Fly rugs - is it OK?

[MyBoyChe]

for the horse to wear them when it's gonna be hot? Never had to use one before but poor Che is being driven insane!! I have bought him a Masta one with neck, it is like a big white airtex PE shirt (those of you of a certain age will know what I mean). He is dark bay so am I right in thinking that the rug may actually help to keep him cool rather than fry him. His field has plenty of natural shade/shelter but the flies all seem to gather round him. No option to leave him in as he would be alone and stressed so not sure whether to rug or not. What do you all do please

 

[TS_]

Yes it will be fine to leave it on when it's hot. Being white it will reflect the heat so shouldn't make him to hot. If it has UV proection it might stop his coat from getting sun bleached too.

 

[pricklyflower]

My two dark bay cobs wear their fly rugs pretty much 24/7 (unless it's raining then I take them off and leave them naked as it must be like wearing a wet t-shirt). Never had a problem with them being on when it's really hot, like you I think it maybe helps keeping them cool, being white, they never sweat underneath but mine are more like mesh than actual t-shirt material. As long as the rug fits well and doesn't rub I don't see a problem!

 

[ForeverBroke_]

I have the Kool Coat from Weatherbeta and its fab

Leave it on in all weather, besides rain / wind because it has a t-shirt type bit at the top which provides them with their own little bubble of shade all the way down where the white reflects the sun

I think they work really well in the heat anywho x

 

[flyawaywish]

mine have them on all day and are fine, much better than being buzzed and bitten by flies all day, then they start running about and getting hot!

 

[MyBoyChe]

Thanks guys! He certainly seemed happy enough when I left him at 8am, with his rug and fly mask on he looked like he was going to a "chemical incident"

Looks like we may be in for a spell of sunny days and just wanted to be sure I wasn't being stupid leaving it on.

 

[alison_oliver]

My hoss has the white masta one too, OH says he looks like a power ranger! also know what u mean about PE shirt! lol!! He's fine in it, in fact as previously said it keeps him cooler, he may look daft but he has it on when hot! x

 

[LankyDoodle]

Well I'd be a bit miffed if I couldn't use one on George when it is hot, since that's when the flies are at their worst.