Why are horse flies attacking my horse's belly? | arlo.® Atlas

Read time: 3 minutes

Overview

Horse flies may target your horse's belly because the skin there is often thinner, warmer and easier to irritate, especially when the horse is standing quietly, sweating or being turned out in fly season. Some horses also seem more attractive to biting insects than others. It does not always mean there is a skin problem, but it is worth checking for irritation, soreness or anything that might be making the area more noticeable to flies.

Things To Check

1. Check whether the belly irritation happens more after turnout, exercise, grooming or at certain times of day.

2. Look closely for redness, small raised bumps, broken skin, scabs, heat or swelling along the belly and between the hind legs.

3. See whether your horse is stamping, tensing the tummy, swishing the tail, biting at the sides or trying to rub the area.

4. Check if sweat, mud, stable grime or damp bedding is sitting on the coat and making the skin feel sticky or itchy.

5. Make sure rugs, girths or tack are not rubbing the same area, because irritation can make the belly more attractive to flies.

6. Note whether the problem is worse in a certain field, near water, hedges or other insect-heavy areas.

7. Watch for signs that the skin reaction is spreading rather than staying in one small patch.

Common Causes

The most common reason is simple fly irritation in warm weather, especially when horse flies are active around turnout areas, hedges and damp ground. Horses with sweat, dirt or loose hair on the belly can also be more bothered because insects seem to settle where the skin is already warm or irritated.

Other common causes include rubbing from tack or rugs, mild skin sensitivity, or a reaction to repeated bites. In some horses, the belly is just a favourite target because it is harder for them to reach and swat away.

Less commonly, ongoing itching or belly sensitivity may be linked to skin irritation that needs a closer look, especially if the skin is sore, crusted or not settling with normal fly-season care.

What To Do

Start by keeping the belly as clean and dry as you reasonably can, especially after exercise or muddy turnout. Remove sweat, mud and trapped debris gently, and avoid rough scrubbing if the skin already looks sore.

Try to reduce exposure at peak fly times where possible, and keep an eye on turnout fields or areas where insects are especially bad. If your horse is very bothered, it can help to adjust routines such as turnout timing, grooming and post-exercise cooling.

Keep a note of when the problem happens and whether it is getting better or worse. If the skin becomes raw, the horse seems increasingly uncomfortable, or the irritation keeps returning, it is sensible to ask your vet for advice.

Products That May Help

For horses that are struggling with summer irritation, this collection may be useful as part of your routine management, especially when you're trying to keep skin care simple during fly season.

Horse Fly Sprays & Summer Care

Item added to your cart