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Flies around Ocala do not take much of a winter break. Warm weather, humidity, summer rain and manure give them plenty of room to breed, so the fly spray you pick has to hold up to sweat, bathing and afternoon storms. This guide covers the spray we reach for, the gear we pair it with and how to get more days out of every bottle.
If you want the whole list of barn gear in one place, see our Amazon horse supply picks for Ocala barns.
What is the best fly spray for horses in Florida?
For Florida conditions, look for a sweat-resistant, long-lasting insecticide and repellent rather than a light, quick-mist product. Our pick is Absorbine UltraShield EX Insecticide and Repellent (32 fl oz) (paid link), used with a fly mask and fly sheet so the spray is not doing all the work alone.
- Fly spray: Absorbine UltraShield EX Insecticide and Repellent (32 fl oz) (paid link)
- Fly mask: Farnam SuperMask II Fly Mask, without ears (paid link)
- Fly sheet: HILASON UV mesh horse fly sheet (78 in) (paid link)
- Feed-through: Formula 707 MultiFly Feed-Thru (5 lb) (paid link)
Our fly spray picks
Absorbine UltraShield EX
UltraShield EX is sold as an insecticide and repellent in a 32 fl oz bottle, which makes it a full-strength choice for horses on turnout during peak fly months. It suits owners who want one main spray for daily use rather than a mild product they reapply several times a day. Read the label for how often to apply and which pests it lists, since that is what the product is tested and registered for. Check UltraShield EX on Amazon (paid link).
How to apply: groom first so the spray reaches the coat instead of sitting on dust, then mist the legs, belly, chest and neck where flies land most. Spray onto a cloth for the face rather than misting near the eyes.
Sweat and rain note: no spray lasts as long on a wet horse as it does on a dry one. If your horse gets bathed or caught in a storm, plan to reapply as the label allows.
Does fly spray work in Florida humidity and rain?
Yes, but expect shorter protection than the bottle suggests on a hot, wet day. Sweat, rinsing and rain wash product off the coat, and humid air keeps horses damp longer. That is why we treat spray as one layer in a plan, not the whole plan.
A few habits help a lot. Apply after bathing, once the coat is dry. Put spray on before turnout rather than after the flies have already found the horse. Store the bottle as the label directs, away from feed.
Do you need a fly mask and fly sheet too?
For most Florida horses, yes. A fly mask protects the eyes and face, where you cannot spray heavily, and a fly sheet covers the body so you need less spray to keep flies off. Both keep working on days when afternoon rain would wash spray away, and both help a horse that reacts to sprays or has sensitive skin.
Fly mask pick
Farnam SuperMask II Fly Mask, without ears (paid link) is a version without ears and comes in size options, so measure your horse and check the size chart on the listing before ordering. Check the mask daily for rubs and remove it to clean the face. If your horse is bothered by flies around the ears, look at an eared version instead.
Fly sheet pick
HILASON UV mesh horse fly sheet (78 in) (paid link) is a UV mesh sheet listed at 78 inches. Sheets are sized by the horse’s body length, so measure from the center of the chest to the point of the buttock before you buy. Mesh sheets can trap water if a horse rolls in a wet paddock, so check the coat underneath after storms. Our rain rot treatment guide explains why a damp coat under a sheet is worth watching in summer.
Is feed-through fly control worth it?
Feed-through fly control can be worth it on farms where every horse on the property gets the same product and manure is picked up and managed well, because it works on the manure side of the problem. Formula 707 MultiFly Feed-Thru (5 lb) (paid link) comes as a 5 lb supplement.
Talk to your vet before starting any feed-through product, especially for pregnant mares, young horses or horses on other supplements, and follow the feeding directions on the label.
Feed-through control does not replace spray, masks or stall cleaning. Think of it as a background layer.
How often should you apply fly spray?
Follow the label. Most horses need reapplication after bathing, heavy sweating or rain, and turnout horses in summer usually need it more often than stalled horses. If you find yourself spraying many times a day, add a mask and sheet and look hard at manure and standing water around the barn.
- Pick stalls and paddocks often and keep the manure pile away from the barn.
- Dump standing water in buckets, tarps and old tires after storms.
- Run stall fans for comfort, but do not count on them as fly control. A University of Kentucky Extension study found common box and mounted stall fans reached the air speed needed to deter flies in only a small part of the stall.
- Clean the face and legs before spraying so product reaches the coat.
Manure and wet, soiled hay are where many barn flies breed, so cleanup does more than any bottle. UF/IFAS Extension calls removing moist stable fly breeding sites the best cultural control. For the barn and pasture side, see our year-round fly control plan.
Hot weather and heavy spraying usually go together. For the hydration side of summer care, see electrolytes for horses in Florida heat.
How we chose
We picked products by the type of protection Florida horses need: a full-strength spray, face protection, body coverage and a feed-through layer. We do not list prices because they change often, and we do not post star ratings or test scores we have not measured ourselves. Check the current listing, reviews and label before you buy.
FAQ
Is homemade fly spray safe for horses?
Some owners mix their own sprays, but homemade blends are not tested the way labeled products are, and some essential oils can irritate skin. Patch test anything new on a small area and ask your vet if your horse has sensitive skin.
Can I use fly spray on a foal?
Only if the label says the product is safe for foals and at what age. If it does not say, ask your vet first.
How long does fly spray last?
It depends on the product, the weather and the horse. Use the label as the upper limit and expect less on hot, wet days.
When is fly season in Ocala?
Flies are most active in the warm, wet months, but in Central Florida they can show up most of the year. Plan for fly control as a year-round routine with a lighter touch in the cool weeks. Showing this winter? Pack spray and a mask using our WEC Ocala packing list.
Ready to build your kit? Start with our Ocala barn essentials list. This is general barn care information, not veterinary advice. Follow the product label and ask your vet about anything that worries you.