Hello Dr. Lowder,
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I found your "Ask the Vet" question column on horsecity.com, but my Microsoft Outlook would not work so I hope you don't mind answering back to me personally if you have time. My first question is about bug repellent. I have 2 very sensitive skinned horses, and really don't like putting a lot of chemicals on their skin. Not to mention the cost isÊout of my range for bug repellent. I am operating on a tight budget to keep any horses.
Is it OK to make your own with vinegar, lemon juice and a few drops ofÊcooking oil?ÊAlso, I have heard that you can put garlic powder in your horses feed. I don't grain feed my horses much, they aren't ridden hard enough and I have pretty good pasture.ÊWe have a swamp right behind our pasture in the woods, so between the swamp and the woods I fight bugs constantly.
I vaccinated my horses against West Nile with 1 shot back in May or June,Êdo they need another now? Also how do you get rid of those ugly bot eggs on their legs. ÊAnd the last question, is it OK to use bacon grease on their hooves? The farrier said my horses feet were dry, and that is what she told me to use, but I wasn't quite to sure on that. I am not able to purchase theÊproducts in the feed store for hooves, and there are so many. I can get plenty of bacon grease from where I work though if it willÊhelp their hooves.
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I hope to hear back from you.
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Have a good day,
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Rebecca Middlebrooks
Rebecca,
The homemade fly repellent might work some but the pyrethrin bugs repellents are natural too. Pyrethrin are either of two viscous liquid esters, C21H28O3 or C22H28O5, that are extracted from pyrethrum flowers and used as insecticides.
The garlic will make the barn smell good but do nothing for fly control. Garlic also has been shown to increase feed consumption in some horses. In some horses, high concentrations can be toxic.
The best way to get rid of the bot eggs is to get a sharp knife to scrape the eggs off. You may even try a warm cloth in those hard to reach places. Bacon grease does work wonders on the hooves to keep them moist.
Thank You,
Dr. Lowder
