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Susan M. Herrick
Member
Username: quatro
Post Number: 868
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, Jul 26, 2008 - 5:36 pm: |   |
We have tried all the sprays, all the homemade remedies, and I think that we finally found the key to managing the war on Flys.
As illustrated by Levi, Jedi Fly Fighter!
I have just tried this new product called "Shofly leggins". They are awesome! The stay put, do not fall down, or tear off, kinda spendy, but I highly recommend them.
suz
P.S. The water bottle, is for when he gets tired and thirsty from all that swattin' |
Ann
Member
Username: dres
Post Number: 1897
Registered: 10-2000
| | Posted on Saturday, Jul 26, 2008 - 6:07 pm: | |
 definitely would NOT send these pictures home.. he looks comfy and circus clown like
... what is up with horses and our water bottles ???
On the first day God created horses, on the second day he painted them with spots.. |
Diane E.
Member
Username: scooter
Post Number: 2528
Registered: 9-2000
| | Posted on Saturday, Jul 26, 2008 - 6:42 pm: | |
Susan, I think you spoil that boy .
He looks happy tho! |
Lilo
Member
Username: lilo
Post Number: 842
Registered: 4-2000
| | Posted on Saturday, Jul 26, 2008 - 7:14 pm: | |
Funny!!! Lilo |
Sara Wolff
Member
Username: mrose
Post Number: 3787
Registered: 1-2000
| | Posted on Saturday, Jul 26, 2008 - 10:33 pm: | |
Love the look! |
Leilani
Member
Username: leilani
Post Number: 466
Registered: 4-2000
| | Posted on Sunday, Jul 27, 2008 - 12:14 am: | |
Too funny. Great look Levi. Get those damn flies. |
Cyndy
Member
Username: hpyhaulr
Post Number: 365
Registered: 12-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, Jul 27, 2008 - 7:20 am: | |
What a fashion plate he has become. And functional to boot!!! (all puns intended) |
Cindy O'DELL
Member
Username: zarr
Post Number: 1091
Registered: 6-2000
| | Posted on Sunday, Jul 27, 2008 - 11:51 am: | |
There are two horses down from us that have on the same appreal as Levi but it is ALL PURPLE! Shocking site as you round the bend and spy 2 intensly purple horse  Cindy |
Susan M. Herrick
Member
Username: quatro
Post Number: 870
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, Jul 27, 2008 - 12:46 pm: | |
PURPLE, my favorite color. Perhaps this winter when summer gear goes "on sale" I will have to update his wardrobe!
All 3 of my horse reluctantly, by the other two boy's standards, wear fly gear, but it is so nice to look out into the pasture and see them happily grazing, instead of stomping, swishing and circling each other for fly control.
Check out the Shofly leggins though, especially if your horses are having cracked hooves from stomping. They are really incredible. They stay up, they don't get torn off by bushes, like the ones with outside velcro straps. I have not been able to convince them that the back leg ones are not some alien invaders trying to latch onto them. they try to kick them off, and end up marching across the field. I am sure if I spent time desensitizing they would do great.
Suz |
Fran C
Member
Username: canter
Post Number: 1595
Registered: 1-2000
| | Posted on Sunday, Jul 27, 2008 - 7:12 pm: | |
Susan, where did you get the Shofly leggings? I purchased the normal mesh ones, and I swear the flies bite right through them and they don't stay up very well, so are causing some rubbing. As a result, my horse wears them one or two days on, and then I leave them off for a day or two. Since she had a reaction to fly bites not that long ago, I'd prefer to keep her more protected than what she is getting with the on again/off again schedule.
PS. Levi is quite talented with his ability to use that fly swatter! Very cute pix! |
Susan M. Herrick
Member
Username: quatro
Post Number: 871
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, Jul 27, 2008 - 9:09 pm: | |
He is quite the talent. We are thinking of doing a calendar, so he can work to defer all the millions in vet/farrier bills he has cost me LOL
You can find the shofly leggin at www.kvvetsupply.com. They come in a set of 4,in different sizes for tallness of horse. I have Levi in the large, and the other boys in the medium.
I have left them on even overnight, and no chafing, I don't find them laying out in the field, or hung up on branches. They have stays built into them, like in a corset, so they just stay put. Great invention!
They run around $49.00 a set, but i pay at least that much in fly spray.
Suz |
LL
Member
Username: frances
Post Number: 645
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Monday, Jul 28, 2008 - 3:48 am: | |
Do they not get sweaty legs under them, Susan? Otherwise they sound great. |
Gwen Robison
Member
Username: gwen
Post Number: 728
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Monday, Jul 28, 2008 - 3:06 pm: | |
Oh boy, he looks like a hammmm! |
Muffi Delaney
Member
Username: muffi
Post Number: 278
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, Jul 31, 2008 - 1:07 am: | |
Do you ever use rear fly boots? I tried them on my boys and one walked around for the first hour shaking his legs the other appeared really calm at first then I heard this Bang Bang Bang from the house - He was trying to kick them off in the barn against the walls! Shame on him....
(yea I ran out and took them off cause I like my barn in one peice)lol
but no fly sheets for my guys - lots of spray though and Avon SSSoft on the face where the muzzle peeks out from under the mask & on their ears too. no where as fashionable as Levi.... but still adorable I think! |
Andrea Duncan
Member
Username: babychop
Post Number: 148
Registered: 5-2008
| | Posted on Thursday, Jul 31, 2008 - 5:15 pm: | |
I have a colt that will NOT keep his fly boots on, he gets them and fly masks off no matter what I do. The fly sheet is fine though. Any suggestions? Cute photos by the way... |
Susan M. Herrick
Member
Username: quatro
Post Number: 872
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, Jul 31, 2008 - 10:35 pm: | |
Hey Andrea, Levi would do the same thing with the traditional fly boots, that have 3 or 4 straps going across with velcro, These sho fly leggins, have hidden kinda closures. there is a velcro strap at the top and bottom, but the center is a seam of velcro. They have not come off in several weeks.
I don't know if you have tried the Wrangler fly masks? They are pretty form fitting to thier heads, and stay on fairly well, Occasionally, I have a weird 3 eared horse coming in from pasture however.
We look so forward to summer, and then we can't wait for fall/winter for NO MORE FLYS! |
Andrea Duncan
Member
Username: babychop
Post Number: 150
Registered: 5-2008
| | Posted on Friday, Aug 1, 2008 - 10:51 am: | |
Hmmm, I can't remember the name of the ones I've purchased, I've even tried the ones w/fur for comfort but even the most horse resistant velcro has not stopped my boy, he's very mouthy to begin with & I think it gives him something to do. 
As for the fly masks, I've tried cashel, kensington (with the awesome double velcro latch) and a few others, my ninja mare has since relented & now wears hers but my older boy? Gone & at the bottom of the water trough or in the other pen in 5. I'll look for the wranglers.
Oh, and I too have experienced sightings of the rare 3 eared beastie ~ |
Tonya
Member
Username: pbauer
Post Number: 503
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Friday, Aug 8, 2008 - 10:48 pm: | |
Dear Susan,
Levi, looks like my kind of cool!
Dear Andrea,
I've given this fly mask question some thought, and think I'm going to try:
http://www.race-pro.ca/systems.html I'm not sure when I'll place an order...it might even be next year...fly season is winding down here in Colorado. Eye protection is so important!
Blessings,
Tonya |
Kathy in NM
Member
Username: klowe
Post Number: 50
Registered: 10-2007
| | Posted on Monday, Aug 25, 2008 - 3:12 pm: | |
Suz, a belated question...don't you have problems with debris falling into the tops of these wraps? My property is full of weeds, trees that get rubbed, on etc...even with the tighter fitting leggings, things get down inside. Or are you one of those lucky folks with only grass?
Levi is very handsome and poses so well! If I took pictures of my 2 guys, they would like like raggle-taggle orphans in mismatched, patched up clothes. I live in alfalfa growing country, where anything but a fly mask is uncommon, I am sure my neighbors are falling all over themselves laughing! Fortunately I am way at the end of a dead-end road...
Anyhow, just curious...both of these boys are Xs and nothing fits very well, too big or too small.
Thanks, Kathy |
Susan M. Herrick
Member
Username: quatro
Post Number: 878
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Monday, Aug 25, 2008 - 11:23 pm: | |
Hi Kathy
We have mostly grassy pastures, but the grove is weedy and branches everywhere. I have not ever noticed anything getting caught in there. There is sheepskin on the bottom, and that will on occassion pick up a sticky weed once in a while.
Also I have noticed that Levi's boots, and he is the hardest on everything, have shown the most wear. I have left them on 24/7 for many days, and the stays have cracked in a few places. They are not falling down, but I have noticed that tney do not have the same "stay uppedness" (how's that for an invented word?)as the other 2 horses leggins.
The mosquitos were horrible tonight, I need to get their outfits back on again!
Is he not just the cutest thing |
Kathy in NM
Member
Username: klowe
Post Number: 52
Registered: 10-2007
| | Posted on Tuesday, Aug 26, 2008 - 12:47 pm: | |
Thanks for the update. He is indeed a very handsome boy! He looks very calm and composed.
Every time I look out the window at mine, I start to giggle...I do think a horse-clothing calendar might be in order. My guys aren't too crazy about the putting on of fly wraps, but they are fine when I get them on, both front and back. They do tend to sag, though. It contributes to that lost/neglected child look they have...
Kathy |
leslie christian
Member
Username: leslie1
Post Number: 332
Registered: 8-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, Aug 26, 2008 - 1:15 pm: | |
Yes, he is VERY cute
But It does remind me of 'torturing' my younger cousin Robert by dressing him up in girl clothes and then parading him down the street in a pink stroller when we were kids... he still hasnt gotten over that. |
Susan M. Herrick
Member
Username: quatro
Post Number: 879
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, Aug 26, 2008 - 2:23 pm: | |
I know what ya mean Leslie, its a good thing horses don't have ego's. He could care less what garb I put him in, as long as he can graze and not stomp and swoosh his tail and head the whole time, he is happy.
All my "cowboy" neighbors shake their heads at my "spoiled rotten" animals. But I just shake MY head when I look at their animals with 20 deep flys stuck in the corners of thier eyes, hooves split and cracked from constant jabbing at the ground, standing in fields butt to head looking for some relief. I'll take my spoiled 'tortured' critters any day |
leslie christian
Member
Username: leslie1
Post Number: 333
Registered: 8-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, Aug 26, 2008 - 5:25 pm: | |
I am the same way. I keep the Pumpkin Eater covered too. I use the "bug eye" masks, which look totally ridiculous but work great. She is very sensitive to the biting flies. So I keep her in sheets but I think if she had her way she would rather have a 1/4 inch sheet made of mud than one of propelene(sp?)
I would love to see a horse clothing calendar, with 'captions'. I think one of Levi dressed up with the water bottle would be adorable
Leslie |
Cindy O'DELL
Member
Username: zarr
Post Number: 1122
Registered: 6-2000
| | Posted on Tuesday, Aug 26, 2008 - 9:28 pm: | |
Susan, we just had our first WNV in the neighborhood and if that isn't enough to scare you into "bedsheets" I don't no what is!! My MFT mare will not keep her mask on she decorates the trees, bushes, tall grasses anything that will take it off! I use the mixture of skin so soft and my big guy does not like that girly smell! If we could all get a early hard frost and then a LOOOOOOOng Indian Summer how happy we would be ! |
Susan M. Herrick
Member
Username: quatro
Post Number: 880
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, Aug 26, 2008 - 11:44 pm: | |
The mosquitoes have just gotten very heavy. We have not had rain, but I have noticed in any standing water, skeeters are everywhere.
I saw a dead morning dove in the pasture, I worry about the WNV when I see them. It was long dead, so too late to send in for testing I am sure.
WE are working on a calendar someday. I have to do something to help pay for Levi's vet bills.
This is his summer shot for the calendar
 |
leslie christian
Member
Username: leslie1
Post Number: 335
Registered: 8-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, Aug 27, 2008 - 12:27 am: | |
LOL!!!
He looks like Kid Rock! |
Ann
Member
Username: dres
Post Number: 1945
Registered: 10-2000
| | Posted on Wednesday, Aug 27, 2008 - 1:16 am: | |
oh sexy!!
On the first day God created horses, on the second day he painted them with spots.. |
Kathy in NM
Member
Username: klowe
Post Number: 53
Registered: 10-2007
| | Posted on Wednesday, Aug 27, 2008 - 12:47 pm: | |
Suz, how do you get him to pose so well? |
Susan M. Herrick
Member
Username: quatro
Post Number: 881
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, Aug 28, 2008 - 10:41 am: | |
Hey Kathy, Levi is quite the hamm! Much to the disgust of some of my "horsey friends" Levi is very much food/treat oriented. Contrary to popular belief, he does not bite because of it.
I train dogs, and train them to do lots of "stupid pet tricks" so I thought I would see how levi would do.
We do shaping/target behavior training. Believe it or not, alot of his tricks have made him easier to work with. He was taught to touch a cone, while lowering his head first. Kind of like "clicker training" however I mark the correct behavior with words as opposed to clicks. Now, when I want to put his bridle/halter on, I just say "put your head down", and voila!
He is very mouthy, likes to chew on everything, so rather than distinguish that behavior, I named it. So he now knows how to "pick up the bottle" "hold it" "put your head up/down" "put your ears forward" lots of verbal cues. He shakes, bows, crosses his legs to "do you have to pee?" He is a silly fun boy. He has had so many problems with his hooves, that I had to find things to keep his mind busy, as he was unable to train for actual "horse" things. Now that his feet are stable we are trying to learn how to be a horse/not a big dog!
suz
 |
Shirley Johnson
Member
Username: shirl
Post Number: 613
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, Aug 28, 2008 - 12:53 pm: | |
Suz, That Levi is simply a cute, loveable, adorable ham. I think it's marvelous what you've been able to teach him. That says a lot for both of you. Thanks for sharing.
Shirl |
Ann
Member
Username: dres
Post Number: 1949
Registered: 10-2000
| | Posted on Thursday, Aug 28, 2008 - 2:29 pm: | |
your boy is smokin HOT.. !!! want more fun photos.. how about the legs crossed??? Like a man of course..
On the first day God created horses, on the second day he painted them with spots.. |
Kathy in NM
Member
Username: klowe
Post Number: 55
Registered: 10-2007
| | Posted on Thursday, Aug 28, 2008 - 2:36 pm: | |
How terrific! I am relatively new to horse-owning and I have often wondered why horses aren't more verbally, the way dogs are...I do have a lifetime of dog experience, and while I am fairly relaxed in terms of where/what dogs are allowed to go/do, my dogs do know their basic commands plus a few we created for the current pack, such as "dogs up" & "dogs down" for on or off furniture and "dogs in" or "dogs out" which works for almost anywhere, in or out of doors, rooms, gates, etc. I do talk to my horses a lot, now I will have to start actually working on teaching them particular verbal cues! (I have been looking for an inexpensive sombrero for Paint the paint horse, I am sure he'd love it...also a horse with a sense of humor!)
When you have a Levi calendar, put me on your subscription list! |
