Fly rug to keep horse cool?

[Random stranger here]

I have a bay horse who is really struggling in the heat. Obviously being darker, he does get alot of sun on him. He has no shade in his field, and his stable is just as hot, if not hotter, so bringing in is pointless.
Just wondering (as have been told by some fly rugs make them hotter and others say it keeps them cool) do fly rug, or some fly rugs actually keep the horse cool?
I've seen some say UV protection. And obviously being white would mean less sun as he is brown, with black mane.
Just after peoples thoughts on this, and if you think they do cool the horse down, what ones do you use?
Thankss

 

[Bobthecob15]

I’m not sure they do to be honest. We bought one of the swish nylon fly rugs that have the reflective silver fabric and it just made mine hotter! We have white ones which are ok but when it’s over 25C I don’t put one on at all and turnout at night and keep in during the day instead. Ours does feel the heat though a lot so we tend to put as little as possible on her x

 

[Random stranger here]

I’m not sure they do to be honest. We bought one of the swish nylon fly rugs that have the reflective silver fabric and it just made mine hotter! We have white ones which are ok but when it’s over 25C I don’t put one on at all and turnout at night and keep in during the day instead. Ours does feel the heat though a lot so we tend to put as little as possible on her x

That is what I thought, but my boy is struggling with the heat bless him, and I cant keep him in as just as hot, with no breeze so ends up feeling even hotter. I'm willing to try anything for the poor boy, he can't just jump in a pool like we can

 

[DressageCob]

I've found rugs like the Aussie Allrounder the best for keeping cool. I don't know the logic but they do seem to work.

 

[poiuytrewq]

I don’t really think any fly rug keeps a horse cooler than nothing.
Imagine standing in blazing sun naked or wrapped in any form or fabric whatever colour/ type or style. You’re always going to feel cooler naked (surely!)
However, imo I still use them, I use PE Super lites for really warm weather because I find my horses will pace around to get away from flies and get antsy if they are not covered and protected and so get hot anyway.
It’s a bit loose loose almost but I guess you have to go in the individual and which would make the horse more miserable.

 

[DressageCob]

I don’t really think any fly rug keeps a horse cooler than nothing.
Imagine standing in blazing sun naked or wrapped in any form or fabric whatever colour/ type or style. You’re always going to feel cooler naked (surely!)
However, imo I still use them, I use PE Super lites for really warm weather because I find my horses will pace around to get away from flies and get antsy if they are not covered and protected and so get hot anyway.
It’s a bit loose loose almost but I guess you have to go in the individual and which would make the horse more miserable.

I thought about this, and although I've never stood out naked in the sun I would think a thin cotton layer allowing any breeze to brush through and giving some UV protection would be cooler than full nudity.

Can anyone volunteer to test the theory before this warm weather disappears?!

 

[MidChristmasCrisis]

In the Middle East/far east people wear white to reflect the sun as dark colours absorb light wavelengths…but that’s because people don’t walk around naked lol. An experiment needs to be devised….

 

[Horseysheepy]

My thin skinned TB has been wearing a cheapish horseware fly rug which has only made him sweat where the anti rub satin lining is, under the chest straps.
He will get hotter and sweatier so even tastier to flies, pacing around trying to get rid of them.
In his rug he looks content with just a little tail swishing and temps were in high 20's yesterday.
I guess it depends on the horse.

 

[Highmileagecob]

Mine is out 24/7 in a zebra print fly rug. He doesn't sweat any more than no rug at all, but horsefly bites trigger his asthma so he has to cover up as much as possible. Have to say the zebra print does seem to stop the flies from landing.

 

[starbucker]

Dont get anything which is like a combo waterproof strip mine was so hot under the shires combi. she seems to fine in a gallop hkm type fabric mesh though as mainly concerned about sunburn uv protection

 

[Needtoretire]

I use a PE Supa Lite on a huge black horse and it does help reflect the heat/UV. But he prefers to be stood in on hot days.

 

[poiuytrewq]

Mine came in this morning. 3 in superlites and 2 were absolutely fine and the third was baking hot. He also had huge lumps on the exposed bits where he had been bitten by some evil little bast****

I don't think he would have come in sweaty had he been uncovered but i do think he would have been plastered in bites which is surely worse for him. I hosed him off and he is happily stood inside now.