Fly Rug Recommendations

LisaJM

LisaJM

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Well, it's that time of year again and the bugs are out in force already is this unusually warm Spring weather, so I now need to get my horse a fly rug. I've never had one before as I've never really had a need for one, but my new horse is particularly sensitive to fly bites... she comes up in horrid lumps and bumps that end up oozing for ages, and the flies generally driver her bonkers :mad: She is now dosed up with Apple Cider Vineger which has definately improved the reactions she has to the fly bites which is fantastic but I'd prefer it if she didn't get bitten at all, so I'm on the search for a fly rug, but a fly rug that will stand the test of time and that actually works!!!!! I'm prepared to spend out a bit more for a rug that will last longer than just one season :D

Any recommendations would be much appreciated.

Thank you ;)
 
I have the amigo bug rug, it has the detachable neck. I really like it, soft and not bad value. Also have the Rambo protector( i think thats what its called) very hard wearing, alot stiffer material but alot more expensive.
 
Thanks for that Fizzer... I've just Googled both of these and they both look nice, but the Rambo Protector Fly Rug does look particularly luuuuuuuurrrrrvly!!!!! Oh, decisions, decisions :confused:
 
I used to like the Derby House ones, not sure if they still do them, but they're good. All my horses still have theirs, they seem to last and they have UV Filter as well I think.


For fly masks I don't think you can beat the Equilibrium Field Safe (I think) they're by far the best
 
I second the Rambo Sweet Itch Hoody, v nice quality and fit. The only thing is that my pony (NF) gets a bit hot in it on warmer days but its brilliant for bad midge evenings. I have also just bought him a Premier Equine Bug Buster.....its definitely worth a look. Such a nice quality rug, more of a fly rug than a sweet itch rug so much lighter and he can wear it on the warmer days.
 
I'm afraid I'm not keen on the fit of Derby House rugs, I've tried them before and I'm not a fan!!!

TBH I think the Rambo Sweet Itch Hoody is a bit too much for my girly, she's not that bad, and I don't want something that's too thick for hot summer days.

I've just had a look at the Premier Equine Bug Buster and that does look very acceptable, but it doesn't have a belly section to it does it? What do you think of the fit of it WandaMare? My mare is 15.2, quite stocky with a fuller chest and barrel - she takes up most of her rugs in width not length and usually has a 6'3" depending on shape/style!
 
I have an amigo mio one with neck cover attached. I also use a shires fly mask with ears as in the last few years there seems to be alot of little blood sucking blighters that get in his ears, they also pester him on his sheeth.

I do like the look of these on the link below and if I decide to turn out over night this summer I might get one
http://www.fasttackdirect.co.uk/pro..._with_waterproof_turnout_rug_top_section.html
 
LisaJM The fit is perfect on my 13.2 NF, he is a typical native shape, not too overweight but a decent little barrel on him :) In Amigo rugs, I have got him 5'9''s as they tend to come up small, whereas I got him the 5'6'' in this and it fits perfectly. I think they are truer to size than the Amigos. It also has the shoulder gullet which I liked and gives the more chunky native types more room to move their shoulder.

I also bought my 15.2 cob cross the cotton night sheet which is also very nice quality and has also come up true to size. She is also wide over her shoulder and again the shoulder gullets mean a comfortable fit. I haven't ever bought Premier Equine rugs before, really pleased. I saw the recommendations on here and as usual the HHO advice has been spot on!
 
fizzer said:
I have the amigo bug rug, it has the detachable neck. I really like it, soft and not bad value. Also have the Rambo protector( i think thats what its called) very hard wearing, alot stiffer material but alot more expensive.
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Another vote for the Rambo . . . I have this one a rather cheaper Amigo and the Rambo is far better/more hardwearing and gives more coverage.

Hope that helps.

P
 
Just to throw another rug into the mix, I have Mark Todd ultras and they are very good for my stock CBxTB. There is a flexible bit at the neck so the rug doesnt ride up and also has a belly flap.

Found sizing came up big for a MT rug - my boy is normally a 6'3" in horseware and MT, but his 6'0" MT ultra fits better than his 6'3" MT ultra. But he has big shoulder, barrel and is quite short backed.
 
Thanks for all your replies, and to CBAnglo for putting a spanner in the works with the Mark Todd rug :D

I have Googled that as well now and it looks really nice too, it's also reasonably priced which surprised me. CBAnglo, would you say the MT Ultra Combo is light weight enough for really hot days?

OMG, I knew this would happen, spoilt for choice now!!!

Well it's definately a toss up between the Rambo Protector, the Premier Equine Bug Buster and Mark Todd Combo... trouble is, it could be next Summer before I make a decision... LOL :D

:confused:
 
I think it depends on the horse.

My CBxTB is a very hot horse and he is dark bay so he sweats in the summer even without a rug. When it is really hot, I switch him to a HKM fly rug which is very lightweight but extremely strong (it looks like fly mesh).

My anglo has a very fine coat. He is perfectly fine in his MT rug all summer.

The MT ultra is very soft so I find it doesnt rub like some of the rugs with a rougher texture. I have about 6 of them as mine live in their 24/7 (very bad sweet itch) and they dont rub. I tried all sorts of other ones which caused huge bald patches on their shoulders and slipped badly, although I didnt try the amigo since it didnt have a belly flap. The MT one stays pretty much in place, mostly helped by the belly flap I think.

I would have gone for a Rambo except mine always come in with huge rips in their rugs (the other boys play rough) so I think I would have been in tears if it came in with a huge rip. My first MTs have been around for about 4 yrs now and although have lots of stitching and patches are still ok and wash well.
 
Another vote for the Rambo Protector my two horses have a lot of chest and shoulder and they fit them both great, they dont slip and wash good too, decisions, decisions......:)
 
Premier Equine fly rugs are amazing! I have the SweetItch one for my super sensitive Welsh Cob and one of the ordinary ones for my other cob. The neck is nice and long so keeps them covered even when they are grazing and the depth is lovely and deep.
 
I've been investing in new fly rugs recently as all last years are badly passed their use-by date!

For a chunky Welsh D mare and a big fronted Connie I wanted a couple of rugs to reflect UV rays and be not too heavy as thw Welsh mare is rather hot at the best of times.

Just had delivered this week a Bucas Sunshower and a MT ultra combo.The Bucas is a superb rug but nowhere near roomy enough in the shoulders so have reluctantly returned that one.

The MT Ultra looks very good and is an excellent fit so will keep it ..the only possible problem though is that it could be a bit warm on the Welsh D when the weather heats up so might let the Connie wear that.

I've also ordered a Weathebeeta Equalize combo which is showerproof as well as fly rug and this should be quite roomy for the Welsh.In addition,I've ordered the NEW Premier Equine SuperLite fly rug which is claimed to be so lightweight that the pony does'nt know it's got a rug on! PE are usually generous in the front so I'm hoping this will also be suitable.Both are eagerly awaited.

Sorry to ramble a bit but there you have it!
 
CBAnglo said:
I think it depends on the horse.

The MT ultra is very soft so I find it doesnt rub like some of the rugs with a rougher texture. I have about 6 of them as mine live in their 24/7 (very bad sweet itch) and they dont rub. I tried all sorts of other ones which caused huge bald patches on their shoulders and slipped badly, although I didnt try the amigo since it didnt have a belly flap. The MT one stays pretty much in place, mostly helped by the belly flap I think.

.
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I have MT on The Biggest Three Year Old in The World but it's too tight over his shoulders and so his chest is exposed and then it is too long over his tail...and suggestions for big shouldered/chested horses?
 
britishbreeder said:
I have MT on The Biggest Three Year Old in The World but it's too tight over his shoulders and so his chest is exposed and then it is too long over his tail...and suggestions for big shouldered/chested horses?
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My recommendation would be the Rambo Protector I struggle with rugs on the chest for my horses but these fit them great and dont rub.
 
Tammytoo said:
Rambo sweet itch hoodie - it's very effective and very robust.
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Ditto this!

Also.... IF you can find one anywhere, the Pessoa Sweet Itch Hoody is equally abso-fab; but like I say not easy to find.

Also the Premier Equine hoodies are good; suit my traddie cob/rhino and are hard-wearing and durable.

IMO the super-thin cheapo mesh rugs are just not worth buying; they seem on the face of it to be cheaper and so people buy them, but my boy has wrecked them in just two or three days so that makes them uneconomic. I'd probably buy one for him to have on when he's standing in (he's got sweet itch so needs something all the time) but I certainly wouldn't buy one intended as a turn-out rug.

Think you're better off spending a bit more initially and getting something that lasts.
 
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Another vote for rambo sweetitch hoody, only fly rug that when she put her head down doesnt leave a huge gap, fits really well and she doesnt get too hot in it.
 
had fal one gr8 rugs but the fly rug came apart round zipper.also to high in price doesnt hold the value

weatherbeeta didnt like that one
rambo didnt like that one

I like the Masta fly rug , light and doesnt rub and good price
 
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rambos all the way, had amigos before this but the shoulder lining never lasts and a bit tight round the shoulders, the rambos don't do this as they have the v-neck 5'9 neck also never fitted my welshie! (have to say the amigos have never ripped though but our two dont make contact/no edges in field etc).

You might want to consider a size down depending on horse chunkness, pba mare takes a 6' in most but has a 5'9 in this, have just bought her one from here (as cheaper than most places) if you want a 5'6/5'9 or 7'!
http://www.hopevalleysaddlery.co.uk/acatalog/RAMBO_SALE.html

My boys was 2nd hand off ebay but they last so well you wouldn't know

mastas I have just known to slip round lots.
 
My masta is awful, it just slips round the whole time! I know you don't like them but I love the fit of derby house fly rugs, I've just bought another as its on sale! Only one to stay on and stop her rubbing her tail!
 
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