Getting a horse comfortable through fly season
Notes from the counter at The Horse Connection in Bedford, NY.
Attack the breeding sites first
Flies breed in muck and standing water. Removing droppings frequently and managing drainage reduces the fly population far more than treating individual horses.
It is the least glamorous and most effective intervention available.
Physical barriers beat chemicals
Masks, sheets and boots work continuously and do not wear off. Repellents are a supplement rather than the primary defence.
They also avoid the skin sensitivity that repeated chemical application can cause.
Sweet itch needs a different plan
Horses reacting to midge bites need protection at dawn and dusk specifically, and full body coverage rather than a mask alone.
Managing turnout times around midge activity makes a large difference.
Sun protection for pink skin
Pink noses burn, and repeated burning has long term consequences. Zinc based sunscreens formulated for horses stay on better than human products.
A mask with a nose extension does the same job without reapplication.
Check under the gear daily
Masks and sheets can rub, and a rub under a fly mask is easy to miss. Remove them daily and check the skin underneath.
This is also when you spot the eye problem the mask was meant to prevent.
Rotate and wash
Sweat and dust turn a fly mask into an abrasive. Washing and rotating between two masks extends the life of both and keeps the mesh transparent.
A dirty mesh reduces the horse's vision, which affects behaviour in turnout.
Where this sits in the shop
The Horse Connection groups its stock into 5 categories, so most of what is discussed above lives in one or two of them:
- Fly Masks and Protection — 5 items
- Grooming Kits and Brushes — 9 items
- Hoof Care — 1 items
- Stable and Feed — 2 items
- Wraps and Bandages — 7 items
Browsing by category is usually quicker than searching, because the groups follow how the goods are actually used rather than how a supplier lists them.
The largest group at the moment is Fly Masks and Protection with 5 items, and the smallest is Wraps and Bandages with 7. Those counts move as stock comes in and goes out, so they are worth checking rather than assuming.
From our shelves
A few items currently in stock that relate to this article:
- Magic Gel Horse Ice Pack with Carry Case – Twin Ice Boots | Cooling Horse Leg Wraps for Hock, Ankle, Knee, Legs, Boots, and Hooves | Horse Tack, Horse Supplies & Horse Gift Ideas for Horse Lovers
- Weaver Equine Horse Grooming Kit, 7-Piece with Tote Bag | Care Set Keeps Coat, Mane & Hooves Tidy with Organized Storage for Home, Stable, Barn & Travel Routines, Black/Beige
- Horse Fly Mask with Ears – Built-in Visor – Breathable, Lightweight Mask – 95% UV Eye Protection – Adjustable Fit for Comfort Horse Medium/Large Size
- Corner Hay Feeder Bag with Mesh Bottom & Snaps for Horse Trailer
Across the whole catalogue prices currently run from $9.99 to $78.74, with most of the range clustered around the middle of that span. Stock and prices on the product pages are live, so they are the figures to trust rather than anything quoted in an article.
Ordering, delivery and returns
Free US shipping on orders over $79; a flat $8.95 below that. Orders are picked and packed at the Bedford store on business days, and a tracking number follows by email once the carrier scans the parcel.
If something is not right, there are 30 days from delivery to send it back unused and in its packaging. The full detail is on the Shipping Policy and Returns and Refunds pages, and the FAQ covers the questions that come up most.
How we decide what to stock
The Horse Connection carries equestrian grooming, wraps and stable supplies, and the range is deliberately narrower than a warehouse catalogue. A line earns its place by being asked for repeatedly at the counter in Bedford and by coming back without complaints — not by having the widest margin.
When something stops meeting that bar it comes off the shelf rather than being discounted until it moves. That is why the catalogue on this site changes slowly and why the specification tables on the product pages quote the maker rather than our own marketing.
Quick answers
How much vet wrap should a barn keep?
Most yards keep rolls in more than one width because leg and hoof jobs differ. Several of our lines are sold in multi-roll packs for that reason.
Are the grooming kits complete?
The kits list every brush and tool in the specification table, along with whether a tote is included, so you can see exactly what is in the bag.
Related reading
Other notes from the same shelf that pick up where this one stops:
- Fly masks: with ears, without ears, and getting the fit right
- Vet wrap and bandaging: what a barn should keep in stock
- Building a grooming kit that earns its space
Coming to the store
The Horse Connection is at 38 Village Green, Bedford, NY 10506. Opening hours are Mon-Sat 10:00-17:00 | Sun Closed, and it is worth calling ahead on +1 914-234-2047 if you are travelling specifically for one item, because stock on the shop floor and stock listed online are the same pool.
Anything discussed in this article can be looked at in person before buying. If you would rather order online, the same stock ships from this address — nothing is drop-shipped from a third party warehouse, which is why the despatch address on your parcel matches the shop.
Ask us directly
If this has not answered your question, the counter is open Mon-Sat 10:00-17:00 | Sun Closed. Call +1 914-234-2047 or use the contact page — a person reads it, and you will get an answer within a business day.