Fly rugs - in your opinion?

[cyearsley]

Do horses get too hot in them during the hotter days? Last year by boy suffered really bad with the flies and used to turn him out in one at night to protect him from midges at key times - dusk and dawn - but as he sweats on a hot day simply standing in his field, always thought that a fly rug would make him sweat more? I have the Mark Todd one and am pleased with it and I know it is supposed to reflect the sun etc etc but have never been entirely convinced that on really hot days that he would be even hotter with it on? Answers and opinions welcome!

 

[sloulou]

I was worried about this when I bought my boett for my horse... but apparently the rug has a shading effect on them - so in fact they are not as hot as a horse not wearing oner in the direct sun.. My horse hasn't been sweaty at all in his and he has been wearing it for a few months - and we have def had some hot weather...

I guess is like if you wear a T shirt in the sun - you won't get burnt - so you'll be less hot than without one... not sure am making sense...

Anyway - mine is brown so won't relect the sun either way - but it does seem to have a shading effect.. Sorry am rambling...

 

[jj4y]

I think my horse sweats less when turned out with his fly rug on that without it on very hot days, so I think it does reflect a good bit of the sun

 

[calon]

my mare is black so i think its good for her to wear it

 

[fruity]

Ditto here,my mare hates the summer,her being black makes it worse as the flies seem to love her much more than the other horses in her field.She went that mad with them one year she ran herself in to a tree! Poor thing,she can't really come in as she has a hip injury and the vet advised her not to be inside.She goes through one fly rug every summer as she is very good at trashing them.She is always out in a full face and ears mask with her rug,she's quite happy then.It does cost quite a bit though! As long as she's happy - I am!

 

[chantal1989]

did have a masta fly rug on my mare but she used to get quite hot in it but then bought a new riff raff fly rug and it works brilliantly. i never used to be able to leave her out during the day but now she has the fly rug i can.

 

[Petrie]

I have always been pleased to find mine cooler under their (white) fly rugs that the 'naked' horses. I think the idea is that the heat is reflected away by the white rug.

I really rate them, think they're much more comfortable with them on.

 

[cyearsley]

Thanks everyone, am going to give it a go putting it on during the day. Thanks again for all your comments and advice

 

[pidgeypony]

My boy is black and seems to stay cooler in his fly sheet - a white one, which will reflect the heat.

 

[welshiewhiskers]

My horses wear fly rugs too in the heat and they have never sweated underneath them, it is especially good because they reflect UV rays and are light colours!