Farnam Wipe Fly & Tick Protectant for Horses – 32 oz

Description

If you’ve ever watched your horse twitch, stomp, or swish their tail endlessly just trying to escape those relentless summer pests, you know how exhausting and heartbreaking, it can be. Biting flies, gnats, and ticks don’t just irritate; they can lead to skin infections, stress, and weight loss over time. That’s where Farnam Wipe Fly & Tick Protectant for Horses – 32 oz comes into play.

Trusted by generations of horse owners, this powerful yet gentle formula goes beyond surface-level defense. It creates a lasting barrier against flies and ticks, keeping your horse comfortable, focused, and ready to ride, train, or simply enjoy a peaceful afternoon in the pasture.

Key Customer Benefits

• Targeted application, no airborne spray mess: The wipe‑on format lets you precisely apply protection, no overspray drifting into your face, your horse’s eyes or your tack. Just dampen a cloth or mitt and rub it in where it’s needed. Especially ideal for horses who hate aerosol blasts and for riders who want full control around sensitive areas.
• Broad‑spectrum, long‑lasting pest control: Farnam Wipe both kills and repels over half a dozen flying insects, think horse, stable, deer and face flies, gnats, mosquitoes, and also works on ticks. Many folks get six to eight hours of soothing, insect‑free time after each application.
• Decades of proven trust: Horse owners have leaned on Wipe for over 40 years. That’s real experience, and real peace of mind, that says this formula simply works season after season.
• Coat care plus pest protection: The lightly oily formula doubles as a coat conditioner. As you rub it in you’ll be loosening dirt and dandruff, and after a brush‑out your horse gleams. No sticky residue, just a glossy show‑and‑go shine.
• Stretch your buck: A quart bottle by label treats a full‑sized horse up to 16 times and you can reuse the same cloth afterward to refresh between applications or share it across a pony.
• Drama‑free for sensitive horses: Because it’s a wipe, not a spray, there’s no fast‑moving vapors or loud bursts. A big relief if your horse flinches at wind, blowers or spray bottles; just calm, confident grooming.
• Real‑life ease, fast comfort: Folks tell us their horses visibly relax after Wipe, ears settle, tail swishes calm down, and both horse and rider can finally enjoy quiet pasture time or a peaceful trail ride. Plus, it smells clean, not overpowering chemical, so application is more pleasant.

Product Description

If you’ve ever felt powerless watching your horse battle relentless flies and ticks all down their neck or belly, Farnam Wipe Original Formula Fly and Tick Protectant has your back and your stall. This quart‑sized ready‑to‑use bottle delivers a thick, oil‑based solution you apply by hand, cloth or mitt, sweeping it into the coat along the grain of the hair. It’s not a quick spritz but a slow, steady rub that coats the hair and traps pests before they can bite and when they land, they don’t stick around long. In short: you’re in control of where protection goes, with no spray drifting into your face or stinging your horse’s eyes.

Once on, the science kicks in. Farnam Wipe features a proven blend of pyrethrins (0.2 %), piperonyl butoxide (0.5 %), a tiny amount of di‑n‑propyl isocinchomeronate (1 %), and butoxypolypropylene glycol (20 %) in an easy‑spread carrier. Pyrethrins disrupt the insects’ nervous system; piperonyl butoxide enhances knockdown speed; the oil lets the formula cling to hair so the kill‑repel action stays longer, often six to eight hours or more.

What really sets this apart isn’t just the chemistry; it’s how it fits into real-life barn life: vineyards, trail rides, backyard pastures. Over the past 40 years, generations of horse owners have relied on it, and today’s label still lists EPA Registration No. 270‑37. A single quart bottle typically covers a full‑size horse for 16 or more applications—so one bottle can support a whole herd through early summer. It also loosens dandruff and dirt from your horse’s coat, leaving it glossy once groomed out.

Just yesterday I was chatting with a riding school owner who swears by it. Her Arabian mare “Bella” used to flick flies with each step, even when not moving much in her stall, until Farnam Wipe was introduced. After a few days of application, Bella started grazing quietly instead, ears forward, tail soft by evening. That taught me how much peace this product can bring, not just to your horse, but to your entire routine.

On reviews, owners say things like:

“My horse has skin allergies and this is the main repellant that works and does not bother her skin.”
“Wipe is the only fly repellent that somewhat does what it is supposed to do, repel flies!”

Product Specifications

Specification	Details
Size / Container	32 fl oz (1 quart) of ready‑to‑use oil‑based liquid
Active Ingredients	Pyrethrins – 0.20%, Piperonyl Butoxide Technical – 0.50% (≈ 0.40% butylcarbityl ether + 0.10% related compounds, Di‑n‑propyl Isocinchomeronate – 1.00%, Oil of Citronella – 2.00%, Butoxypolypropylene Glycol – 20.00%, Inert ingredients – ~76.30%
EPA Registration	No. 270‑37, approved for equine fly and tick control
EPA Establishment	Est. No. 2724‑TX‑1 (manufacturing site)
Coverage / Yield	Use ~1 oz for a pony, ~2 oz for full-size horse per daily use. One quart provides ~16 full‑horse applications at 2 oz ea.
Form / Scent	Pale yellow, light citronella; pH ~5.2; dynamic viscosity <10 cP (easy but not greasy)
Storage & Shelf Life	Store in cool, well-ventilated area; keep locked up; avoid extreme heat or open flame; shelf life ~2+ years if sealed well
Safety Requirements	– Wear gloves and eye protection when handling. – Avoid contact with eyes, mouth, open wounds.- Wash hands and clothing after use.- Usable only on horses/ponies (not foals under 12 weeks, not for slaughter-bound animals).
Special Notices	Toxic to bees if applied to blooming forage; do not apply near water sources; flammable liquid, keep away from sparks and open flame.

 

How to Use/Application Guide

1. Gather Your Supplies

• 32 oz Farnam Wipe bottle, shaken thoroughly (contents can settle over time, so mix well after storage)
• A piece of Turkish toweling (roughly 12″ × 15″) or a grooming mitt, do not skip this; only these materials spread the formula correctly and deliver consistent coverage.
• A well-ventilated, insect-reduced spot, early morning works best so dew and wind won’t interfere. Label instructions note that morning applications maximize effectiveness before flies awaken in earnest.

2. Prep Your Horse

1. Begin with a thorough grooming: brush off dirt and loose hair so the Wipe solution can bind directly to the coat. That brushing step makes a surprising difference in how long it lasts.
2. If your horse has dried sweat, caked mud or dandruff, a damp spare towel rinse can help; just let the coat dry before starting.

3. Moisten, Don’t Soak

1. Fold your cloth or mitt and moisten it evenly with Farnam Wipe. It should feel damp, not dripping. Too much product just ends up rinsed off or rubbed into bedding instead of coating hair where it repels insects.
2. Store the mitt in an airtight container or bag between uses to keep it breathable and moist for the next round of application (label calls this out as critical for consistent coverage).

4. Application: Small Sections, Big Gains

1. Rub briskly but gently with the cloth, moving against the hair growth, not along it. This lays a coating on each hair shaft.
2. Target high-fly zones; neck, shoulders, withers, flanks, shanks, and legs, especially areas your horse tends to stomp, twitch, or rub when flies swarm.
3. Apply about 1 oz for a pony, 2 oz for a full-sized horse per session, adjusting down slightly over time if your horse builds up a daily level of coat protection (yes, daily use often adds up to less product needed over time)
4. Go slow around delicate zones: apply sparingly near the ears and completely avoid eyes, nostrils, mouths or open wounds.

5. Tackling Ticks

If you spot an attached tick, don’t pick or pull. Just saturate a clean (separate) cloth with Wipe and press it firmly over the tick for 10–20 seconds. The formula kills on contact. In your case, I always name it the “tick swatter technique.” One cloth, zero pinching.

6. Final Groom and Clean-Up

1. Once every section is applied, follow with a soft brush; this clears excess dust or dandruff and finishes the shine.
2. Wash your hands thoroughly afterward (product label reminds you to wash before eating, drinking or smoking)
3. Securely store the bottle upside up in a cool, dry place; no flammable heat or open flame nearby.

7. Routine Tips & Timing

• Consistency is key: Morning applications are recommended because flies and gnats creep in mid-afternoon. You’re giving the product full hours to work ahead of peak bug time.
• Adjust volume: If your horse stays calm with fewer flies each day, try using slightly less (for example, cut down from 2 oz to 1.5 oz). The label says resistance buildup isn’t a worry; just spread coverage over time.
• Clean coat means longer protection: That shine from brushing isn’t just for looks; it helps the oily base adhere better, so insects don’t perch as easily.
• Never run the cloth under a tap; keep it moist from the bottle itself. Water dilutes the ingredients. Always reuse with Farnam Wipe solution or toss if dry or grimy.

8. Bug Control Days Ahead

• After a full week of daily use, or exposure to lots of biting insects, evaluate your horse. If tail switches and itchy faces return, repeat the regimen.
• Alternate relief options: On sweltering days or long trail rides, wiping every 4–6 hours can be worth the peace of mind.

FAQ

1. How long does one application of Farnam Wipe actually keep flies away?

On paper, Farnam notes the wipe‑on formula lasts for hours against flies, gnats, mosquitoes and even ticks. In ideal dry conditions, cool mornings or well-kept stables, that usually means 6 to 8 hours of solid protection. One happy buyer on Amazon sums it up:

“Product last several days on my horses as long as no rain or excess sweating”.

But a user on Horse Forum put it another way:

“An oil based fly wipe… still only really effective for maybe an hour” .

What gives? Real life is messy, heat, perspiration, roaming in tall hay or loose dust will reduce longevity. My experience as a barn manager is this: if flies return before you expect, wipe again. Daily use builds up residue on hair shafts and often that means you actually need less product the next time.

Tip: Plan your wipe routine around your horse’s daily schedule, early morning application is ideal. A short re‑wipe mid‑day (say tail and fetlock zones) can make all the difference if you’re riding.

2. Will Farnam Wipe kill ticks, even if one is already attached?

Yes, it’s designed to do that. The official label says:

“To kill attached ticks, dab Wipe Original Formula directly on the tick with a saturated cloth”.

In practical barn-talk, this is your “tick‑swatter technique”: saturate a fresh Turkish towel or mitt and gently press onto the tick for 10–20 seconds before rubbing it away, don’t pull. On my farm, that move has quelled more than a few breakouts of lyme anxiety later (and tick removal anxiety too).

3. Is it safe for horses with sensitive skin or a history of allergic reactions?

Caution is smart here. The national veterinary guidelines remind us:

“Some animals may be sensitive to ingredients such as pyrethrins… reactions may include itchiness, rash or hair loss at the site”.

One equestrian shared this warning:

“My horse has developed an allergy to two different Farnam products (Bronco Gold & the Wipe one)”.

What I recommend:

• Do a spot‑test on the chest or inner flank and re-check after 24 hours.
• Skip any product with Piperonyl Butoxide or citronella if those caused prior reactions.
• If minor irritation happens, rinse immediately with mild shampoo and monitor.
• Use a fly mask and fine mesh gloves or fly sheets to reduce pressure on real bugs while testing.

Most horses handle it fine, but better to test once than heal four times.

4. Can I pour it into a spray bottle instead of using the wipe?

You can, but it’s technically off‑label use. As one user said:

“Despite this being labeled as a ‘wipe‑on’, I poured it in a bottle and used it as a spray”.

That said, spraying works less efficiently; you’ll waste product, may end up with oily streaks, and lose the “rub‑against‑the‑hair” effect that the wipe method uses to layer protection where insects land.

If your horse resists the mitt, a compromise is the “spray on mitt” method: spray onto the mitt rather than horse, then wipe on cloth. Better control, no overspray into bedding or stall.

5. Will it leave my horse’s coat greasy or collect grime?

Yes, if you over‑apply. That oil base helps the active ingredients stay put, but it also attracts dust and can make the coat feel heavy. A user on Horse Forum described it plainly:

“Tritek… is longer lasting, but leaves horses oily and dust sticks to them”.

To avoid that:

• Brush your horse already clean before wiping.
• After 10 – 20 minutes, lightly buff the areas with a soft brush to remove excess residue; this restores the shine.
• Avoid heavy use on wind-whipped or dusty trails unless your ending task is baths.

6. How do I keep the wipe applicator cloth moist and fresh between uses?

Simple barn magic:

• Fold your Turkish towel or grooming mitt, moisten it (not soaking) with Wipe, then store it in a zip‑seal bag or airtight container.
• Press out some excess air so it stays damp but not soggy.
• Label instructions, and my stabling guru friends, say this is crucial for consistent, even application and avoiding wasted Wipe when dry spots appear.

If the cloth starts to smell musty or is coated in buildup, replace it to avoid rubbing irritants or bacteria into your horse’s skin.

7. Is Farnam Wipe safe for foals or pregnant mares?

Use only with care. The label states it’s not for use on horses intended for slaughter and not formulated for foals under 12 weeks old. FDA guidelines on pyrethrin products echo this precaution for young foals.

• For pregnant or nursing mares, consult your vet before starting, especially during foaling season.
• Save major fly exposure for day 15+ post-foaling unless your vet says otherwise.
• For foals under 12 weeks, consider a fly sheet and vet-approved wipes that are oil‑free.

Conclusion

By now you’ve seen that Farnam Wipe Original Formula Fly and Tick Protectant for Horses, 32 oz, checks every box: precision application, proven pest protection, coat care, and peace of mind. This is the product that barn managers and riding instructors still rely on after more than 40 years of equine defense experience ;  it really works and lasts when applied as directed.

The oil-based blend featuring pyrethrins (0.20 %), piperonyl butoxide (0.50 %), di-n-propyl isocinchomeronate (1.00 %), and butoxypolypropylene glycol (20 %) offers knockdown and residual action that you can feel in real barn life, not just lab testing. The EPA-registered formula (#270-37) is approved to kill and repel flies, mosquitoes, gnats, and even ticks on contact when used correctly.

Two things matter most: how well it works and how it makes your daily barn routine easier. The wipe-on texture means less mess, more control, and an easy way to groom with purpose. So whether you’re prepping for a saddle-up or winding down after turnout, a quick application gives your horse hours of relief and you more time to enjoy, horses prefer your touch over frantic swatting.