How to Make DIY Horse Fly Spray
When it comes to choosing a horse fly spray for your horse, the options can feel overwhelming. Walk into any feed store, and you’ll see shelves full of sprays claiming to be the best horse fly spray for keeping flies and insects away.
Naturally, that raises a lot of questions. What exactly is in horse fly spray? Are store-bought products better than a natural horse fly spray? And if you want to make your own, how to make a DIY horse fly spray that is actually effective?
The truth is, there isn’t a single perfect answer. Some riders swear by commercial formulas because they’re convenient and often formulated as a concentrated horse fly spray designed for longer protection. Others prefer experimenting with a homemade horse fly spray or an all-natural horse fly spray that uses essential oils and household ingredients.
In the spirit of curiosity—and maybe becoming a little more environmentally conscious—it’s worth looking at some of the most common ingredients used in a natural horse fly spray recipe. The internet is full of ideas for a homemade horse fly spray recipe, and while results can vary, these ingredients appear in many of the most popular mixtures.
Below are a few of the ingredients often found in a recipe for horse fly spray that people try when creating their own homemade horse fly spray for horses.
Avon’s Skin So Soft
Among horse owners who enjoy experimenting with DIY solutions, Skin So Soft horse fly spray mixtures are extremely popular. In fact, many people specifically search for a Skin So Soft horse fly spray recipe when learning how to make homemade horse fly spray.
Originally developed as a mineral oil-based moisturizer for people, Avon’s Skin So Soft has gained a reputation among riders as a base ingredient in some best DIY horse fly spray blends.
The product line has also expanded over the years to include bug-repelling lotions for humans, which likely contributes to its popularity in many homemade horse fly spray mixtures.
Citronella Oil
Citronella oil is another ingredient that frequently appears in a natural horse fly spray recipe. Known for its strong scent, citronella has long been used in insect-repelling products for people and animals.
It’s important to note that there are two very different types of citronella oil. One is the concentrated essential oil used in cosmetic and natural products. The other is the flammable fuel used in tiki torches. For any DIY horse fly spray, you should only consider the pure essential oil version.
Because citronella is highly concentrated, it should always be diluted when included in a homemade horse fly spray recipe. Many riders believe it can help repel mosquitoes and stable flies, making it a common ingredient in natural horse fly spray blends.
Eucalyptus Oil
Another oil commonly mentioned in all-natural horse fly spray mixtures is eucalyptus oil. While research on its effectiveness against horse flies is limited, lemon eucalyptus oil is recognized for its insect-repelling properties and is even EPA-registered for mosquito control in certain products.
Like citronella, eucalyptus oil is very potent. If you’re experimenting with making horse fly spray, it should always be used in small, diluted amounts. Some riders add it to create a strong horse fly spray aroma that may discourage insects.
Dish Soap
Dish soap might seem like an unusual addition to a homemade horse fly spray, but it actually serves an important purpose.
In many DIY horse fly spray mixtures, dish soap works as an emulsifier. This means it helps oils and water mix together instead of separating. Without it, your natural horse fly spray might separate quickly in the bottle.
You’ll see many versions of a recipe for horse fly spray that include just a small amount of dish soap to keep the mixture evenly blended.
Vinegar
Vinegar is another ingredient frequently used in homemade horse fly spray recipes. Some people prefer white vinegar, while others specifically create an apple cider vinegar horse fly spray.
There isn’t much scientific research confirming exactly which insects vinegar repels, but it has been widely mentioned in anecdotal reports from horse owners. Apple cider vinegar in particular appears in many best homemade horse fly spray blends.
I also found lots of references to apple cider vinegar used as a topical treatment for insect bites. Another added value to using vinegar topically is that it can also create a great sheen on your horse, but it’s nothing like Grand Coat! (FYI, Grand Coat is the most awesome coat supplement I have ever used for quick, super-healthy coat condition – I think Grand Coat is also excellent at improving the skin underneath the hair coat, and healthy skin will ward off anything!)
A Note on Effectiveness
Whether you use a store-bought horse fly spray or experiment with a DIY horse fly spray, results can vary depending on the environment, the insects in your area, and how often the product is applied.
Many riders wonder how long horse fly spray lasts once applied. The answer depends on the formulation. Some commercial best horse fly sprays are designed to last several hours, while many homemade horse fly spray mixtures may need to be reapplied more frequently.
If you’re considering making your own natural horse fly spray, it’s always wise to test a small amount first and monitor how your horse responds.
