Fly rugs

[sallybrown]

I can't ever decide whether the horses prefer to go naked and put up with the flies or prefer being covered up on a hot day but having some protection. Same dilemma with the fly masks. Any thoughts?

 

[scotsmare]

I think you need to be guided by your horse - if he's bothered by them then try the mask and rug and see how he gets on.

 

[merlinsquest]

I have put mask on but left the rug off...... they dont always look that comfy and dont want bald shoulders do I???

 

[Shilasdair]

[ QUOTE ]
I can't ever decide whether the horses prefer to go naked and put up with the flies or prefer being covered up on a hot day but having some protection. Same dilemma with the fly masks. Any thoughts?

[/ QUOTE ]

I think it depends on the horse - of my three, one is rugless, and goes without a fly mask quite happily. The other two need fly rugs as they get eaten alive if they don't. And I ask them if they want their fly masks on, plus they can take them off if they want.
S

 

[sallybrown]

I do usually use them on both horses, but I feel guilty as their vision must be impaired by the fly masks and I worry a fly could get inside the mask and not be able to find it's way out. Also it must be so lovely to be able to roll etc without a rug after wearing them all winter, and they must be hot and sticky with the fly rugs on when the weather is like this.

 

[ladyt25]

I always wonder what on earth happens to these poor horses with fly rugs on if flies get inside them (which they must do!). I can only see the possibly benefits if a horse suffers from sweetitch or has a hogged mane etc. Mine are out, no rugs (they have manes and tails and plenty of shaded areas to escape the flies if needs be. I fly spray the ones that'll let me but I feel they were given tails for a reason and that is keeping the flies away!

 

[RachelB]

Mine doesn't need a fly rug as she is always happily grazing whenever I arrive. I have seen some horses totally bothered by the flies/midges, running around the field like they're possessed - THEY need fly rugs. As for masks, my horse stands looking miserable and shaking her head every other second if she doesn't have it on, therefore I put one on

 

[poiuytrewq]

I rug my horse as he is miserable at the moment and has lumps where flies are biting him, but i do worry about the heat. My old horse was not bothered by flies at least no more bothered than any animal so he was not rugged.
It is really down to the individual horse.