[sorrell]

Originally Posted by APHAgurl91

why is it important to wipe it on instead of spray?

you can spray it on too, but it has an oil base, so if you spray it, it tends to bead up on the hair and roll off. If you wipe it on, it attaches to the hair and helps keep flies away.

You can add oil to any fly spray and increase it's effectiveness, but.... the trade off is a horse that attracts a lot of dust and dirt.
They claim mosquitos and flies cannot bite as well through oil.
I have also heard that if you use show sheen type products, the flies cannot hold onto the hair shaft and don't bite as often. I tried it and it seemed to help some, but not wonders.

[wpisawesome]

I really like Endure.

[APHAgurl91]

Originally Posted by sorrell

you can spray it on too, but it has an oil base, so if you spray it, it tends to bead up on the hair and roll off. If you wipe it on, it attaches to the hair and helps keep flies away.

You can add oil to any fly spray and increase it's effectiveness, but.... the trade off is a horse that attracts a lot of dust and dirt.
They claim mosquitos and flies cannot bite as well through oil.
I have also heard that if you use show sheen type products, the flies cannot hold onto the hair shaft and don't bite as often. I tried it and it seemed to help some, but not wonders.

ohhh ok thanks!

[avasmom]

Originally Posted by sorrell

When the flies are really bad, I add pymethrin concentrate. You can buy the concentrate for under $12 and it will make about three gallons of spray, so is very economical.

Where do you get the concentrate? I was thinking of doing that...

[Suzannah]

I am using this:

2 c apple cider vinegar
2 c cold tea (sage or chamomile)
20 drops eucalyptus oil
20 drops citronella oil
10 drops lavender oil
10 drops tea tree oil
10 drops cedar oil
10 drops peppermint oil
1/4 carrier oil (I have been using olive oil, but I am going to switch to something else soon)

I also feed 1/2 cup of ACV in feed daily.

The essential oils altogether cost about $30 to buy, but when I make a batch it costs about $2 and lasts about two weeks. It has worked GREAT. Totally natural, smells great. My horse still switches her tail, but she doesn't stamp, paw at her belly, etc. And it's so cheap that I can saturate her with it and not be worried about $$. BEST of all: ZERO chemicals.

[IheartDuke]

Originally Posted by Suzannah

I am using this:

2 c apple cider vinegar
2 c cold tea (sage or chamomile)
20 drops eucalyptus oil
20 drops citronella oil
10 drops lavender oil
10 drops tea tree oil
10 drops cedar oil
10 drops peppermint oil
1/4 carrier oil (I have been using olive oil, but I am going to switch to something else soon)

I also feed 1/2 cup of ACV in feed daily.

The essential oils altogether cost about $30 to buy, but when I make a batch it costs about $2 and lasts about two weeks. It has worked GREAT. Totally natural, smells great. My horse still switches her tail, but she doesn't stamp, paw at her belly, etc. And it's so cheap that I can saturate her with it and not be worried about $$. BEST of all: ZERO chemicals.

Gr reat info ! are there any concerns of the oils damaging the skin, hair follicle, or hair itself? Reason that I am asking cause there was a recent thread explaining why to not use silicone or oil based sprays for shine. I think it was called "shine or crime".....

[Harmony]

Essential oils are volitile - they evaporate when exposed to air so they aren't going to seal the hair shaft. The downside of this is that you have to apply them more frequently but you have an effective, environmentally friendly alternative! Thanks for the blend, I'm going to try it.

You can read about the individual properties of the essential oils here:
Essential Oil Profiles

Essential oils are also hydrophobic, they will float on top of water - that's why using a carrier oil like olive oil, the cider vinegar "emulsifies" the oils into the water (tea). Always shake well.

Cold pressed vegetable oils are used as carriers, not mineral oil because it doesn't absorb and will coat the hair shafts.
What are Carrier Oils?

A good alternative for the olive oil could be sunflower:

"Sunflower"
"Botanical Name: Helianthus annuus
Aroma: Faint and sweet.
Texture: Thin and does not leave an oily residue.
Color: Virtually clear with a tinge of yellow.
Notes: When choosing sunflower oil, strive to get unrefined oil."

Carrier Oil Profiles

[Suzannah]

This recipe has been working great, but it does not last as long as the chemicals. I bring her in at night, groom, then spray. By the time I get her the next evening, she is tail-swishing, but honestly is better than all of the other horses that have chemical sprays on. And she smells really good!!

I don't use a ton of oil in the mix, and you could actually probably eliminate it and just shake really well (which you have to do anyway). There was witch hazel in the original recipe, but I got rid of it because it seems like it would make it evaporate quicker (but it's a real skin-soother). I also feed ACV, and I think that helps.

I would rather she gets a few bites and is chemical-free than be pristine and covered with DNA-altering (and cancer-causing for humans) chemicals!!

[Harmony]

Witch Hazel will also act as a emulisfier, aiding to disperse the essential oils and it is great for itchy skin so I think it would be helpful in the blend.

[Xiphias]

Pyrethian, is the main ingreadient in most insecticides, it is actually made of marigolds if I am not mistaken....they say to plant marigolds around your veggies, that they will keep some bugs and rabbits out of your veggies....Cathy