I want to use garlic or vinegar to help my horse with the bugs. How much do I use and does it work?

Question

My horse gets huge bumps when he is bit. There are bumps covering his entire body. When the weather is nice-cool out, he doesn't want to be out because the bugs are bad. Fly sprays don't work or last.

Answer 1

I used the garlic powder stuff on my horses in their feed for months.Never worked for my horses.The only thing it kept away was me LOL They really stunk.Never tried the vinegar.Although it works well when mixed with other ingredients for a fly spray.
I use one part vinegar,2 parts skin so soft and a dash of pure citronella essence oil.
You might want to consider a fly sheet.That can help keep the flies of of your horse.They also make leg protectors to keep flies of their legs too.

Answer 2

Keep in mind that bug bites on horses are not always flies. Horses can suffer from Mosquito bites too. Our horses at the riding center do. We keep them in fly masks unless turned out. The fly sheets may help as well. As for garlic and vinager, many bugs can actually be attrated to that stuff. I would talk to a vet if I were you, and as if the product known as Deet would be safe for your horses. Deet is used in Mosquito repelents and I've also noticed that it works for flies too. Especially the little gnats that like to bite both human and horse. Always check with your vet first however.

Answer 3

i've had good experiences with apple cider vinegar. it's not great, but is it effective at least for the short term. just put it in a spray bottle and spray like you would a fly spray. i really like ultra-shield fly sprays, too. make sure his bumps are definitely bug bites, and not hives, or some allergic reaction to bug bites as well.

Answer 4

I use are garlic supplement from Springtime products and one ounce of apple cider vinegar on their grain. You might want to try a fly sheet and some of the pour on products like bio spot. Also you might talk to a vet about an antihistamine because it sounds like your horse is having a reaction
Good luck

Answer 5

We tried everything, and finally found one that works great. We went to see Clinton Anderson and this fly spray was sold at his convention. It's called Pyranha Fly Spray. It is excellent. We spray it on and rub it in alittle and the flies drop before your very eyes. We get it online cheaper than the tack stores that carry it around here.

Answer 6

call a vet