Horseback riding help??

Question

ok well i was riding last sunday in a trail and open feilds and bugs were killing my horse! my horse's head was moving around wacko and i almost fell off! it was doing it for the whole hour!

how do u get the horse to stop moving it's head becuse of bugs?

Answer 1

Horsegirl:

I know what you mean. Your having a lovely time, and suddenly half a zillion little flys or gnats or what ever they are make a dive for your horses head and you too. These things bite! The sound is awful to your horse, and yes they do try to get away from them.

Prevention: Biting fly and bugs! After brushing and tacking up, I spritz sweat-proof fly spray on the legs, belly line,tail, and onto my hand ( or a soft cloth) and wipe well over the ears,face and neck. The evil insects stay away and you do not need to try and train him to ignore these painful bugs. There is a special brand of bug repellent for ears, it won't dribble inside and harm him, and is well worth the few bucks and effort. Swat makes a goopy ear repellent, I like Endure roll on for ears, and the spray for the non saddled body area. A bath with a tbs per gallon of wash water of apple cider vinegar and 1 tbs per gal of olive or baby oil helps keep the biting bugs away while restoring coat quality at a few pennies a wash. I sponge sweat away after riding with this mix...works really nice. Luck and be safe!!

Answer 2

Are you sure its not because you're heavy on the bit? Horses will throw their heads if you're pulling too hard on the reigns, if theyre not well behaved, or not willing to be ridden.

If its none of those things, invest in some fly spray. Squirt a soft sponge with it, and wipe his face before tacking up.

Answer 3

Get some fly spray/wipes. I have found wipes easier and more effective as the spray doesn't all go on the horse. But both work a bit! It also helps if you are going out on a long ride to stop and apply some half way though your ride-- this is when wipes come in handy. Other things you can do are keep away from bushs and water, as miges really like these. If your horse has got sweet itch it will be even more irritating for him as it means he will have an alergic recation to the bitrs and will rub hime mail/tail in the field. If this is the case bring him in during the day and out as night, when there are less midges. You can also get stuff to put on their tails to avoid it. If you are still having problems out hacking then you could get a nose mask and ear mask wich keeps the flys out of the most irritating places!

Answer 4

try using fly spray before you go out an a trail ride. it works for all bugs realy. i like any kind of spray by farnam. so yea go to your local tack/equine store to get a spray bottle of fly spray and spray it on him before you go out for a ride. or if its a really bug infested area...idk why you would wanna go there...but get a mini spray bottle and por some fly spray in it so you have a portable fly spray for trails.