tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post6442440317943058112..comments2024-03-26T05:15:39.663-07:00Comments on Equestrian Ink: Taming the Wild by Alison HartJami Davenporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05259390150273030284noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-24830497773256610202013-07-15T16:28:46.330-07:002013-07-15T16:28:46.330-07:00Alison--I don't like fly masks. I use them whe...Alison--I don't like fly masks. I use them when I have to, but around here they get little bits of burrs stuck in them, and the horses don't seem to like them and tear them off when they can. But mostly its irrational--I hate the way horses look in them. I don't like either fly masks or fly sheets--though I will use them if they are truly needed. But our climate is mostly cool in the summer (its been in the 60's all week) and the horses don't need that sort of protection. A little fly spray will do the job. I will admit that when I pastured my horses in a warmer place, I did use the masks (they were a necessity there). So I understand that sometimes they are just the thing.Laura Crumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15200878892304748308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-24299605848752980772013-07-15T15:41:14.065-07:002013-07-15T15:41:14.065-07:00I'll see if the co-op has it. I use the fly ma...I'll see if the co-op has it. I use the fly masks which are terrific for their faces. Have you tried them?Alisonhttp://www.alisonhartbooks.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-1291979469330822582013-07-15T14:30:22.430-07:002013-07-15T14:30:22.430-07:00Its Farnam "Bite Free." I use it only wh...Its Farnam "Bite Free." I use it only when the horses look unhappy due to flies or the flies are bugging their eyes and irritating them. I don't use it any more than I have to--I'm sure its not so healthy for either me or the horses. But it is effective.Laura Crumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15200878892304748308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-12661559677553560712013-07-15T13:17:46.749-07:002013-07-15T13:17:46.749-07:00Well, if you've got plenty of flies I think th...Well, if you've got plenty of flies I think the traps help. You need to hang them in the sunshine, somewhere where you don't mind the flies collecting. (Not places where you want to spend time...the traps also stink.) I hang them in the chicken coop and by the trash bins...also at the far end of the veggie garden. I DO notice a reduction in the amount of pesky flies. <br /><br />I use a store bought spray...comes in a dark red bottle--can't remember the name. It works. Supposed to work for a week, but that's totally untrue. It does work for 24 hours. My Sunny used to hate being sprayed, but I ignored his "hating" and now he doesn't really care. He just got used to it. I do wipe it on their faces, though. I will look at my spray and tell you its name. I'm sure its bad for one's health...but I am tired of fly sprays that don't work.Laura Crumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15200878892304748308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-28116509234916910012013-07-15T10:35:59.120-07:002013-07-15T10:35:59.120-07:00OMG Laura! You are also battling nature. We don...OMG Laura! You are also battling nature. We don't have gophers, but groundhogs. Where do you put the fly traps? My experience has been they attract more flies than they kill. And which spray works best for you? I am not happy with most I have tried--natural or store bought. And Relish hates the sprayer so I have to wipe it on.Alisonhttp://www.alisonhartbooks.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-63631523509906334962013-07-15T08:25:31.973-07:002013-07-15T08:25:31.973-07:00Alison--I can very much relate, though my problems...Alison--I can very much relate, though my problems are slightly different. Here on the California coast we get very little summer rain, so everything dries out. The vegetation does not try to take over during the summer for this reason. But every plant you wish to keep alive (except the natives) must be watered. We also have gophers here, and I believe you do not. Trust me, nothing is more destructive to a garden than gophers. We do have raccoons (in our garbage, cat food...etc) and hawks, coyotes and bobcats who try to eat our chickens (and often succeed). And we have LOTS of flies. I find that fly traps are very successful (if you hang them in the right places), and the chickens also help keep the fly population down. The horses must have fly spray applied every few days, however, or they suffer. We also are plagued by yellow jackets (ground wasps), which are a true nuisance--and a danger to horses who step in a nest. We use traps for these, too, and eliminate the nests by fair means or foul when we find them. So, anywhere you live, if you live in the country, its always something.Laura Crumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15200878892304748308noreply@blogger.com