Pretty disappointing... or is it?

[Cowgirl]

Originally Posted by Jason Green

...wonderful, just wonderful isn't it? Now not only have I lost out on half the site but when I come to squeezing into the remaining rejected part that probably now has a complex I'll get chewed to ribbons by Tabanids. Can't wait, I'm buzzing with excitement here as you may may be able to hear from where you are. Maybe I'll slip on an extra coat or ten as protection, in fact I think I can hear the horses laughing at me already

It's all right Jason, they're all up here, chasing me around, saying "I vant to drynk yor bluud"!

[loripo]

You have vampire horses North of York

[Cowgirl]

Yeah, we're 'ard up 'ere!

[Paul mabbott]

Originally Posted by Kayleigh

We never treated ours against horseflies, we made a solution of citronella oil, cold tea ect and sprayed the horse before being ridden the smell kept them away.
We did worm regular though so this would have an affect on the beetles I should imagine.

Glad to hear that you didn't kill the dung beetles!
I suspect that vermicides are a different matter entirely; I've not heard of them being a problem.

[Ladywell]

Responsible horse/pony owners (and most are) use wormers very carefully. When our ponies are wormed they are kept in for 48 hours and the dung is burnt. We don't worm often as we run sheep on the land which clears the pasture naturally. Echo someone elses post that we use natural fly repellants where possible - apart from not endangering the environment - they are so much cheaper.