If memory serves, I used this some years ago as insect repellant rather than the usual types bought at farm supply stores. Anyone else use this? I've ordered some from Avon. Seems like I have to use a different kind every year. what works really well one year, doesn't work the next. Cheap brands don't work at all. I don't want to feed garlic supplements, have not heard all good about that option.

Garlic works great for tick control - not so much for fly control.

I used Skin-so-soft once, many years ago, in a fly spray recipe.  It cost me a huge vet bill as my inky blue-black horse developed huge hives every place I sprayed her.

The majority of horses don't seem to have a reaction to Skin-So-Soft but once you get your recipe, do a test patch on the horse first to be safe:)

 I never used it in a "recipe." It's likely that combing different ingredientscould make it a skin irritant. I just used it "as is."

 last year i used absorbine ultra ex.  it was excellent.  although it said it works up to 17 days, it didn't do that.  it does last a few days though. 

i remember using skin so soft about 20 years ago.  i don't recall being that impressed with it.  but the horses smelled nice =^)

Gailforce:

 last year i used absorbine ultra ex.  it was excellent.  although it said it works up to 17 days, it didn't do that.  it does last a few days though. 

i remember using skin so soft about 20 years ago.  i don't recall being that impressed with it.  but the horses smelled nice =^)

I'll have to try the Absorbine Unltra Ex as the warm weather wears on since what works now, won't work later:(

For now Zonk is working great for me but I don't have a big fly issue yet --- ticks are my main concern at the moment.

It was around 25 years ago when I first heard of SSS as part of homemade recipes.  Since it cost me a vet bill, I wasn't impressed either but yes, my horse sure smelled nice - lol

"20 years ago" ---- "25 years ago"  that doesn't seem possible.  Where-oh-where has the time gone??

 I have also heard tha skin so soft works wellas a repellent for flies. And yes garlic is a good tick repellent. Why not put the garlic in the food and not use a supplement?? Just mix it in with their grain.

I have also heard that skin so soft works well as a repellent for flies. But I didn't know you needed to change it every year. Also garlic is a great tick repellent. I came from tick country and I use it all the time and never had a problem with ticks. 

 I also have heard that skin so soft is a good repellent for flies. I didn't know that you needed to change it every year. Thanks for the info. 

Here's a link that has all kinds of recipes for homemade fly repellant. I've used a few of them myself but I have yet to find anything that works after you have a sweaty horse and go riding in the woods where the deer flys are rampant. I've been chased out of the woods numerous times because those things are relentless and bite the heck out of my horse.

http://www.moniteausaddleclub.com/flyspray_recipes.htm

 What about using some flies traps? Traps would work around the barn or stall.

 I've just tried it - straight Skin so Soft.

Plusses: it does repel flies and bugs. It smells good. Is non toxic. You can get it on your skin and no irrituation. You can spray some on yourself as a fly repellant (Avon also makes a human bug repellant with SSS in it).

Minuses: it is oily so beads up with sweat. but still keeps  the flies off. After a ride (including a bath or hosing off) my horses will still roll so  the SSS (or fly repellant) is a temporary solution for riding. Might be pricey compared to some fly repellants.

 i just saw a product by off.  it was a small plastic thing that hangs on your belt loop of wherever.  i wonder if that would work for the horses.  hang it on the saddle while your riding maybe.  it's a bit big to attach to halter for bridle, but, you could i guess.  anyway, said it lasts up to 11 hours.  i might give it a try.