Midsummer madness

The Great British summer has its downsides when it comes to caring for horses. Becky Murray finds out how to alleviate the banes of the hotter months

- Becky Murray

AFTER a long winter – and exceptionally wet spring in the UK – horse owners will be celebrating the long-awaited arrival of summer. No longer will we be wading through mud, contesting with rug buckles and cold fingers or wearing multiple layers at the yard.

But of course, while we welcome riding in the sunshine, summer comes with its own set of challenges for our equines.

Ask any equestrian what their biggest summer bugbears are and you can guarantee that flies will feature on that list. Horseflies, crab flies, black flies and midges are just some of the biting creatures that can quickly make horses miserable.

“A nice breeze is ideal for preventing flies, as they can’t land so easily, but when you have those hot days and no wind, that’s when you can have problems. Especially as some horses will naturally sweat in the field and that can attract flies,” says Serena Kidd of horse healthcare and supplement company Nettex.

“Where possible, keeping your horse clean can help, and washing off sweat after you’ve ridden before turning them out – even if you just rinse them off or use a no-rinse wash with lavender, peppermint or citronella,” she adds.

Repellents can play a useful role in keeping flies at bay, and Serena recommends applying products as early on in the day as possible, ideally repeating application later.

“Some horses can be frightened of sprays, so creams can be easier to apply around the face and sheath area, but it’s personal preference,” she says.