This summer when the flies are irritating your shetland or foal, get him a fly rug to keep the flies down to a minimum. Flies are not only annoying for your pony but can also cause an allergic reaction and some flies such as horse flies deliver a nasty bite that can become infected leading to more serious problems such as blood poisoning. A simple fly sheet will help to keep the flies away from your pony therefore making it much more comfortable for him.

Should you find flies eggs you should remove them as soon as possible. They are most likely bot fly eggs, bot flies have no mouth or sting, their sole purpose is to procreate. The fly lays its eggs usually on the legs but can also be found on the shoulders, neck and mane of the horse or pony.

Getting Rid of Flies

Stand your pony in the stable yard and even better, on a tarpaulin or large sheet if he will go on it.  The best method for removing fly eggs is with a razor, a simple disposable razor will do. Shave the leg hair to remove the fly eggs and then dispose of the debris on the sheet in a bin or burn it (not the sheet - obviously!).  It is vital that you check your pony regularly for eggs, if he is with other ponies in the field they will lick each other and ingest the eggs that way.

The bot fly egg will develop into a larva and then be ingested into the stomach where it attaches itself to the stomach lining and then starts to feed on your pony's food. The larva can stay in the stomach for up to 10 months robbing your pony of any nutrition and in some cases causing an ulcerated stomach before emerging in pupa form through the pony's manure where it then burrows into the ground and begins the cycle all over again.  A fly rug goes some way to help in preventing this.

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