Do fly rugs really work?

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happihorse

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The flies (and especially horse flies) seem really bad this year and my horse often has to go out in the evening so they are really annoying (and biting) him.

I use fly spray but it only seems to have a limited affect.

I have never used a fly rug before and was wondering if they really work. Do flies still get underneath then and then can't escape? Do they rub the horses mane (ie the ones with a neck in)? Do flies still bite them through the fly rug? Do horses sweat up in fly rugs?

Sorry for so many questions but I want to make sure they work before I buy one!
 
Ive used one for years mainly to stop the coat from bleaching in the sun, we do a lot of showing, also had a horse with sweetitch, the one we have at the moment (name escapes me) is proving to be very good, covers the underbelly and has a full neck with a silky type lining that dont rub the mane also is white which will reflect the sun a little, but I always bring in during the day, and turn out about 6pm she wares it during the night, I dont like fly masks, heard of a few storys where the flys / wasps got under the masks and of horses panicking, horse very rarely gets fly bites.
 
My tb can't stay still due to the flies without her fly rug. Its a full neck amigo one and it doesn't rub her mane. Obviously I can't comment on other brands.
They can sweat up in them although as tb runs around like a loon when she doesn't have the rug on its 6 and two 3's for me as far as sweating is concerned. The flies still bite their bellies so if your horse is sensitive then its worth putting thickish fly cream on their belly- I avoid the girth area though.
I also spray the rug with homemade fly spray which keeps them off the rug. Both my girls have a mild reaction to the spray on their skin though so it is ideal to just put on the rug.
 
My grumpy bad tempered,horse has a list as long as your arm of things he hates.Flies and rugs are both near the top.
He becomes completely obsessed and difficult to ride when flies are about.As for rugs ,teeth and hooves are a normal risk when rugging up. The exeption is his fly rug.He absolutely loves it.Its not becouse he associates it with going out.He will happyly drag his turnout rug off the door and jump on it.
As for his fly mask .Mr 10 minutes to get a bridle on practicly tries to put it on himself.
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This is the first time I have ever used a fly rug and mask but I am totally converted to them now.
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I don't see how most of them CAN work, when you think how flipping easily horse flies bite straight through quite thick jods. But I bought a Rambo Bug Blaster (something like that) which is a heavyish sort of metallic mesh that is impregnated with an insecticide and it's a godsend. I think a couple of other rug mfrs now produce a fly rug impregnated with insecticide,
 
My horses have the Derby House Tego Combo rugs on with masks, for some unknown reason we don't seem to have many flies around this year and my horses have got no eggs on them at all, and all our fields have a ditch along one side and we have 3 ponds as well. I am my liveries do feed garlic to our horses, either that or we are just lucky this year in Essex that we aren't getting many flies.
 
I also have the full-neck Amigo one, it doesn't rub his mane and seems to be working well: my horse can stay out all day.
It's also relatively inexpensive so you could try with that one (I think it's less than £30?).
However, I still spray him on those areas that are not covered by the rug (especially behind the poll/top of the neck, if you know what I mean):
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As for the fly mask, my other horse literally asks for it!
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I don't think flies can really get trapped underneath the rug/mask, after all when you put it on they fly off (because they see your hands coming)... I don't know, it's never happened to me
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one of mine is in the amigo one too. no flies, no scratching (she's got sweet itch), and she stood out in the full sun yesterday (ignoring the shelter) and when i got her in, her skin was cool to touch. i was concerned that she'd sweat under it, but not at all.
going to buy one for another horse now, who hasn't got sweet itch but stands out in the sun for hours too!
 
mine is in an Amigo Mio, and he couldnt go out without it, the files are so bad, it literally is a life saver
he also wears a mask, and with these two products he copes well with the heat
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Yes they do - without one my old TB was a mass of lumps. I am nopw using the snuggy bodies and hoods on my two - but they do get mild SI and with the udder/sheath covers these have made a big difference to their comfort factor.

I also have the rambo fly protectors which are my personal fav fly rugs though they don't offer as much protection as the snuggys do for SI suffers.

They actually save money as you don't need all the fly spray - though I still use some on any bits sticking out of the rugs.

Mine also wear crusader masks with ears and nose which means no suncream needs applying - and they have very big pink noses.
 
Thanks you all for your replies - I've decided to get him one but now just need to decide between the Rambo Protector and the Amigo one!
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I use the full neck Rhinegold white one, it is very good and I wouldn't turn out without one now that it's so hot cos there are so many horse flies. My horse is very sensitive skinned and swells up if bitten. it doesn't stop all bites but I'd say 90% and I reckon she's very grateful for that. It only cost about £27.00. Also doesn't rub the mane at all.
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