The Wonders of Dettol

Due to all the bad weather we've been having, I failed to stick to my golden rule of summer: Always have Dettol on hand, and don't forget to use it! I won't share with you the footage of the two very nasty horse fly bites I received, because I don't want to put you all through it. If any of you have ever been bitten, then you know how much it hurts. If you haven't been bitten, then you want to avoid it if you can!

There are many different fly sprays on the market, but diluting Dettol can be brilliant! I normally put a capful in a 1 litre spray bottle and fill the rest with water. It doesn't last as long as some normal fly sprays but is ideal for an extra boost in the field or before you go out for a ride. It is apparently also good for horses with sweet itch as it keeps everything clean too!

Before I go out for a ride, however, I don't just spray the horse. Yes, I spray myself. Everywhere. I do, from time to time, get some funny looks, but they won't be laughing when I don't get bitten and they do! Dettol has the advantage of smelling clean and fresh, and not like you have had a bath in your horse's fly spray! It is also rather refreshing on a hot day, and in the last 5 years of doing this, I have not been bitten. Until I forgot...

I managed to get bitten twice on the same day, centimeters apart so it looked more like a snake bite! My leg has gone through varying shades of red to what appeared to be black and purple bruising. That will teach me not to forget my Dettol!