[Akyashaa]

Originally Posted by sorrell

Tried it and it worked!

Glad it helped

[sorrell]

Originally Posted by prairienights

My trainer and I are trying Avon Skin So Soft/White vinegar/Dish soap (we just got generic orange stuff, didn't know about blue dawn).

Our flies are horrible already!

from what I was told, there is something in the dawn that causes it to cling to insect mouth and wing parts. When I sprayed the stuff directly on a fly it was like I had coated it in parafin. It could not move, not even shake it's wings.
I might experiment with a cheaper version too and see, but even at $3 a bottle, it is still cheaper to mix it than buy the expensive sprays that die off in two hours.

[Akyashaa]

Originally Posted by sorrell

from what I was told, there is something in the dawn that causes it to cling to insect mouth and wing parts. When I sprayed the stuff directly on a fly it was like I had coated it in parafin. It could not move, not even shake it's wings.
I might experiment with a cheaper version too and see, but even at $3 a bottle, it is still cheaper to mix it than buy the expensive sprays that die off in two hours.

Definately, even if it's 3$ a bottle, you're not going to use the whole dawn bottle, only a cup at a time for the mixtures, so you can stretch it

[Fire]

I tried it and it worked wonderfully, but my BO said that she would be worried about leaving the dish soap on the horse's skin. It didn't bother him at all and he didn't feel filmy or strange, so is it really a bad idea to put the soap on them and leave it? Should I hose it off?

[sorrell]

Originally Posted by Fire

I tried it and it worked wonderfully, but my BO said that she would be worried about leaving the dish soap on the horse's skin. It didn't bother him at all and he didn't feel filmy or strange, so is it really a bad idea to put the soap on them and leave it? Should I hose it off?

I'm testing that theory now and wil let you know next week!
I've left it on for about four days now and have not seen any bad side effects. It does seem to have a residual effect, but I am only leaving it on thick on the legs. I plan to wash them both this weekend, but so far, see no flaking, sores, build up etc.
Now, the gray horse, everywhere he has the spray, dirt can be seen, but on the sorrel... you can barely see.
Someone else suggested reducing the Dawn to 1/3 cup or adding more water, but so far, no bad buildup and no skin or coat issues. If anything the vinegar is making the coats shinier and slicker, but will check back on Monday if I get the chance and let you know!

[Fire]

Originally Posted by sorrell

I'm testing that theory now and wil let you know next week!
I've left it on for about four days now and have not seen any bad side effects. It does seem to have a residual effect, but I am only leaving it on thick on the legs. I plan to wash them both this weekend, but so far, see no flaking, sores, build up etc.
Now, the gray horse, everywhere he has the spray, dirt can be seen, but on the sorrel... you can barely see.
Someone else suggested reducing the Dawn to 1/3 cup or adding more water, but so far, no bad buildup and no skin or coat issues. If anything the vinegar is making the coats shinier and slicker, but will check back on Monday if I get the chance and let you know!

Thank you for the quick reply and info.

I used 1 cup vinegar, 1 cup water, and 1/3 cup blue Dawn. I love the spray but what my BO said had me worrying about whether it was okay for the skin or not. I don't mind the dirt, I just don't want my horse to get irritated skin or anything. I mainly used it on his legs and avoided the saddle area, but it really did keep the flies off of him mainly.

Just another question - Could I put it on a rag and wipe it on his face? Near his ears and near his muzzle? Or would that be a bad idea? I have swat I can use but I was just curious if it would hurt him on his face.

[Tatooed Lady]

I tend to treat areas around the eyes with extreme care. Where I might put some repellent type chemical UNDER the eye, I won't put anything right ABOVE the eye. This way, any sweat, rain, etc. won't make the chemicals drip into the delicate tissues.
Around the muzzle, I'd tend to use heavier under the mouth, although I wouldn't be against using stuff like this around the nostrils and above the mouth, so long as the skin doesn't break out or anything.

[sorrell]

Originally Posted by Fire

Thank you for the quick reply and info.

I used 1 cup vinegar, 1 cup water, and 1/3 cup blue Dawn. I love the spray but what my BO said had me worrying about whether it was okay for the skin or not. I don't mind the dirt, I just don't want my horse to get irritated skin or anything. I mainly used it on his legs and avoided the saddle area, but it really did keep the flies off of him mainly.

Just another question - Could I put it on a rag and wipe it on his face? Near his ears and near his muzzle? Or would that be a bad idea? I have swat I can use but I was just curious if it would hurt him on his face.

I agree with the wipe under the eyes, but not over. It dries fairly well, so maybe wipe on ears, but sparingly by muzzle.
I have been using it for a week now with no bad results and both have healthier looking coats since I have been using it, with no signs of dry hair or flaking skin.
When I bathed them, the water was a bit frothy, but no bubbles.
I think using a little less dawn is probably a good idea for body spraying.

[ILoveRedRanger!]

After our fly spray runs out I might have to try this. The flies always attack Manuel's man parts and I feel so bad for him. They like his ears too.

[Fire]

Originally Posted by sorrell

I agree with the wipe under the eyes, but not over. It dries fairly well, so maybe wipe on ears, but sparingly by muzzle.
I have been using it for a week now with no bad results and both have healthier looking coats since I have been using it, with no signs of dry hair or flaking skin.
When I bathed them, the water was a bit frothy, but no bubbles.
I think using a little less dawn is probably a good idea for body spraying.

Thanks. I'm almost out of what I mixed, so next time I think I'll try 1/4 cup Dawn with the same amounts of water and vinegar.

I hose my horse off after every ride, so the residue isn't really a problem for me. I just hose him down and apply some more for his legs and turn him out. He's on pasture 24/7 and he always comes in with welts from horseflies. :/