The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Reader Feedback
Posted by Tamara (Grandin, Florida) on 08/09/2007
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7/20/2007: ej from MIDDLEBORO, MA -- Comment for EJ for her horse problem with the ACV natural fly spray... EJ the problem is not the ACV it is the Skin So Soft. I can't use it on myself either it cause's my skin to burn. This formula has been around for years and the SSS was used because of the B vitimins in it are a deterant to the bugs, along with the nice smell and some people like the oil to add some sheen. I think it just makes the dirt stick worse. I like it all natural so I use the ACV about 16oz to a gallon of water, Neem Oil or Powder (which ever you can find it is a natural bug repelant) and Citrus Oil 1oz to this gallon mixture. I put it in one of those bug sprayers and have used it on my rescue horses for years. Now I am not going to say it works perfect here in FL (there is not cure) I have tried all kinds of sprays from the most toxic that made me sick to this natural formula and it equals them so for me natural is best.
Reader Feedback
Posted by Deb (Brooklyn, Wisconsin) on 07/20/2007
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I mix ACV with Avon Skin So Soft, Citronella and water to make a fly spray for my horses and mini donkeys. Have also tried it on my dogs and it smells great.
Reader Feedback
Posted by Deb (Pleasant Grove, UT) on 09/24/2008
If you are giving the ACV without diluting it then that is your problem. If is some what acidic. _____s is what I use with Mother in it. I consume it, my 14 yr old dog gets it every day and my Arabians. But it must be diluted down for consumption and also for a spray. Try it again but only put a few capfuls to a 1/2 gallon of water. if you think he may be allergic then dilute the same way and do a patch test, just one little spot externally. Never use this full strength.
Reader Feedback
Posted by Leanne (Cambridge, Uk) on 11/16/2010
Hi Stu from Cambridge - working in Oman - Do you have a email I can PM you on. I am going to live in Oman from the UK and looking for some good horse care out there for my horse that I am bringing with me. So far - I haven't found any stables that I think I could trust.
Reader Feedback
Posted by Deb (Wi) on 06/23/2015
What are the amounts of each ingredient you use for the ACV fly spray?
Flies
Posted by Krissy (Plant Cirty, Fl.) on 05/10/2007
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I was absolutely amazed with the results after I started using ACV, pine sol and water as a spray on my horse,I also sprayed it in her stable and the flies are gone, You will still see a few but not near as many as there was,I mixed equal portions of ACV,skin so soft and water and rubbed on her face careful not to get it in her eyes,she tolerated it ok not as good as she normally is,but would you like the smell,the next day you can't hardly smell it at all.Her coat is so shinny and soft .I think I have discovered something,No more expensive fly spray.
Ticks
Posted by Michelle (LaGrange, Ga) on 04/27/2007
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I came to this forum to find a remedy for ticks on my horse. My horse is in a wooded pasture and ticks are a real problem. I give him 1/4 cup in the evening feed and now if I forget, he will get very grumpy. He actually looks for the acv. The flies and ticks are not as bad as they were. I buy acv by the gallon just for him. I will progress as it gets very hot here in the summer.
Flies
Posted by Sarah (Derbyshire, U.K) on 04/26/2007
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hi I've been using acv mixed with cold strong black tea for a couple of years now on my mare as fly spray ,it works a treat no flies round my pony everyone on my yard is always asking to use it its so cheap and cherfull to make and has no chemicals in its brill xx.
Wound Healing
Posted by Constance (Auckland, New Zealand) on 04/03/2007
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About 12 weeks ago my horse stuck her leg through a fence and ended up with a nasty wound on her hock. The vet put staples in it and two weeks later when he took them out the wound started to open up again, athough i bathed it i couldnt seem to keep the infection at bay. I was advised by one of my friends to try bathing it on acv which i did. I would bath it daily and then put Manuka honey on afterwards. in two weeks the infection was gone completely and after for weeks there is now a very thin scar and all the hair has grown back, you would never know how bad the cut has been. I now feed it to all my horses and sprey in on their legs to help keep the flies at bay.
Skin Conditions
Posted by Linda (Winona, MN) on 03/26/2007
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I have a few miniature horses. In the spring when they started to shed, one of them had several areas on his skin that were itchy and and scaley. I took a pail and put Apple Cider Vinegar in it and sponged the areas that were effected. I'm not sure what he had but within a week it was cleared up. The day after doing this, the scaley area started to peel off and under it was clean healthy skin. Within a few days his hair started growing in and now you would never know he had a problem. Usually with horses, if they have an injury to the skin,if the hair grows back it is very noticable. Not in this case. He is beautiful. I use it now with all of them. Just a Tbsp in thier feed daily. It also helps to keep the flies away. I mix ACV,Listerine and water in a spray bottle and once sprayed on, the flies stay away. I love it and there are no bad side effects and it is better for the environment than most commercial fly sprays.
Reader Feedback
Posted by martha (buckley, wash) on 03/05/2007
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AVC for a colicking horse: My friend's horse was colicking so I had her give it some ACV but we didn't know how much to give. Later the vet agreed that ACV helps stimulate the digestion with it's enzymes and said that about 2 cups was the dosage. And that since ACV is natural and safe, you couldn't overdose on it.
Reader Feedback
Posted by Cathy (Delmar, DE) on 02/18/2007
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Just read your article on apple cider vinegar and horses. We have 5 standardbreds in training and I am so pleased to have found something natural to give them for all their little aches and pains and flies. Thank you so much.
Flies
Posted by Melissa (Gonzales, TX) on 12/10/2006
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I have been using ACV on JR this past year and have seen a big difference in using this product then any of those commercial fly sprays. I give him around 1/2 cup per day with 2.5 lbs of grain. I also mix in corn oil around 1/2 cup and this has kept his coat looking shinny and flies to a minimum. Great Stuff!
Wound Healing
Posted by Valerie (Shelbyville, IN)
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My vet had me spray proud flesh on my horse with cider vinegar then pack the wound with ground black pepper. It healed it up in no time with very minimal scarring. I also feed all my horses 1/4 cup [acv] per day to help their digestion and we put it in the goats water to help them with stones and with white muscle disease.
Broad Benefits
Posted by Sharon (Berkshire, England)
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I give my horse acv every day in his feed, he was suspicious of the smell at first by now loves it. I feed it for his arthritis as it flushes out toxins and he definitely moves a lot easier, his coat is also soft and very shiny, his appetite has improved too.
Hoof Thrush
Posted by Kimberly (Charlotte, North Carolina)
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We don't feed ACV to horses, but the ferrier did tell us to spray it on their hooves when they have a flare up of thrush. It dries it right up.
Broad Benefits
Posted by Erika (Eugene, Oregon)
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My 30 year old Tennessee Walker has been on acv for several months now. He is doing great, and eats all his grain at night. It helps with the flies, and he is not bothered by them too much anymore. I use 1/4c on top of his grain and supplements each night. It's great for his coat too!!!
Broad Benefits
Posted by Melanie (Calgary Alberta Canada)
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We give our horses 2 capfuls of acv 3 to 4 times a week in their grain for the past seven years and wouldn't be without it ever. We make sure we buy the unpasteurized kind from the health food dept because it has the active enzymes. It seems to keep their guts clean and moving and a around healthy tonic. ACV is full of potassium and here in alberta I sometimes feel our hay lacks the full amount a horse requires. My girlfriend uses it in a spray bottle and sprays it on sores muscles after a session of cattle penning. We also keep a syringe full of ACV in the barn (without the needle of course) and if a horse colics, I have been told by people at the race track, to shoot the liquid into their mouth to help with the pain. The enzymes apparently stimulate the digestion immediately, hence the bad taste!! I compete with my horse and I would not be without my acv and my liquid garlic (3 drops a day, 3 times a week) to keep a strong immune system.
