Page 836 - The Veterinary Care of the Horse

With horses or ponies that suffer every year, the aim should be to prevent the signs by careful

management, rather than waiting for them to develop. This is done by reducing their
VetBooks.ir exposure to the midges.
•
The midges breed in standing water and damp, rotting vegetation so wherever possible,
the pony should be moved away from these.

• Drainage of marshy fields and ponds may help.
• Any stagnant troughs or water containers near the stable should be removed.

• The flies feed primarily at dawn and dusk and may continue during the night. The pony

should be stabled from an hour before sunset until at least an hour after sunrise the next
morning. The safest period for grazing is mid-morning to mid-afternoon.

• Screening the stable windows, door and also air spaces that communicate with the next

stable with a fine mesh to stop midges entering will help.
• The use of a large wall or ceiling-mounted electric fan may help to drive the midges

away.
• When the pony is in the stable or turned out, a full body blanket with neck and belly

®
cover e.g. the Boett blanket plus a hood will afford considerable protection. This is
made of a breathable material and can be worn for up to 24 hours a day (Figure 18.11).

Protective leg and sheath/udder covers are also available with some makes of sweet itch
rug.

• Regular application of a fly repellent e.g. permethrin, cypermethrin, DEET or citronella

is likely to help.
• Benzyl benzoate may give some relief by making the midges less likely to bite, but it is

an irritant and should not be applied to skin that is already broken and sore. Benzyl
benzoate is a weak insecticide that requires daily application.

• Oily lotions are messy, but these can provide a mechanical barrier and prevent the flies

biting e.g. diluted Avon Skin So Soft which contains citronella or tea tree oil.
• Some owners report an improvement with the inclusion of garlic in the diet.

• If at all possible affected horses and ponies should be moved to a midge-free area such as

an exposed hilltop or breezy coastal site.