Do horses get "bugged'

dreamer · 05-28-08, 09:24 AM

by blackflies and mosquitos?
Even with bug spray on, my arms and legs are covered in bites. I was just thinking, do they affect horses the same way. Would there be any way to help them or is it just a nuisance they get used to? I know I never will.

babs · 05-28-08, 01:36 PM

I'm not really sure about how the treating would work with sprays or not. I am right there with you though, my friend asked me yesterday how at 2pm I can manage to be bite by 6 misquotes at once.

dappledear · 05-29-08, 05:59 PM

I think they probably do, but just like if you are out in the rain without an umbrella you get used to it because you must. Sprays can provide some relief, as can a fly sheet, fly mask, etc. Some animals are allergic to some bug bites and have to have more extreme measures taken.

SaddleSore · 05-30-08, 05:58 PM

You can see the animals swatting at flies with their tails-that alone should tell you that yes they are indeed irritated by them to the point that they try to get rid of them.

showboat · 06-03-08, 07:26 AM

Yes, the horses swat the bugs away with their tails so they are obviously annoying to them but they're not generally as aggravated by bites as people. They have fur and a thick hide to protect them compared to our very thin skins. Mother Nature gives them protections that I sometimes wish we had...lol.

highstepper · 06-03-08, 08:42 AM

Mine sure did. He was always bothered in the spring by the blackflies and mosquitos. It seems they always found the soft places, like his nose and eyelids. I would feel for him until the worst was over.

Shush · 06-03-08, 06:44 PM

You know I read that despite having a really very thick skin-lots thicker than a horses skin, an elephant will still feel a bug crawling on it. That must be terribly annoying given their limited ability to get rid of them-and I would imagine it's about the same for a horse.

05-28-08, 09:24 AM	#1 (permalink)
dreamer Member Join Date: 05-02-08 Posts: 25	Do horses get "bugged' by blackflies and mosquitos? Even with bug spray on, my arms and legs are covered in bites. I was just thinking, do they affect horses the same way. Would there be any way to help them or is it just a nuisance they get used to? I know I never will.

06-03-08, 07:26 AM	#5 (permalink)
showboat Member Join Date: 06-02-08 Posts: 25	Not as much as we do Yes, the horses swat the bugs away with their tails so they are obviously annoying to them but they're not generally as aggravated by bites as people. They have fur and a thick hide to protect them compared to our very thin skins. Mother Nature gives them protections that I sometimes wish we had...lol.

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05-28-08, 01:36 PM	#2 (permalink)
babs Member Join Date: 05-02-08 Posts: 25	I'm not really sure about how the treating would work with sprays or not. I am right there with you though, my friend asked me yesterday how at 2pm I can manage to be bite by 6 misquotes at once.

05-29-08, 05:59 PM	#3 (permalink)
dappledear Member Join Date: 05-02-08 Posts: 25	I think they probably do, but just like if you are out in the rain without an umbrella you get used to it because you must. Sprays can provide some relief, as can a fly sheet, fly mask, etc. Some animals are allergic to some bug bites and have to have more extreme measures taken.

05-30-08, 05:58 PM	#4 (permalink)
SaddleSore Member Join Date: 10-12-07 Posts: 233	You can see the animals swatting at flies with their tails-that alone should tell you that yes they are indeed irritated by them to the point that they try to get rid of them.

06-03-08, 08:42 AM	#6 (permalink)
highstepper Member Join Date: 06-02-08 Posts: 26	Mine sure did. He was always bothered in the spring by the blackflies and mosquitos. It seems they always found the soft places, like his nose and eyelids. I would feel for him until the worst was over.

06-03-08, 06:44 PM	#7 (permalink)
Shush Member Join Date: 06-01-08 Posts: 25	You know I read that despite having a really very thick skin-lots thicker than a horses skin, an elephant will still feel a bug crawling on it. That must be terribly annoying given their limited ability to get rid of them-and I would imagine it's about the same for a horse.