How to Mix Your Own Natural Fly Repellent for Horses With Neem Oil
- 1). Pour 2 cups apple cider vinegar and 1 cup water into your spray bottle. According to the University of California San Diego, high concentrations of apple cider vinegar silence scent activation cells in a fly's brain. The large amount of vinegar in this recipe is strong enough to repel flies.
- 2). Combine 1 cup aloe vera lotion with 2 cups apple cider vinegar in the spray bottle if your horse has sensitive skin. Aloe vera has a healing effect on burned, wounded, irritated and damaged skin. Polysaccharides in aloe increase skin repair and growth, while glycoproteins decrease pain and swelling.
- 3). Add 1/2 oz. of pure neem oil to the mixture in the spray bottle. Neem easily biodegrades and is non-toxic to mammals, making it a very safe oil to use on your horse.
- 4). Add 1/2 oz. of one other essential oil to increase your fly spray's potency. According to Holistic Horse magazine, eucalyptus, tea tree, thyme, garlic, cedarwood and juniper oils are essential oils that are effective additions to natural fly repellent sprays.
- 5). Spray your horse's body with the mixture, giving special attention his lower legs. Do not spray your horse's face; instead, spray a clean cloth and wipe the cloth over his face, avoiding his mouth, nose and eyes.
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