Conference noted::equitation

    Julie --
    
    	The product that I have used on our is call
    
    		FLYSECT SUPER-7  by EQUI-CARE
    
    I find this fly spray to be fantastic.  You apply it daily for 3
    days, and then it usually lasts for about 6-8 days, without having
    to reapply.  It is has an aloe base to it, and really makes our
    horse look great, detangles the mane too!  (It smells good also).
    
    The bad part, is that it is about $15 a bottle (non-concentrated)
    I have found that the initial bottle will last about a month.
    
    When we have used it on Ben, he is rarely bothered by any type of
    fly.  This product also holds up well under sweat.  What we are
    thinking about doing, however, is offsetting this with standard
    flyspary, and seeing how that works.
    
    		Hope this helps
    
    			Paul

    When I was a kid riding in northern Indiana we used to coat the
    horses ears with vaseline. IT WORKED. Liesl

    Hi Liesl,,
    
    I too had the same reaction with my Quarterhorse Gelding, only with
    Wipe, by Farnam.  He broke out in Welts just in a few days, and
    it actually burned the area around the welts.  It took a lot of
    bathing and fura to get rid of.  I ONLY use Repel-X original formula
    now.  I've had no problems with it, and it seems to work the best
    so far.  They recommend you dilute it 7 parts water to 1 part spray,
    I usually mix 3 to 1.
    
    -Marianne-
    

    	Well, being on the trail as much as I am - I think I have tried
    	just about everything on the market.  I must say I am not to
    	happy with what's offered.
    
    	This year I have been mostly using Tech-Trol by farnam and it
    	seems to work well for the most part.  I have been riding 1
    	to 2 hours a day and it seems to work for about 1 1/2 hours.
     	If he really works hard and sweats alot....  maybe an hour.
     
    	I have LOTS of 'skeeters around where I live and this is the
    	only bug spray that seems to work well against them.
    
    	In the spring I use Skin-So-Soft by Avon for the black flies
    	and this works well for me.  I also put Vasline in their ears
    	the cridders just can't seem to swim in the gook to get at the
    	tender ears.  You have to wash their ears out every other day
    	because the dust does stick as well as the bugs tho...
    
    	When I ride in the spring and early summer, I use earnets -
    	this helps alot against the black flies and deer flies.  I 
    	haven't found anything to keep away deer flies - except squishin'
    	'em wif yer tender widdle hans.  (Or your sandwich at lunch!)
    
    	HAPPY TRAILS!
    
    	Susan

    Has anyone ever used Avon's SkinSo Soft, a bath oil, as an insect
    repellant?  It's supposed to repel flies when applied, mixed with
    water, as a mist.  Also supposed to make show horses shine at the
    same time!
    
    Merrie

    
    	RE .3
    
    	Hi Merrie....
    
    	I have used Skin So Soft on my nag (straight up) and it does
    	help with the 'skiters and black flies - as long as he doesn't
    	sweat much - then it (along with everything else) is useless.
    
    	But if your cridders are just hanging around the barn - it may
    	help.  (and it smells nice too!)
    
    	Susan

    We also use Flysect Super-7.  It's the only thing that's worked
    on Deer Flies for us.  We used to use Repel-X at the strongest
    concentration they recommended.  Supposedly Super-7 is now out as
    a concentrate so that may help with the price.
    
    One warning about switching flysprays.  Sometimes you can get a
    reaction between chemicals used in the different sprays.  This can
    also happen between sprays with organo-phosphates and certain wormers.
    It's recommended that you stop using one spray and give the horse
    a good bath before trying another.  We had a wormer reaction in
    one horse a few months after we stopped using fly spray and it's
    really scary!  Fortunately the horse recovered with no problems.
    Anyways - make sure you're careful when going from one fly spray
    to another.
    
    						Jan

    What's the deal on Skin-so-soft? Is this a lotion hand cream and
    you put it straight on the horse? Is it safe on the face? liesl 

    	It is a BATH OIL....  and from what I heard, some rangers in
    	Florida found out that it worked great for 'skiters and I 
    	figgered that if it didn't hurt people, it shouldn't hurt 
    	my nag.  
    
    	Susan

    Avon's Skin-so-Soft is the spray of choice here in the South where
    fly season runs from April through October.  It is even carried
    in tack shops, at a premium of course.
    
    Even through your Avon lady, it is not cheap - on sale right now
    for $7.98 for 16 oz.  There is some discussion on how much it can
    be cut - most people I have talked to say no more than 3-1 to
    preserve effectiveness.
    
    My Avon lady was telling me that many summer camps, field trips,
    etc, REQUIRE each kid to have his own bottle, and some lucky Avon
    reps get to order the stuff for a whole school or camp.
    
    At least you could be fairly confident that your horse wouldn't
    have a wormer reaction or skin problem from this stuff!