Natural insect repellents for horses: 10 tips

The Natural Way - specialised in itching and skin complaints and the natural treatment of sweet itch, mud fever and CPL.

Does your horse suffer from insects? In this blog, I share 10 tips on natural insect repellents, because prevention is better than cure!  

Zoem Spray - The Natural Way © Kinga Luberda

 

- 1 - Shade

Ensure your horse can decide for itself to avoid insects. The most obvious choice is to allow it to seek shade. For horses that suffer from Insect Bite Hypersensitivity (IBH), such as summer eczema, it is also an option to avoid spending peak hours (sunrise and sunset) in the pasture or to only allow them to be in the shade.

- 2 - Insect spray

Zoem Spray - our 100% natural insect repellent coat spray for horses - is the ideal protection in the pasture, during outdoor rides or walks and during training. Zoem Spray protects your horse naturally against flies, mosquitoes, midges and ticks!

- 3 - Fly rug and mask

Another solution to protect your horse against flying pests is a fly rug and/or mask. Preferably choose a stiff rug with zebra stripes.

- 4 - Insect trap

Did you know that horseflies are difficult to repel with sprays? Horseflies are visually and thermally attracted to your horse. That is why horses with dark coats suffer more from bites when they are moving. A horsefly trap (a dark ball in motion) works well as a control measure in the pasture.


 
Zoem Spray - The Natural Way © Kinga Luberda

- 5 - Hygiene

Insects are attracted to horse manure and lay their eggs in it. To avoid a fly explosion, you can nip their new generation in the bud by removing the manure once a day or more often. Also, make sure your horse is not standing near the manure heap.

- 6 - Avoid standing water

Do you have standing water, such as a ditch, in the vicinity? That's nice, but often also very annoying. Insects, such as mosquitoes, lay their eggs in standing water, where they develop into larvae. Try to keep your pasture as free as possible from puddles and change the drinking water daily.

- 7 - Insect-repellent plants

Although you will not be able to repel all insects with them, they are a wonderful addition to your environment. Plant insect-repellent plants and herbs such as rosemary, cattail, lavender, peppermint, lemon balm, etc. With native plants, you also create a biotope that attracts predators such as bats and dragonflies, which feast on insects!

- 8 - Fan

Did you know that midges cannot fly higher than 1 metre? And that they also cannot fly very far? Therefore, place a fan in the stable or shelter and direct it towards the legs. Your horse will thank you for it! No way to connect a fan? Then make sure there is sufficient air circulation in and around the stable, without exposing your horse to draughts.

- 9 - Rolling

A horse can provide itself with a protective layer by rolling in the sand or mud. Seeing those breaded schnitzels in the pasture has its advantages!

- 10 - Optimising health

Horses with low resistance appear to be more attractive to insects. Support your horse with herbs, avoid unhealthy food and ask your vet or therapist for advice on a tailor-made approach. 



 Zoem Spray - The Natural Way © Kinga Luberda

NEED HELP?

Laura Cleirens from The Natural Way specialises in the natural treatment of itching and skin complaints in horses, such as sweet itch, mud fever and CPL. 

Discover our 100 % natural range here: Sweet Itch Lotion, Mud Fever Oil, CPL Oil, Nature Shampoo and Zoem Spray, as well as e-books on Primal Food, Itch and Horse Herbs. 

© Laura Cleirens - 2025.07.02
Last update: 2026.01.28