Gina Fortunato, MBA, shared a recent horse riding experience with disruptive, biting deer flies that aggravated her horse despite fly shields. She shares her experience and some facts about deer flies, including feedback horse owners offered via social media.
Gina (right) and a friend are pictured with their horses.
Source: Gina Fortunato, Animal Health Digest, July 28, 2025. Link.
One online contact shared a DIY approach to bug balls that may help with the cost: either spray a beach ball black or put it in a black garbage bag (that seems easy!), cover it with Tanglefoot and hang it in your pasture or on trails.” – Gina Fortunato
Related: Horse and deer flies: biology and public health risk, Purdue University. Link.
INSIGHTS: The experiences we have as animal health pros are relevant in our daily interactions with colleagues and clients. By sharing and asking questions, we can learn how to improve our animals’ lives.