mesh away from the horse’s eyes and eyelashes, preventing rubs and irritation.

The ear covers are made of a soft, breathable mesh that allows for air circulation while keeping even the smallest insects out. Unlike flimsy masks that quickly lose their shape, a well-cared-for Cashel will hold up for several seasons, making it a sound investment. They understood that a mask is useless if the horse hates wearing it.

The most critical factor here is fit. A mask that is too tight will cause sores, and one that is too loose will allow flies to get trapped underneath—a situation far more distressing for the horse than having no mask at all. You must check the fit daily, ensuring there are no gaps at the jaw or rubs behind the ears.

Browband Tassel Veils for Constant Fly Defense

This is one of the simplest and most elegant solutions, especially for horses in work. A tassel or fringe fly veil is essentially a leather or fabric strip with long strings that attaches to the browband of a halter or bridle. It’s a low-tech, motion-activated fly deterrent.

The magic is in its simplicity. As the horse moves its head, walks, or even twitches an ear, the tassels swish back and forth across its face and around its ears. This constant, gentle movement is enough to shoo away flies before they have a chance to land and bite.

This method is perfect for horses that get hot or claustrophobic in a full mask. It provides protection without trapping heat or obstructing vision. While it doesn’t offer the complete barrier of a mesh ear cover, it provides excellent, active defense during rides, groundwork, or for horses that just won’t tolerate a full mask.

DIY Stocking Covers: The Homesteader’s Solution

When you need a solution right now and the feed store is a 40-minute drive away, this is the kind of fix that homesteaders have relied on for generations. Using a pair of old nylons or pantyhose, you can create effective, temporary ear covers in about two minutes.

The process is simple: cut a section of the stocking leg, gently slide it over the horse’s ear like a sleeve, and secure it loosely at the base. The sheer, breathable fabric acts as a perfect barrier against gnats and black flies. It’s lightweight and doesn’t hold heat.

The most important consideration is safety. The stocking must be secured with something that will break under pressure, like a soft, stretchy hair tie or a thin, breakaway rubber band. You never want to tie it on with something that could get caught on a fence post or tree branch and cause a panic or injury. It’s a brilliant short-term fix, but it requires common sense.

Petroleum Jelly: A Simple, Effective Barrier

Before specialized ointments were widely available, there was petroleum jelly. This humble medicine cabinet staple works on a simple principle: it creates a surface that is too goopy and unpleasant for flies to land on. It’s a purely physical barrier, and a surprisingly effective one.

A light coating on the inside of the ear pinnae (the floppy part, not deep in the canal) is all you need. It’s particularly good for deterring those tiny gnats that cause crusty, irritated ears. As an added bonus, the petroleum jelly also helps soothe and moisturize skin that’s already been bitten and irritated.

Like Swat, the major downside is its tendency to become a magnet for dust, bedding, and pollen. You’ll need to gently wipe the ears clean every day or so and reapply. It’s a bit messy, but for a non-chemical, incredibly cheap solution, it’s a fantastic tool to have in your arsenal.

Essential Oil Sprays for Natural Repellency

Using aromatic plants to repel insects is a practice as old as farming itself. Modern essential oil sprays are just a refined version of this ancient knowledge. A homemade spray allows you to control the ingredients and avoid harsh chemicals, which is ideal for sensitive-skinned horses.

The most effective oils for repelling flies are citronella, cedarwood, lavender, and eucalyptus. A good starting recipe is a spray bottle filled mostly with water, a good splash of witch hazel or raw apple cider vinegar (to help the oil and water mix), and about 10-15 drops of your chosen essential oil or a blend.

Be realistic about its limitations. Natural sprays are not as potent or long-lasting as their chemical counterparts. They evaporate quickly and need to be reapplied frequently, sometimes more than once a day. For application, spray the mixture onto a soft cloth and gently wipe the horse’s ears and face to avoid getting it in their eyes.

Combining Methods for Maximum Fly Relief

The smartest approach to fly control isn’t about finding one "perfect" product. It’s about creating a layered defense system by combining different methods to suit the situation. No single solution works 100% of the time, for 100% of horses, in 100% of conditions.

For example, on a particularly bad gnat day, you might apply a thin layer of Swat inside the ears before putting on a Cashel mask for turnout. This provides a double barrier. For a ride, you might switch to a tassel veil for better airflow while still providing active protection. If you notice a horse’s ears are getting raw, you might switch from a mask to just petroleum jelly for a few days to let the skin heal.

Ultimately, effective fly control comes down to observation. Pay attention to what kind of flies are bothering your horse, what time of day they are worst, and how your horse reacts to different solutions. By being adaptable and willing to combine these simple, old-school methods, you can provide real, lasting relief without breaking the bank.

True horsemanship is about practical problem-solving. These time-tested methods for ear protection aren’t just relics of the past; they are effective, resourceful tools that empower you to care for your animals with what you have. By understanding the principles behind them, you can keep your horse comfortable and happy through the worst of fly season.