Reduce stable flies by removing muck and standing water, using fly traps and screens, keeping feed covered, running a fan for airflow, and applying repellent. Cutting breeding sites matters most of all.
Remove the breeding sites
Flies breed in muck and damp bedding, so the biggest win is good hygiene. Muck out daily, remove wet bedding, and keep the muck heap well away from the stable. Fewer breeding sites near the stable means far fewer flies inside it.
Manage water and feed
Standing water and spilled feed attract flies. Scrub and refresh water buckets, clear up dropped feed, and store feed in sealed bins. Keeping the stable and feed room clean and dry removes much of what draws flies in.
Use traps, screens and fans
Fly traps around the yard, screens or strip curtains over doorways, and a fan to keep air moving all cut the number of flies bothering a stabled horse. Flies dislike moving air, so a fan both cools the horse and keeps flies off.
Protect the horse
Even with good management, some flies get in, so protect the horse with a fly mask and a suitable repellent on the body. This is especially important for horses stabled during the day to escape flies at pasture.
Time turnout around flies
If flies are worse at certain times, adjust when the horse is in or out. Some owners stable during the hottest, fly-heavy part of the day and turn out in the cooler evening. Combining timing with hygiene and protection keeps flies to a minimum.
