Fly Rugs

[BonneMaman]

Yes, I know we are in the middle of winter without a fly in sight but I thought that if I start looking now they might be on sale!

Votes please for your best/favourite fly rugs would be great - Any rug suggestions.

Has anyone tried one of those complete wrap around jobs? Look like they are lycra with a belly piece too?

Thanks Guys!

 

[katastrophykat]

Boetts are fab but v v expensive, I have an itchy welshie and alternate a boett with a Rambo sweetitch hoody (second hand with waterproof liner £50) and if they're both in the wash, I've just got a fly rug from bell busk (riot enterprises on eBay) and it looks ok, hasn't been on him yet though!!

 

[Loopypony]

All 5 of mine have Premier Equine - wouldn't use anything else! I find the chest sizing slightly odd on the older models but the new ones are much better. Have a couple of the sweet-itch hoodies too which I cannot fault!

Saying this, I was given a Rambo sweet-itch hoody to try with my very itchy mare (she doesn't have sweet itch) and I must say that I do like it a lot. Made my mare very happy!!

 

[mik]

My Mark Todd is excellent. Well designed. Strong fabric.

 

[ThePony]

for sweetitch - rambo sweetitch hoody,
just for flys - premier equine
We also have the snuggy hoods sweet itch rugs and I'm afraid I'm rather disapointed with them. Sizing is odd first off, need to go down a couple. Also, because they are stretchy they tend to slip back over the shoulders and pull, resulting in too much material around the back end so the horse can't help but poo on the material. Will get busy with sewing and scissors before this summer and see if I can improve things, but considering the two rugs/neck covers/removeable fly fringe etc cost us nearly £350 then I don't expect to have to do anything!

 

[jacksmum]

I bought a Shires one last year, the type with the liner in case of showers.
Great fit and took the stress out of worrying bout rain but it got pony very hot when hot
So ended up buying an Amigo off a friend cheap and very impressed with it.
Fits a TB well but prob too tight on shoulders for a cob

 

[Ella19]

My masta is ok but slips a bit, before that I had a Derby house one and was very impressed!

 

[mcnaughty]

I like the Mark Todd one too. Fits very well.

 

[starryeyed]

My lad gets incredibly bad sweetitch and the Boett rug is the only thing that has actually stopped him scractching and allowed him to grow a mane & tail, it was expensive but a miracle worker! And supplied with a lot of spare bits incase he rips it which he hasn't yet done and he's been wearing it for years now so imo it was worth the initial expense. The Boett 'people' are really lovely and helpful too, if you need something to really cover your horse up and 'do the job' then they are really great. They're almost made to measure too so you know they'll fit perfectly, you send your measurements off and they work out which size will be most suitable. Durable and the horses don't overheat in them either. Only thing you need to be aware of is that you need to put the hood on over the head with these type of rugs but it wasn't an issue with mine and he's a wimp when it comes to most things.
For the others we've used Mark Todd's one & Rambo's Flybuster rug. Didn't use the mark todd one for too long but liking it so far, the flybuster is really durable but after a while tends to get a bit rough so might not be ideal if your horse has sensitive skin.

 

[Suziq77]

The weatherbeeta ones are very good, seems to keep my grey mare cool and fly free - she hangs around the gate looking miserable on hot/sunny days if she goes out without it but as soon as she's got her rug on she sticks firmly to her job of emptying the field of grass.

 

[mulledwhine]

Another vote for weatherbeeta

 

[Jesstickle]

Mark Todd with the elastic neck insert. Although they're heavy so on really hot days you might want soemthing lighter to use

 

[wiglet]

I have the Mark Todd with elastic neck insert - smashing rug and I love the snug belly flap which stops all nasty insects biting her tummy.

As it's a bit too heavy on really hot days, I also have a Rambo Fly Buster - another nice fly rug - generous in fit but, the belly flap isn't as good or generous as Mark Todd.

My third fly rug is the Bucas Buzz Off Rain Combi - bought this one at YourHorse Live - looks a great rug but not tried it yet.

 

[Abbeygale]

I have the Rambo sweet itch hoodies for both my girls - much better coverage than a lot of rugs

 

[Jane_Lou]

Mark Todd Combo with the insert in the neck. They have done two summers now and apart from the binding on the back seam fraying they are as good as new. They wash up really well, don't rub manes and fit really well I haven't found that the horses get too hot in them - we didn't have summer last year and I don't remember it being a problem the year before but then we tend to bring them in during the day if its really hot and they go out at after dark in the cool without their rugs.

 

[Happy Hunter]

I like the Premier Equine 'white one'

Worked a ttreat for me!

the sweet itch buster - http://www.premierequine.co.uk/acatalog/Fly_Summer_Rugs_Masks.html

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