Fly Relief for Horses - Insect Repellant

It is a beautiful day, we just got home from soccer games and started working around the house. My husband came in and said to me, get your oils on the horses the flies are horrible. So I made my mixture of Peppermint and Lavender. I filled a 4oz bottle with water and placed 7-10 drops of each. Shake well and went out and sprayed the horses. Some horses don't like to be sprayed so I spray on my hands and then rub them down. This blend also works great to keep other insects away so we spray it in the barn.

I also put  Lavender on my hands and let my horses smell and I spray on the fly mask before applying. Peppermint is also very cooling and horses love it, avoid around the eyes and dilute the peppermint if putting directly on the nose. Do not spray mixture in the eye, ears or nose. You may place on hand and rub on but not in. If you do not have all these oils, that is okay. Make a mixture with water and oils of choice. Use 10-15 drops with 4oz. water if using a single oil. Apply every 3-4 hours or as needed. Every horse is different and my like different oils. The TerraSheild Blend works great as well.  My horse loves Lavender and my other horse likes Peppermint.

Horses are sensitive so you can rub on hands first then let them smell your hands.
My horses are so happy. The flies were covering there fly masks. I felt so bad for them and was so happy I could provide them with some relief. I did not use Rosemary but it is suggested to use that one too, if you do make sure you dilute it.

Everywhere and every horse is different so I suggest trying a few options to see what works best for your area and your horse. Give your horse the choice and let him smell before you apply, be patient and gentle. I have read not to put the oils directly on there nose, but I have because that is where the flies were hanging out and they didn't seem to mind. Follow your instinct. They are like Children so use the oils as if you were using them on a child.

When camping we use the TerraShield Blend in a spray bottle and spray around the doors of the camper and on the kids. We use this at home as well and at the lake. It is that time of year where other insects and spiders are coming inside as it get colder outside, I diffuse oils and have cotton balls in the vents with Peppermint or Purify and by the windows. Keep in mind I use only doTERRA CPTG Essential Oils and trust them completely, use caution with other oils as I don't know anything about them.

Here are some other suggestions for Insect Repellent.
  
Essential Oils Unfriendly to Insects
ANTS – Repellent Blend, Peppermint, Rosemary
APHIDS – Peppermint
BEETLES – Repellent Blend, Peppermint, Thyme
CHIGGERS* – Repellent Blend, Lavender, Lemongrass, Thyme
CUTWORM – Thyme
FLEAS* – Repellent Blend, Purify, Lavender, Lemongrass, Peppermint
FLIES – Repellent Blend, Lavender, Peppermint, Rosemary
GNATS – Repellent Blend
MOSQUITOES* – Repellent Blend, Lavender, Lemongrass
MOTHS – Repellent Blend, Purify, Lavender, Peppermint
PLANT LICE – Peppermint
SPIDERS* – Repellent Blend, Purify, Peppermint
TICKS* – Purify, Lavender, Lemongrass, Thyme
BLACK WIDOW- Oregano
SCORPIN - Basil
*In case these insects find you before you use your oils, the same oils that repel insects also relieve the effect of the bites.

More Information:
To Keep mice away, use a cotton ball and drop Peppermint oil or Purify, place where mice would be.
BLACKBERRIES – to discourage unwanted blackberries in your yard, cut stems close to the ground and immediately apply a drop of Clove oil to the fresh cut.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease.