Page 11 - May 2021 Newsletter

4 - H H O R S E P R O J E C T

Parker Co. 4-H Equine Care and Career Exploration

Monday, May 17 @6PM
Reata Equine Hospital - Equine Reproduction
RSVP is required - Click HERE to sign up to receive information for Horse Project.
Join us for our May 4-H Horse Project meeting. Dr. Christine Sutherland will discuss the details of being a veterinarian with
the focus on equine reproduction for horses as well as go over general equine reproduction care. We will tour the Reata
Equine Hospital, and possibly see some foals!

The Importance of Fly Control

American Association of Equine Practitioners
Written by: Lisa Edwards, DVM and Sharon Spier DVM, Ph.D. DACVIM

Flies are a bane to barn life; they not only transmit disease but also irritate horses (and us).
Before we dive into control methods, let's review fly species you might face. Identifying
them can help you create an effective fly control plan.

The housefly, Musca domestica, and the face fly, Musca autumnalis, are non-biting flies
that feed on eye secretions, nasal discharge, wounds, manure and on moisture around
genitalia. The stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans, is a biting fly that uses a piercing mouthpart
to feed on blood and tends to target horses' lower limbs and abdomens. The horn fly,
Haematoba irritans, is a biting fly that generally feeds on cattle but might bit horses
housed nearby.
Houseflies and stable flies typically reproduce in manure, wet straw bedding, garbage and poorly composted manure. Face flies and horn flies only breed in
fresh cattle manure. Adult face flies do not like to feed in dark barns or shady areas.
Equine Care and Career
Exploration
The housefly is commonly found in hot summer months; the face fly and stable fly are usually seen from mid-spring to summer and sometimes into early

fall. Houseflies and stable flies breed year-round in tropical and subtropical regions, but they hibernate in temperate regions during cooler weather.
Outlaw Equine Rehabilitation
Tabanids, such as horseflies and deerflies, generally prefer sunshine and avoid shaded places; they are inactive at night.
Tour

Culicoides species are biting gnats that breed near water. Their preferred biting sites vary; some feed near the mane and tail, while others prefer the
abdomen, legs or face. They are weak fliers, don't travel far and are most active at sunset. RSVP is Required
Click to RSVP

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