NAF Off Citronella Fly Spray Review

First Impressions

NAF Off Citronella is one of those products that’s been quietly recommended in equestrian circles for years. It’s not flashy, the packaging is no-nonsense, and the price is refreshingly reasonable. But does it actually work? After an entire summer of testing, I can confidently say: yes, it really does.

The spray comes in a 750ml bottle with a trigger mechanism. The scent is citronella-based — pleasant, fresh, and noticeably less chemical-smelling than some of the DEET-heavy alternatives. My horse, who typically pins his ears at anything coming near him in a spray bottle, tolerated this one surprisingly well.

How We Tested

I used this spray daily for eight weeks during peak fly season (June through August) on my TB, who lives out during the day. Application was always in the morning before turnout, sprayed generously across the body, legs, and around the ears and face using a cloth. I compared effectiveness against our usual fly rug and against periods with no spray at all.

Effectiveness

The results were impressive. On most days, the spray kept flies noticeably at bay for a solid 6–8 hours. My horse was visibly less agitated in the field — less stamping, less tail-swishing, and fewer of those dramatic head-shakes that tell you the flies are winning. By late afternoon the effect did start to fade, but by that point he was usually coming in anyway.

On particularly humid days with heavy fly pressure, the protection window shortened to around 4–5 hours. Still decent, but if your horse is out all day in those conditions, a midday top-up would help.

One thing I really noticed was the coat condition. After a week of daily use, his coat had a genuine shine to it. The citronella seems to condition as well as protect, which is a nice bonus you don’t get with most sprays.

Application & Practicality

The trigger spray works well for the most part. It gives a fine, even mist that covers well without wasting product. The one downside is that if you leave the bottle unused for a few days, the trigger mechanism can clog slightly. A quick rinse under warm water sorts it out, but it’s a minor annoyance.

For the face and ears, I spray onto a cloth and wipe on — the scent is mild enough that even my sensitive horse doesn’t object. A full-body application uses a reasonable amount of product; I got through roughly one bottle every 3–4 weeks with daily use.

Value for Money

At £14.99 for 750ml, this is excellent value. Over the eight-week test, I used approximately two and a half bottles — so about £37 for an entire summer of protection. Compare that to premium brands charging £20+ per bottle and lasting the same time, and NAF Off Citronella is a clear winner on value.

Final Thoughts

NAF Off Citronella does exactly what a good fly spray should: it keeps flies away for a meaningful amount of time, it’s pleasant to use, it doesn’t irritate the horse, and it won’t break the bank. The coat-conditioning effect is a genuine bonus. The only minor gripe is the trigger clogging, but that’s a packaging issue rather than a product one. This is now my go-to fly spray and I can’t see that changing anytime soon.