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Fly Rugs
Fly Rugs offer your horse the protection it needs from flies. Choose from different Weatherbeeta Fly Rugs including Weatherbeeta Saxon, Airflow and Supa-fly. Many styles come with an option of standard neck, detach a neck or combo Fly Rugs.
Fly Rugs
Fly Rugs
Fly rugs - or sometimes known as fly sheets or bug rugs - can be one of the most essential horse rugs to own during the summer months. Fly rugs can help to prevent fly bites whilst your horse is in the field or stable. As well as being a huge annoyance to the horse, these bites can sometimes cause allergic reactions like Sweetitch.
When a horse doesn't wear a fly rug, he can be left open to the threat of Culicoides flies. These prey on certain areas of the horse, such as the ears, poll, mane, withers, rump and tail. Some horses are allergic to the fly's saliva, and without a sweetitch fly rug for protection, these bites can flare up and cause raw sores. Early symptoms of Sweetitch include balding, redness of the skin, inflammation, crusting and sores.
The best time to equip your horse with a fly rug is as early as you can in the spring. Culicoides flies are seasonal and breed in marshy areas. This is usually a constant thing until October, and so the use of fly rugs is essential throughout summer in order to protect your horse from their bites.
Fly rugs are light in weight, consists of a fine mesh or Polyester, and often has a belly flap that connects to both sides of the rug to protect the belly. A fly rug will often come with a neck cover which is detachable, allowing you to choose your level of coverage.
The use of fly rugs will also protect your horse from the affects of the sun. They can help to reduce sunburn on horses with pale and sensitive skin, and can prevent the coat from being bleached. They are breathable and comfortable for your horse to wear, even if it is hot, as they are light in weight and no heavier than a typical lightweight turnout rug. They allow for movement too and don't restrict your horse from its usual activities such as rolling, or even suckling foals. They can also help to keep the coat clean from the dust and dirt from the field.
Fly rugs will cover most of your horse's body, but for the places that you can't cover, such as legs, fly repellents should be used regularly. If you take the necessary precautions during the warmer months then your horse can be free to enjoy his summer without being bothered by flies.
