Did I write enough about flies? I wrote about so many things in The Horse-lover's Encyclopedia 2nd Edition, and I know fly masks, fly sheets, fly repellent, are in there. But did I make it clear how these things can dominate one's life as an equestrian?
For the second year in a row, Robin is obsessed and distressed by a fly ( or possibly a gnat, midge, or punkie). It looks like a white fly you might see on your house plants, and it drifts around the barnyard, even into the barn. According to my dad the little things do bite. Robin spends time with her nose pressed to the ground, or in a dark corner of the barn, not eating, staring straight ahead, waiting for the next one to attack.
Things I've tried: a fly mask with nose piece. It doesn't cover her nostrils, so doesn't completely do the job. Fly spray, of course. Increasing her magnesium supplement; this does seem to have reduced her hysteria somewhat. I've bought a nose net. The problem is that she dislikes the nets touching her nose, and a slight eye injury also has her upset.
So I have not been riding. Starting to get tired of that. My next hope; herbal essential oil drops, which I will put on the face mask. They seem to drive off black flies when I put them on my hat brim. Maybe they'll drive off these white tormentors as well. Stay tuned.
For the second year in a row, Robin is obsessed and distressed by a fly ( or possibly a gnat, midge, or punkie). It looks like a white fly you might see on your house plants, and it drifts around the barnyard, even into the barn. According to my dad the little things do bite. Robin spends time with her nose pressed to the ground, or in a dark corner of the barn, not eating, staring straight ahead, waiting for the next one to attack.
Things I've tried: a fly mask with nose piece. It doesn't cover her nostrils, so doesn't completely do the job. Fly spray, of course. Increasing her magnesium supplement; this does seem to have reduced her hysteria somewhat. I've bought a nose net. The problem is that she dislikes the nets touching her nose, and a slight eye injury also has her upset.
So I have not been riding. Starting to get tired of that. My next hope; herbal essential oil drops, which I will put on the face mask. They seem to drive off black flies when I put them on my hat brim. Maybe they'll drive off these white tormentors as well. Stay tuned.