Horse Flea & Tick Prevention in Atlantic Canada
Protect Your Horse at Home, on the Trail & at Horse Shows 

Practical Tips to Keep Your Horse Comfortable All Season Long 

Warmer weather means more time in the saddle—but it also brings one of the biggest challenges for horse owners across Atlantic Canada: flea, tick, and insect season. 

Whether your horse spends the summer grazing at home, competing on the show circuit, trail riding through wooded areas, or travelling to clinics and events, protecting them from parasites should be part of your regular management routine. 

While ticks receive much attention due to their ability to spread disease, other biting insects can also cause irritation, stress, skin infections, and reduced comfort. Fortunately, a proactive prevention plan can help keep your horse healthy and comfortable all season long. 

At Feeds’n Needs, we carry a wide selection of equine fly sprays, fly masks, fly sheets, grooming supplies, barn insect control products, and pasture essentials to help horse owners stay ahead of the season. 

 

Why Flea & Tick Prevention Matters 

Although fleas are uncommon in healthy adult horses, they can occasionally become an issue in barns where horses share space with dogs, cats, or other livestock. Ticks, however, are becoming increasingly common throughout Atlantic Canada and are regularly found on horses grazing near wooded areas or travelling to shows and trail systems. 

Ticks commonly attach around: 

• Under the mane
• Between the hind legs 
• Around the tail head 
• Under the jaw 
• Inside the ears 
• Between the front legs 
• Along the chest and shoulders
  A quick daily inspection often catches ticks before they become a bigger problem. 

 

Signs Your Horse May Have Parasites
Watch for: 

• Excessive rubbing or scratching 
• Hair loss 
• Skin irritation 
• Scabs or sores 
• Swelling around tick attachment sites 
• Tail rubbing 
• Unexplained sensitivity while grooming
  Early detection makes treatment much easier. 

 

Build a Daily Prevention Routine
The best parasite control starts with consistency. 

Groom Every Day: Regular grooming isn’t just about keeping your horse looking their best.
Use curry combs and brushes to: 

• Check for attached ticks 
• Remove dirt and loose hair 
• Spot cuts or irritated skin early 
• Detect unusual swelling
  Pay special attention after rides through wooded trails or long grass. 

 

Use Fly Spray Consistently
Don’t wait until the insects are unbearable.
Apply an equine-approved fly spray before: 

• Turnout 
• Trail rides 
• Lessons 
• Horse shows 
• Clinics 
• Camping trips
  Reapply according to label directions, especially after heavy sweating or bathing. 

Feeds’n Needs carries trusted fly sprays designed to help repel flies, mosquitoes, ticks, and other biting insects throughout the summer. 

 

Dress for Protection
During peak insect activity, consider adding: 

• Fly masks 
• Fly sheets 
• Fly boots 
• Ear covers
  These products help reduce bites while allowing your horse to stay comfortable in turnout. 

 

Pasture Management Makes a Difference
Many horse owners focus only on treating the horse—but reducing insect habitat is just as important. 

Keep Grass Managed: Ticks thrive in tall grass and brush.
Regular mowing around: 

• Gates 
• Fence lines 
• Water troughs 
• Riding rings 
• Laneways
  …helps reduce hiding places. 

 

Rotate Pastures
Pasture rotation benefits more than grass health.

Moving horses between paddocks: 

• Reduces parasite pressure 
• Prevents overgrazing 
• Encourages healthier forage 
• Helps break insect life cycles
  Healthy pasture equals healthier horses. 

 

Eliminate Standing Water
Mosquitoes breed quickly in standing water. 

Check regularly for: 

• Buckets 
• Old tires 
• Wheelbarrows 
• Water trough overflow 
• Low wet areas
  Dump or drain water whenever possible. 

 

Stable Tips for Reducing Pests
A clean barn naturally discourages insects. 

Focus on: 

• Picking stalls daily 
• Removing manure frequently 
• Replacing wet bedding 
• Improving airflow 
• Keeping feed rooms clean 
• Repairing broken screens and doors 
• Controlling rodents 

Cleaner barns mean fewer insects looking for places to breed. 

 

Don’t Forget Your Horse Trailer
Horse trailers can easily become overlooked hiding places for insects. 

Between shows and events: 

• Remove all used bedding 
• Sweep thoroughly 
• Wash floors regularly 
• Allow the trailer to dry completely 
• Leave vents open during storage when possible 
• Store with clean rubber mats 
• Inspect corners for insects or rodents 

Keeping your trailer clean reduces unwanted hitchhikers before your next trip. 

 

Horse Shows & Clinics: Extra Prevention Tips
Travelling exposes your horse to new environments and new insect populations. 

Before leaving home: 

• Pack fly spray 
• Bring an extra fly mask 
• Clean grooming equipment 
• Bring fresh water buckets 
• Pack disinfectant spray 
• Wash saddle pads between shows 
• Inspect your horse before loading and after unloading 

When stabling overnight: 

• Remove manure often 
• Avoid leaving feed exposed 
• Keep stalls dry 
• Close feed containers securely 
• Check your horse morning and evening for ticks
  A little extra attention during busy weekends can prevent problems later. 

 

Products You’ll Find at Feeds’n Needs
Preparing for insect season starts with the right supplies. 

Visit your local Feeds’n Needs for: 

• Fly & Tick Prevention 
• Equine fly sprays 
• Fly repellents 
• Fly masks 
• Fly sheets 
• Fly boots 
• Stable Essentials 
• Stall bedding 
• Stall deodorizers 
• Barn insect sprays 
• Fly traps 
• Manure forks 
• Grooming supplies 
• Pasture & Farm Supplies 
• Fence repair products 
• Grass seed 
• Lawn and pasture maintenance products 
• Water buckets 
• Mineral and salt products 

Our knowledgeable staff can help you choose products suited to your horse’s workload, turnout schedule, and living environment. 

 

A Comfortable Horse Is a Happier Horse 

Keeping insects under control isn’t just about comfort—it supports your horse’s overall health, performance, and well-being. 

Whether you’re preparing for weekend horse shows, heading out on the trails, or simply enjoying evenings at the barn, a little prevention goes a long way. 

With regular grooming, smart pasture management, clean stalls, trailer maintenance, and the right equine products, you can help your horse stay comfortable all summer long. 

Stop by your local Feeds’n Needs location for everything you need to tackle fly, flea, and tick season. Our team is always happy to help you find the right products for your horse and your farm.