Fly rugs - i feel so novice asking this lol

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Firstly let me say im not usually the sort of person who considers rugging to keep a horse clean...then i got a 90% white horse who had to be photoshopped in a show photo lol. Also, he needs a fly mask in summer as he gets sun burn, and swollen eyes in the height of it and came in with a horsefly bite one time that made his leg swell up so much he could not bend it....but only once. I feel quite novice asking these, but ive never had the inclination to fly rug anything.

So my 1st qu, is do they at least attempt to keep them clean? Im not expecting a pure white animal, just at least keep SOME mud from sticking and staining too much. But would they actually make it worse for staining?

2nd qu, do they hold in much heat? I won't rug him if it makes him uncomfortable just to help me keep him slightly cleaner and avoid one horsefly bite.

3rd qu, if and when they get wet, will they make him cold? Do they really dry as fast as they are said to?

Lastly, i have seen one that has a waterproof cross on it, would that be something that would hold in the heat/keep it out/do any benefit or not?
 
They are designed for summer generally and don't seem to hold the heat...plus most have a UV reflection property.
The lighter weight ones do dry quickly...I've used one as a cooler/sweat rug before now when nothing else was available.
Can't comment on keeping them xlean as I haven't ever thought of it like that?? I imagine it would depend on the material used :)
 
I use an Aussie All rounder and that keeps them clean, cool and is pretty hard wearing - And I've had it for years.
 
Yes, they do keep them cool, especially the cheap-y white ones. A bit like us wearing a light linen blouse - they catch any breeze so the horse feels the benefit. They also dry v.quick with the horse's body heat in the event of a shower.

Can't really comment on the cleanliness aspect as my horse would rather geld himself with his own teeth than get a speck of muck on him. We have a waterproof fly sheet though which is made of more robust fabric and a waterproof panel running along the top of it (sides are mesh). That one would definitely keep the dirt off, were he to roll in Something Nasty.
 
they won't make the horse hotter unless you go for a stupid zebra striped one, or similar! go for a white or very light colour, I actually think it helps keep darker horses cool, as my bay seems to burn up when naked! white will reflect the sun!
 
Kezzabell2 said:
they won't make the horse hotter unless you go for a stupid zebra striped one, or similar! go for a white or very light colour, I actually think it helps keep darker horses cool, as my bay seems to burn up when naked! white will reflect the sun!
Click to expand...

Oh see the one i wanted was zebra!?!??!?! lol

His entire body is white, just black head and flanks, so i dont' want him cold either...
 
I've currently go an Amigo Mio which is shiny and reflective and a Rambo bug buster which apparently has a stupid pattern on it. Also had in past Mark Todd and a Bucas. Mark Todd was too thick and the Bucas used to twist around to one side.

All kept him reasonably clean but all make him sweat more if it's very hot. So don't agree that they keep them particularly cool but not had a problem in normal uk temps. Also dry very quickly if only showers. My main issue is that I've not yet found one that fits hi-wither horses very well.
 
I just by the cheapy thin white ones and I only tend to use them in the peak of summer mainly because of horse flies if I leave them off my two are driven mad by them, I find they keep them a bit cleaner they dry quick if wet and they definitely help stop insect bites and irritation, one of my horses gets a rubbed mane by them so I just cut the neck off if I can't find ones without a neck, I tend to buy a few new ones each summer they are only £25 so I have spare ones so they can be washed in the machine regularly and I always have clean ones, they are very handy on hot days for a show to travel in or wear in the stable the night before if very hot.
 
In answer to your questions:
Yeah, depending on how thick your fly rug is, it keeps them a little cleaner - not much mud in summer anyway is there?
The lighter ones don't hold the heat in. In fact I think it helps keep them cooler especially if you have no natural shade in your field.
They all dry quickly if they get wet but if it looks to be a sunshine and heavy showers day, you be better off using a fly rug with a waterproof upper.

I have four different fly rugs and yes, I use them all!

I have a Mark Todd Combo Flyrug - this one is made from thicker, woven material so if it's a really warm day I don't use it because it makes my horse too hot. I do love the belly flap on it though which you can make really snug to stop the belly area getting bites.

I have two Bucas fly rugs - the Zebra Stripe one and the Bucas Buzz off Rain which is waterproof. Good rugs, nice and light so no over heating even on red hot days but… like sussexbythesea says, my Bucas rugs twist to one side as well. Fortunately, my YO is around all day to keep an eye on things.

My other fly rug is a Rambo Vamoose fly rug. I bought it last year in an end of season sale for £70. Not used it yet but it does look lovely :)
 
A lot of fly rugs are white/light reflecting so they stay nice and cool. My rug (can't remember the brand for the life of me) is made out of a breathable material. Lovely and light weight.

I hate to rug mine up but unfortunately she's a fly magnet so she ends up looking like a superhero (or villain depending on how you well you know her) in all her get up.

Mines Bay, so I've never noticed how clean it keeps her.

Mines that light weight that even if it does rain, it doesn't really take much to dry out! I can find out the brand later if it's of any interest but others have offered good alternatives too!
 
I think it depends a bit on the horse and the material as to how hot they get. My old dark bay tb used to come up in a lather under a fly rug for some reason, although I think he was the exception rather than the norm.
Rugs do come in a variety of materials - I prefer the premier equine super lite one - and currently have that on a grey horse purely to help keep it cleaner. It would dry very quickly if wet but other makes are more material like and would hold water. Anything with a waterproof top and I think you would be at risk of holding heat on a hot day
 
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