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trouble just waiting for the right moment. Algiers used to always get things caught in his tail. Once, a barn manager found him freaking out in his paddock, beating himself with a bramble caught in his tail every time he swished at flies. Another time, he managed to pick up a fly spray bottle with his tail -- total meltdown in the aisle. 
Somehow we always manage to get through it. Dahli, bless her heart, has learned to trust that I will free her from whatever mess she's gotten herself into. 
and there always will be another one...
I love horses and always wanted one. Fortunately there are a lot of them around here to look at and I don't have all the work.
the occasional near heart failure when one or another gets into some kind of trouble or other. And one or another always manages to get into trouble, no matter how much you trouble-proof your place. There is nothing as fun (gaaah!) as trying to rescue a panicked, thousand or so pound, critter!
Even though I was cussing a blue streak and running around, these days there is a part of me that stands apart and watches it all with some detachment.
That part of me was cooly assessing the situ, remembering that I haven't bought her winter hay yet so if she broke her neck I could afford to bury her, and wishing this was all on video because I was sure it would all work out ok and it really was funny (and impressive) to watch her trying to kick that thing off of her only to get bopped right back for her trouble. She can be such an evil little alpha witch that I sometimes am grateful to see life give her some of her own 
Not to mention she is always so grateful (for a few seconds) after I set her free from whatever...
Have you ever used one?
Also, they had roll on fly stick to put around horses' eyes. Do you ever do that?
Also, we would spray them daily with fly spray, especially in the summer. I don't know if that is still done.
It was disgusting, but effective!
She's a Jack Russell who once she's set her terrier mind to something is relentless about it. If I put the fly traps up high, I couldn't reach them to tend them (and they require some maintenance), too low and she'd happily leap up and knock it down, then proceed to kick it around to open the foul mess.
Gah!
I seem to recall having to empty them out from time to time ... I think I'd blocked those memories until now. 
since your horses are already dressed in fly gear...
I've had excellent luck with fly predators. They're a small bee that eats fly larvae. You "sprinkle" them all around your property in high waste areas like a manure pile, run in shed etc. all natural and they really work if you follow the protocol.
https://www.spalding-labs.com/products/fly_control_products/fly_control_for_horses/p/what_are_fly_predators.aspx
Here's another tip I've found that works - put @ 10 pennies in a zip lock Baggie. Add about 2 inches of water. Zip it closed and hang it in doorways with a thumbtack.
The shiny reflective water and the copper pennies deter the flies from crossing the threshold. I've got one in every barn doorway, feed room doorway, tack room doorway, viewing room etc etc.
Other than fly spray which I have dubious feelings about, I got nothing. The flies here in N IL are tolerable - it's the Mosquitos that are making the horses (and humans) nuts since we had so much rain in May, June and July.
Take care and remember at least it's not snow!!!
