Fly rug to keep cob cool in hot weather

Shani

Shani

Active Member
Joined
30 June 2018
Messages
48
Visit site
I bought a Amigo Evolution 3 in 1 vermoose rug but it makes my cob froth with sweat, on these hot summer days, I bought it because reviews said it kept horse cool, well it didnt work for my girl, I had to give extra salt in feed to stop her dehydrating, so can anyone help with suggestions as I dont want another rug disaster, I shall be selling the above rug forthwith, I'm sure reviewer use lightweight blood horses not chunky cobs 🙄 so also if you are looking for an Evolution flyrug let me, I have one that is only a week old
 
One that is also waterproof is never going to keep your horse cool. You can wear a 'breathable' lightweight jacket yourself and now that you will son be hot and sweaty. These rugs with a waterproof strip are for those days where you suspect it might rain but it is too hot for a full waterproof.

To keep your cob cool no rug at all is best. But, if you need fly protection then a lightweight mesh is the coolest.

Next coolest would be a sweetitch type rug, that is a tighter weave, but this is hotter than an open mesh, but with better protection.
 
I find premier Equine superlites pretty good.
I have just bought an Amigo vamoose but not the waterproof type and that’s pretty good.
 
My horse is black and hates the horse flies like other posters have said mesh is the only way to go with hot horses. The amigo xl bug rug is good for cob types and I’ve had success with various weatherbeeta ones mine is far happier and cooler in a fly rug than not and his coat doesn’t get bleached which admittedly is the least of my concerns
 
As P says - unless you have a vet reason to use a fly rug far better not to use one. Especially in this heat! If you do have to use one perhaps clip skin close to reduce any insulating hair?
 
I only use fly rugs on horses with sweetitch, and short term while the horseflies are around - they are much cooler without.
I have a cotton/mesh Animac rug for Alf, it's cooler than synthetic material, and it's white, so reflects sun to a degree. He's still hotter in it than he is naked.
 
I have a sweetitch cob, he's in Snuggies when out, but in this heat I bring him in, take them off & douse him in fly spray & creams.
 
Leave it off, whats the obsession with rugging! I started flicking through a horsey catalogue the other day ... OMG i was literally going to buy everything when i suddenly realised i needed not one damn thing from it so promptly threw it in the recycling bin! We are all brainwashed by these companies so they can make money and its not good for our wallets, our sanity or our horses half the time! (slow cooked tendons above anyone!)
 
I'm half-looking for one too - very hot short fat coblet, who gets dreadful surnburn if left uncovered, is eaten alive by flies and until this year, was also extremely itchy. Stables are south facing and tin roofed, so bringing in makes her even hotter! My other loves to sunbathe, so goes naked unless the flies are hideous.
 
I have a hot QH who is very allergic to bites, despite antihistamines and being covered with fly repellant, and the swollen bites are painful for him.

I have the Aussie All rounder ( https://www.corkfarmequestrian.co.u...migo-aussie-allrounder?variant=11633452711972 ) and used that for part of last year during the heat wave. He was still warm (but then they were all warm without rugs) but didn't sweat under it. They used rugs similar to this when I worked in the Territory and the daytime temps could exceed 36 Deg C - I know those horses were acclimatised but the rugs still did the job.

This year I've bought a Weatherbeeta comfi fit fly rug and he's not sweated under it. http://www.allthebestrugs.com/epages/es138987.sf/en_GB/?ObjectID=23062325
 
My sweet itch cob wears a Premier Equine or a Rambo sweet itch hoody ... he never overheats in it. It's fairly loose fitting and UV reflective. I put one on my bay when the horseflies appear as she gets very agitated by them and she stays cool in hers too even though she's quite an active horse in the field .
 
Tiddlypom said:
The lightweight mesh rugs do the job without overheating for the horse that hates flies, like this mare. This pic was taken last year, but the rug is still in use now, it’s lasted well despite appearing flimsy. It’s a Mio, costs around £40.
View attachment 34239
Click to expand...
Second this.
I've got one of these rugs; when we were near a canal there was no way I could turn them out rugless and I've been really pleased with it. I actually think it's a bit cooling without the sun directly on their backs.
Lovely model.
 
BOWS28 said:
Find a good fly spray and leave it off!
Click to expand...

The thing is fly sprays dont work on all flies, especially horse flies.

My two absolutely hate horse flies but my black horse in particular get very distressed. If I left him naked he would be driven mad poor bugger. Yes I think they probably do get a bit warmer wearing one but its the lesser of two evils in my eyes.

I always take them off last thing at night and put back on in the AM so they have time to groom and feel the air on their skin.
 
MotherOfChickens said:
Having a black pony I find he is definitely better (cooler) in the Mio than without-black horses are a whole other ball game when it comes to flies and heat I've discovered! I like the Mios they sit well, just go a size up with chunky ponies.
Click to expand...

I got a couple of Mios and found that the necks were huge. I had to take them back and get different rugs. Shame as they fit nicely in the body.
 
Antw23uk said:
Leave it off, whats the obsession with rugging! I started flicking through a horsey catalogue the other day ... OMG i was literally going to buy everything when i suddenly realised i needed not one damn thing from it so promptly threw it in the recycling bin! We are all brainwashed by these companies so they can make money and its not good for our wallets, our sanity or our horses half the time! (slow cooked tendons above anyone!)
Click to expand...


You alright Hun? It's not like I am obsessed with rugging, the ponies wear rugs maybe 10 days of the year. I use tritec14 as a spray and occasionally back that up with a fly rug. Black horses, as I said, wholly different in the fly stakes so if the poor sod is being hounded by biting black fly and horse flies I will rug occasionally.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top