Do/Can fly rugs make horses worse with the flies

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catherine22

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2 of my horse’s have fly rugs on, one 24/7 and the other most of the time, both of them their masks 24/7
The 3rd one I was going to get a fly rug however she doesn’t seem too bothered about them (she has a mask) whereas my gelding who has his rug on all the time, otherwise he’ll spend his day charging around the field to get away from them can’t seem to cope with them at all – he hates them and is a nightmare even when ridden
Now could the rug be making him worse when a fly does land on him as he is not used to it or am I looking into this way too much?!!
 
I think you may be looking into it too much! My tb has a fly rug when the flies are very bad, he is very 'thin skinned' and feels anythign that lands on him. The two natives however, can be covered in flies and not really notice. Also, I don;t know if the flies bite the TB more, or if he reacts more than the natives, but he gets lumps and swellings from bites and the natives never do!
 
The flies are driving my two mad and when i put a fly fringe on them they took eachothers off (they get on too well!) so i cant imagine masks being any better.

Ive just sprayed them with repellant, sponged a little bit in the middle of their face and left them to it. They seem to be much happier now.
 
One of mine took her fly rug off. Goodness knows how she did it, but she always has been very independent.

I don't use fly masks having heard of several nasty accidents due to thorns getting stuck in the mesh and causing eye injuries. Also heard the other day of a pony about to have its eye removed after an insect got inside and bit it several times on the eye.
 
I think you're looking into it too much. When it comes to flies I've always looked at it as being certain breeds will react to them in certain ways.
My mum's TB is particularly bad with the flies and has his rug and mask on quite often, however my cob-type doesn't even have a rug and is perfectly fine with just his mask.

Of course the irritated young TB will then start pestering my poor boy, just because he's being irritated by them :rolleyes:
 
All my natives have a rug/mask depending on how many flies are about, also make sure shade is available.

Yesterday the flies were out in force, all my boys were covered up, they were very relaxed, grazing happily.

Pony in next field was going ballistic, dripping in sweat, he was in a tiny paddock, no shade, or fly protection, I really thought he might hurt himself. Wasn't a thing I could do as owner had been up to check him and left him like that.
 
I've always thought that the material etc was wrong. Always worried about rain getting through and then cooking horse from beneath the plastic. No basis for this - just don't like them. I can't understand why you wouldnt just use a breathable lightweight sheet.
 
the problem i have with fly rugs is that the one i have for my chestnut boy gets really static!! poor lad can't stand the crackling when i pull it off so now i don't bother using it! he won't wear a fly mask so just gets sprayed, he does react with lumps tho when he gets bitten.
 
Mine hate flies and seem really sensitive to them, they come into the stables all day and that suits them, they hate being left out, always at the gate wanting to come in, one of them has a real problem with all sorts of flies and they seem to gravitate towards her, poor love.
I do use fly rugs but only when I have to, and also equilibrium fly masks, they don't have the fly masks on overnight though.

I wouldn't be too keen on using fly rugs all the time and leaving them out, that doesn't work for mine.
 
This is half my battle with him, he won't come in as is happy out as long as he has his rug and mask on, however, now when I take it off to ride, somedays you'd think the flies had red hot pokers for feet!
 
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