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Fly Protection Hub
Fly Protection for Horses
Flies are not solved by one heavy spray. The barns that stay calmer through fly season do the simple things consistently: clean the environment, prep the coat, apply protection correctly, use physical barriers, and recheck after sweat, rain, turnout, and hauling.
Clean firstProtect secondUse barriersReapply by conditionsFollow the label
Educational care content only. Always follow product labels, avoid eyes, nostrils, mouth, mucous membranes, and open wounds, and consult your veterinarian for abnormal, severe, or worsening signs.
The simple fly-season rule
Fly protection works better when the routine is layered. Do not make the spray bottle do the job of manure management, airflow, turnout timing, fly masks, sheets, boots, and daily observation.
1. Source
Remove what breeds flies.
Manure, wet bedding, rotting feed, mud, and damp organic debris make fly pressure harder to control.
2. Coat
Spray a clean horse.
Brush dust and dried sweat first. Clean, dry coats make coverage more even and easier to repeat.
3. Barrier
Use physical protection.
Fly masks, sheets, boots, leggings, fans, and screens reduce the work your topical routine has to do.
4. Recheck
Adjust by conditions.
Sweat, rain, bathing, heavy turnout, hauling, and high insect pressure can shorten coverage windows.
Why fly protection starts before the bottle
A fly-season routine has two jobs: reduce the number of flies produced around the barn, then make the horse less inviting during turnout, work, hauling, and stall time.
Moisture
Wet organic matter is the problem.
Fly pressure rises when manure, soiled bedding, old hay, feed debris, and mud stay wet long enough to become breeding material.
Water
Standing water changes the insect mix.
Water trough edges, puddles, tires, buckets, drains, and low spots can support mosquitoes and aquatic biting insects.
Resting zones
Flies perch near the horse.
Fences, stall fronts, barn walls, shaded edges, vegetation, and feed areas can keep flies close even when they are not on the horse.
The 5-step fly protection routine
Use this flow for daily turnout, grooming, show mornings, and post-ride resets.
Clean the source first.
Remove manure and soiled bedding often.
Clean spilled feed, old hay, damp corners, and wet traffic areas.
Dump or manage standing water around buckets, troughs, tires, and low spots.
Improve airflow where horses stand, eat, and rest.
Prep the horse.
Brush off dust, loose hair, and dried sweat.
Let a wet coat dry before applying fly protection when possible.
Check face, ears, belly, legs, sheath or udder area, and tailhead.
Do not layer topical products over dirt, sweat, irritation, or open skin.
Apply protection correctly.
Shake Citraquin® before use.
Apply a light, even coat from a safe distance according to the label.
For the face, spray onto a cloth and wipe gently.
Avoid eyes, nostrils, mouth, mucous membranes, sensitive areas, and open wounds.
Add physical barriers.
Use fly masks, sheets, boots, or leggings when the horse and conditions call for it.
Check fit daily for rubs, shifting, trapped debris, or heat buildup.
Use barn screens, fans, nets, and shaded rest options when appropriate.
Remove or adjust gear when it creates irritation.
Reapply by conditions.
Follow the product label first.
Recheck after sweat, rain, bathing, hauling, and long turnout.
Use lighter, more consistent coverage instead of panic-spraying a dirty coat.
Keep a travel bottle in the trailer or grooming tote during fly season.
Watch the horse, not just the flies.
Excessive stomping can lead to hoof, leg, and shoeing issues.
Face rubbing can mean masks, fit, eye irritation, or face flies need attention.
Tail rubbing, sores, welts, bleeding, or crusting need a closer look.
When signs look abnormal or worsening, involve your veterinarian.
Match the routine to the fly pressure
Not every insect acts the same. The right routine depends on where the pressure is coming from and what your horse is showing you.
Stable flies
Legs, belly, stomping
Stable flies often target lower legs and the underside of the horse. Clean wet organic matter, check fence lines and feeding areas, and consider fly boots or leggings when stomping becomes constant.
House + face flies
Eyes, face, secretions
Face pressure often points back to manure, feed debris, moisture, and dirty surfaces. Fly masks, clean faces, and barn hygiene matter here.
Horse + deer flies
Sun, water, painful bites
These are tough to manage with topical products alone. Use shade, turnout timing, water-source awareness, traps where appropriate, and careful observation.
Gnats + midges
Dawn, dusk, ears, belly
Airflow, screens, fine mesh, stabling during peak times, and clean, dry resting areas can make a noticeable difference for sensitive horses.
Mosquitoes
Standing water, evening pressure
Dump standing water, manage trough edges, reduce evening exposure when possible, and work with your veterinarian on region-appropriate mosquito-borne disease prevention.
Ticks
Brush, tall grass, inspection
Keep tall grass and brush managed, inspect after turnout or trail rides, and remove ticks promptly using appropriate tools and veterinary guidance.
Where Citraquin® fits
Citraquin® belongs in the horse-side protection step. Use it after the coat is brushed and reasonably dry, then adjust reapplication based on sweat, rain, turnout time, insect pressure, and label directions.
Citraquin® application flow
Shake well before use.
Brush dust, mud, and dried sweat from the coat.
Apply lightly and evenly according to the label.
For the face, spray onto a cloth and wipe gently.
Avoid eyes, nostrils, mouth, mucous membranes, sensitive areas, and open wounds.
Reapply as needed based on turnout, sweat, rain, bathing, hauling, and insect pressure.
Clean First. Protect Second.
A cleaner barn makes the horse-side routine easier. SuperClean® belongs in the environment-cleaning lane; Citraquin® belongs in the horse’s fly-season routine.
Environment
Reset washable barn surfaces.
Use SuperClean® for barn, stall, trailer, mat, aisle, and washable surface cleaning according to label directions.
Print it, screenshot it, or use it as the barn aisle mental checklist.
Remove manure from stalls, pens, and high-traffic areas often.
Pull wet bedding before it becomes a fly source.
Clean spilled feed and old hay around buckets, feeders, and aisles.
Dump or manage standing water around troughs, buckets, tires, and low spots.
Keep grass, weeds, and brush managed around turnout and fence lines.
Improve airflow in stalls, grooming areas, and resting zones.
Brush the horse before applying fly protection.
Let a wet coat dry before layering spray when possible.
Use a cloth for face application and avoid sensitive areas.
Use fly masks, sheets, boots, or leggings when conditions call for them.
Check fly gear daily for rubs, dirt, shifting, and heat buildup.
Reapply according to label directions and actual conditions.
Recheck after sweat, rain, bathing, turnout, and hauling.
Inspect for ticks after brushy turnout, trail rides, or travel.
Call your veterinarian for abnormal swelling, sores, infection, hives, eye issues, fever, lameness, or worsening signs.
Red flags: when flies are not the only problem
Call your veterinarian when your horse has open sores, persistent bleeding, swelling, hives, severe itching, eye discharge, cloudy eyes, crusting, heat, pain, lameness, fever, dullness, loss of appetite, suspected infection, or any reaction that worsens after topical use.
Fly products and barn routines support comfort. They do not replace veterinary evaluation when the horse looks abnormal or unsafe.
Shop and learn by fly-season job
Start with the problem in front of you, then choose the right lane.
Daily spray
Citraquin® 32oz
Ready-to-use fly-season spray for grooming totes, trailers, and daily routines.
What is the best fly protection routine for horses?
The best routine is layered: remove manure and wet organic debris, manage standing water, improve airflow, use physical barriers such as masks or sheets when needed, apply fly protection to a clean coat, and recheck after sweat, rain, turnout, hauling, or bathing.
How often should I apply fly spray?
Follow the product label first. Reapplication depends on sweat, rain, bathing, turnout time, coat condition, and insect pressure. A light, even routine on a clean coat is usually more practical than heavy application on a dirty or sweaty horse.
Can I spray Citraquin® on my horse’s face?
Do not spray directly toward the face. Spray onto a cloth and wipe gently while avoiding eyes, nostrils, mouth, mucous membranes, sensitive areas, and open wounds.
Why does cleaning matter if I already use fly spray?
Fly sprays support the horse-side routine, but manure, wet bedding, rotting feed, mud, and standing water can keep producing or attracting insects. Clean first so the spray is not doing the whole job alone.
Do fly masks, sheets, boots, and leggings really help?
Physical barriers can help reduce exposure, especially around the face, eyes, legs, belly, and sensitive horses. Check fit daily because dirty, shifted, or rubbing gear can create a new problem.
Where does SuperClean® fit in a fly routine?
SuperClean® belongs in the environment-cleaning lane for washable barn, stall, trailer, mat, aisle, and surface cleaning. Use it according to label directions, then use Citraquin® as part of the horse-side fly-season routine.
Can I use fly spray on sheets, coolers, or gear?
Many riders lightly mist textiles as part of a routine, but spot test first, avoid saturation, and let items dry before full use. Follow the product label and avoid delicate or leather materials unless the label supports that use.
When should I call the vet about fly bites?
Call your veterinarian for abnormal swelling, hives, bleeding, open sores, infection, eye discharge, cloudy eyes, fever, lameness, severe itching, pain, or any reaction that worsens after topical use.
Show-smart note: Always follow the current product label and the rules for your discipline, event, or facility. Governing bodies do not pre-approve every barn routine, and responsibility stays with the exhibitor.
Draw It Out®
Show-Safe Relief. Naturally.
We build every product for real riders who care as much as we do.
No burn, no sting, no nonsense. Just clean, sensation-free relief built for real horses, real barns, and repeatable routines.
From barn aisle to show ring, Draw It Out® stands for one simple promise.
Modern Performance, Proven Calm.
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DRAW IT OUT® HORSE HEALTH CARE SOLUTIONS
Made for riders who expect things to work.
Purposefully designed formulas for horses, dogs, and the people who care for them. Practical products, real education, and support built for everyday barns.
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Thank you so much, Crystal! Hearing that you’ve trusted Draw It Out® 16oz Liniment Gel for years means a lot to us. We love that it’s become part of your before-and-after workout routine, and the image of your horses recognizing the bottle made our day. Appreciate you taking the time to share this.
