Are Zebra/patterned fly rugs better

[poiuytrewq]

I ordered a Amigo fly sheet with a swirly pattern as they are supposed to stop flies landing as much. However the wrong size was sent (ahem... ordered!)
Am waiting for OH to print the returns label as my printer is playing up and have seen basically the same rug second hand but plain white obviously cheaper. Do the printed rugs really protect better?

 

[BBP]

I think so yes, certainly my black horse has fewer horsefly bites and frustration when wearing the zebra print vs white.

 

[poiuytrewq]

Ok I’ll stick with an exchange rather than refund. Thanks

 

[Red-1]

I thought it was a load of rubbish, but needed a new rug and a Shires stripey one was as cheap as a white one, so I got it, and YES, the horseflies do bite a lot less!

 

[tristar]

i think so especially the one with the wide belly cover i think is excellent

and its such fun walking down the road with a giant zebra

 

[poiuytrewq]

If it works I’ll be getting a marker pen out to my other horses plain white ones 😂

 

[Leam_Carrie]

I’ve just bought one, so hope it’s true

 

[Myloubylou]

I have just bought a zebra bucas buzz off rain sheet. Fly spray doesn’t seem to work so hoping is worth the investment. She’ll look cute if nothing else

 

[Caol Ila]

There was a recent study done where they showed flies got confused by horses wearing zebra stripes (and by actual zebras). I'll find the link in a bit.

 

[poiuytrewq]

The one I’ve bought is actually black swirls I think. Hopefully swirls have the same result as stripes! I think it’s to do with the broken colour so figured it should do!

 

[poiuytrewq]

In fact if anyone’s after one it was on offer from GS equine £69.99 which fir an Amigo vamoose is a really good price. It has the older front fastening but I’m not too bothered by that.

 

[Keith_Beef]

There was a recent study done where they showed flies got confused by horses wearing zebra stripes (and by actual zebras). I'll find the link in a bit.

I remember that as a child, we were taught that the zebra's stripes were camouflage to blend in with the tall grass. And then a couple of months ago, I read an article stating that the stripes confused biting flies...

Here's one article about it.

 

[Suechoccy]

Save money - get a permanent marker pen or fabric paint and do your own black swirls or stripes onto an existing white fly rug.

 

[Caol Ila]

Here's the NY Times article on that study: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/20/science/zebra-stripes-flies.html

 

[poiuytrewq]

Nature is so clever sometimes.

 

[JillA]

I think it is especially effective against horse flies who hunt by sight, seeking out big dark shapes. At least, that accounts for why my very dark bay horse is their target in the season above all the others. Not so sure about black flies and midges though?