Sunday, July 22, 2012

Tiny Monstrosities: The War of 2012

NEVER have I had as many issues with bugs as I'm having this year. The barn she is at backs right up to the trail system that we love so much, which happens to be quite swampy. This means there is no shortage of flying, biting insects. Short of hiring someone to stand in her paddock and karate-chop any big flies that were trying to eat her, I was out of ideas to protect her. I tried spot treatments, I tried switching fly sprays, and finally after getting to the barn one day last week and finding Lucy being tortured by a huge bomber fly, I realised that I had to get her a fly sheet.


This wouldn't be an issue for most people but I have protested the use of fly sheets for years. I have seen bugs get under them and the horse can't escape and I think Lucy would genuinely injure herself if that happened to her. Still, I figured it was worth a try. Enter this eyesore:



This has actually worked pretty well, except for the days when it has been super hot and very humid, because she sweats so badly under it. Today was in the mid 80's and when I went to ride, she was completely dry under it. Once it hits the 90's, though, I don't put it on.

So, ok, great. This solved the turnout problem. But what if I want to go out for a trail ride? I can't ride her with her cape on. Enter this contraption:

"oh my god."


This is the Bug Out Riding Hood. Though it's not beautiful, I found out tonight that it works really, really well. It has very fine netting that she can see out of easily. It covers her head and most of her neck, including her ears. The bugs normally attack the top of her neck on either side of her mane and tonight on our trail ride, she didn't act like they were bothering her at all. They were landing on her in droves and trying to bite, but beside the occasional ear flick, she seemed very content!

unsuccessful biting attempt :D

Western saddle, running shorts, and sneakers...oh my.
We trail rode all through the woods, past the swampy area, around the lake, and through tall grass. She was fine the entire time. Cairo, on the other hand, got chewed up pretty badly. Poor thing :(

Heaven.
So I will call this a success!


On a side note, thank you for all the sweet comments about Cassie. We are taking it one day at a time and making sure she is comfortable. It seems our idea of what could happen if one of the tumors burst wasn't quite accurate according to a second opinion so we may be able to have more time with her. It kills me to not be home right now, but I know my parents are giving her all my love.

17 comments:

  1. Where did you get the Bug Out Riding Hood? That is perfect for trail riding! The bugs are horrible in my area too, anytime we go outside we get eaten alive.

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    1. Here's the link: http://www.ridingright.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=R&Product_Code=IBO02&Category_Code=

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  2. Have you ever heard of Fly Predators?

    We had some serious bug issues at our farm last year because of a small swamp that formed next door... and my trainer swears by them and uses them on her property too. I really see a difference when we use it. I know that you aren't only dealing with flies but I think it helps with bugs in general.

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    1. yes, but they won't work at my barn because we have our manure pile completely taken away every two weeks. As I understand it, you have to "plant" the fly predator eggs in the manure pile and they hatch from there.

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    2. Nope! You can put them in the backs of the horses stalls, just don't pick where they are! That's what we did at a small boarding barn I was at. The flies were very very few in the stalls. Works great.

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  3. We are lucky right now, the bugs are not terrible due to dry weather and where we are located. Those riding fly masks are AWESOME though! If we rode more, I would def get one. It's like Lucy's superhero caped outfit! ;)

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  4. Those hoods are great right? Its been an awful bug season, swamp behind us as well, due to the lack of winter we had. I would say there are much more bugs then last year. We are considering spraying the property next year and getting fly predators.

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  5. Have you tried feed through fly/ bug control?

    I love that picture of Lucy in her riding hood. Hilarious. She obviously loves it. I would make my mare or I look ridiculous any day of the week to save us from bug problems. Luckily it's not too buggy here (or hot, right now it's in the 60's whoa).

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    1. No, that's the only thing I haven't tried, and the reason is that my Smartpak order each month is already out of control and I really didn't want to add another supplement. Plus I had heard many more people saying they didn't see a difference than people who thought feed through fly control worked.

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  6. The flies have been horrific at my place we've tried everything. Piney was the one getting the worst of it but he won't have to worry about them anymore. :-(

    The other two monsters seem to be handling the bugs better, I just wish fly season was over! We have tried everything

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    1. I just caught up with your blog, oh my gosh I am so sorry for everything :( :(

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    2. Thank you. It's been tough on everyone around here. Hoping time will help heal.

      Losing your best friend is the worst :-(

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  7. Super cool. :-) I tried a quiet ride mask on my guy, and he HATED it. Apparently, the bugs in his head are just as bad as the ones I can see. So it goes.

    So glad you and Lu found something that will work.

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    1. Silly pony, doesn't he know these bug masks are the IN thing?

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  8. Lucy looks cute in her Super Hero outfit.
    The only good thing about our horrible drought is...no flies!

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  9. At a barn I used to board at they added about a tablespoon (i think?) of garlic powder to their horses grain during the summer. I wasn't there long enough to try it, and fortunately the bugs are minimal in northwest Oregon. Its supposed to give the horse a slight garlic odor that only the flies can smell. And they don't like it :)

    Btw; I love your blog so so much! Everytime I need a boost when I have had a bad day with my boy (also a thoroughbred) I come here and read a few posts and admire your photos!

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  10. Just catching up on your blog... I'm so sorry to hear about Cassie. I hope you and your family are getting some quality time in with your sweet girl these days, I know it's not easy to do with an upcoming goodbye hanging over your head. *Hugs*

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