Natural Fly-Repellent Shampoo for Horses
Fly season is rough on horses, and constant chemical sprays get old fast, for you and them. A natural fly-repellent shampoo takes a gentler angle: it cleans the coat while leaving behind botanical oils — citronella, lemongrass, eucalyptus and tea tree — that insects would rather avoid. Ferro's Repel Oil Shampoo is a wash, not a leave-on spray, so here's how it actually fits into your routine.
A Repellent Wash, Used Honestly
Repel Oil Shampoo is a bathing shampoo built around insect-deterring botanical oils. It's the cleansing, coat-conditioning base layer of a fly routine, not a substitute for a leave-on fly spray during peak season. Think of it as sending the horse out clean and less appealing to insects, then topping up with your usual spray wherever you need lasting, all-day cover.
Using It During Fly Season
- Wash with Repel the same way you would any shampoo, working the lather over the whole body.
- Let it sit a couple of minutes so the botanical oils coat the hair fully, then rinse.
- Dry the horse and, in peak season, follow up with your leave-on fly spray for staying power.
- Re-bathe every week or two instead of relying on the wash alone for all-day protection.
Recommended products
Frequently asked questions
Is this a fly spray?
No, it's not. It's a fly-repellent shampoo you wash with and rinse out. It leaves botanical oils on the coat that insects don't care for, but for lasting, all-day cover in peak season you'll still want a leave-on fly spray on top. Check the product page for how it's meant to be used.
How long does the repellent effect last?
Since it's a botanical wash, the effect runs gentler and shorter-lived than a synthetic leave-on spray. It helps keep the horse clean and less appealing to flies day to day, but it's not a stand-in for a dedicated repellent on a genuinely bad day.
Is it safe for horses with sensitive skin?
It's designed to be gentler than chemical sprays, but essential oils can still irritate very reactive skin. Patch-test a small area first, keep it away from broken skin, and steer clear of the eyes and muzzle.
Can I use it as my regular shampoo?
You can bathe with it through fly season, but it's a specialist wash. Outside fly season, most horses do better on a gentle everyday shampoo, with the specialist wash saved for when it's needed.