Lycra body suits for turnout or similar

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emfen1305

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I am struggling to find a fly rug to fit my cob - he's got a short neck, big shoulders and a big bum. I've tried a couple of different brands and thought the Premier Equine was the best fitting but it is tighter than I would like on his shoulders and is rubbing his hips. He is really bothered by the flys and is black so would like him to be in a rug but don't want it to rub him.

I found the snuggy hoods sweet itch rug that I think is lycra material so it shouldn't rub - does anyone else use one? Does anyone else have any other recommendations for similar? Thanks :)
 
I had problems finding rugs to fit my Fell pony, someone on here recommended Maxima Equestrian, and they fit him really well if that helps?

I'd have thought the lycra suits would be too warn for this weather.
 
The only one I've found that doesn't rub my guy's massive shoulders and isn't too tight on the neck and bum is the shires hooded one (sorry, I can't remember the product name). I would also worry about a full lyra set up being too hot

Eta:mine also has a long neck though, so couldn't vouch for the shires on a shorter neck
 
I wouldn't put one of the full lycra set ups on something that didn't have sweetitch, they are quite thick. Also often lycra is more prone to rubbing as it pulls tight.
 
Thanks all - hadn't considered it being too hot, I was thinking it would be the same material and thickness as my lycra hood which is quite thin but hadn't considered it would need to be thicker for turnout! My other thought was to get silky underrug type thing for the PE rug to stop it rubbing against his bum or will that just make it slip even more? It's not an awful fit, it's certainly not rubbing him anywhere else other than his bum!

I don't want any of the thick material ones as I tried him in one and he came in soaked in sweat so it needs to be the lighter mesh one, I think the Shires and Rambo ones where too thick when I felt them. Not sure on the Amigo, I will look into that one although was told to avoid for cobs. Such a minefield, just want to keep him comfy!
 
The amigo XL is designed for chunky types. Agree that the usual amigos are no go for cobs- perfect for tbs! FYI it is quite a light mesh. I bought my second one about a month ago- Sport Direct had best price
 
emfen1305 said:
Thanks all - hadn't considered it being too hot, I was thinking it would be the same material and thickness as my lycra hood which is quite thin but hadn't considered it would need to be thicker for turnout! My other thought was to get silky underrug type thing for the PE rug to stop it rubbing against his bum or will that just make it slip even more? It's not an awful fit, it's certainly not rubbing him anywhere else other than his bum!

I don't want any of the thick material ones as I tried him in one and he came in soaked in sweat so it needs to be the lighter mesh one, I think the Shires and Rambo ones where too thick when I felt them. Not sure on the Amigo, I will look into that one although was told to avoid for cobs. Such a minefield, just want to keep him comfy!
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Any type of lycra rug/silky under rug is going make your horse far too hot - they are closely woven fabrics, so there is no airflow. Far hotter than even a thick fly rug.

Can you not try some long-lasting fly spray, so he doesn't need to wear anything? My lot were all far too hot in fly rugs, so they are nakes and plastered in Tritec - even the really fly intolerant ones are perfectly happy
 
The rambo one is tough material which might seem thick but I have a prone to being hot (and thick coated) cob in one and it's fine.
I wouldn't use the standard amigo one one a cob (the skinny shouldered anglo has one and it's ok on her) though the material is very soft. IIRC the PE ones are quite stiff material? I wonder if that is why it is rubbing?
 
Auslander said:
Any type of lycra rug/silky under rug is going make your horse far too hot - they are closely woven fabrics, so there is no airflow. Far hotter than even a thick fly rug.

Can you not try some long-lasting fly spray, so he doesn't need to wear anything? My lot were all far too hot in fly rugs, so they are nakes and plastered in Tritec - even the really fly intolerant ones are perfectly happy
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Honestly I think I have tried every commercial fly spray going - nothing works, he is just too tasty! Plus he is black so wanted a reflective one to help keep the sun off him but not sure if that is just a marketing gimmick!
 
ponios said:
The amigo XL is designed for chunky types. Agree that the usual amigos are no go for cobs- perfect for tbs! FYI it is quite a light mesh. I bought my second one about a month ago- Sport Direct had best price
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Excellent, yes I had noticed the photo in the ad is of a cob wearing it, didn't notice the XL part! I think it looks to be a goer so might try that next. Thanks!
 
ester said:
The rambo one is tough material which might seem thick but I have a prone to being hot (and thick coated) cob in one and it's fine.
I wouldn't use the standard amigo one one a cob (the skinny shouldered anglo has one and it's ok on her) though the material is very soft. IIRC the PE ones are quite stiff material? I wonder if that is why it is rubbing?
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I'm going to have a feel of them all at the weekend haha! The PE one I have is one of the softest ones I felt of all of them which is why I was surprised it rubbed - I don't think sizing up will help either as it is plenty long enough!
 
Ah I might be remembering a different one then. F's very prone to rubs and the hair does stick up through his rambo but it's never been an issue and we really get on with the v-neck closure. He does not have proper cob shoulders though.
 
ester said:
Ah I might be remembering a different one then. F's very prone to rubs and the hair does stick up through his rambo but it's never been an issue and we really get on with the v-neck closure. He does not have proper cob shoulders though.
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I tried the Pro Teque air one on which was thicker but probably the softest but went for the bug buster as it had the belly flap, I'm just really disappointed for it as I paid £90 and its been worn about 3 times and I won't get anywhere near what I paid for it 2nd hand so don't want the same problem again!
 
Most fly rugs are made of synthetic fibres which are excellent for expelling moisture but terrible for retaining heat. The coolest solution would be a cotton sheet - you don't see them as often anymore and they're not always the most durable, but anything else in this heat will make him very uncomfortable.
 
I do think it depends how they are woven, I spend the summer in long sleeved synthetic fibres but they are all really cool because of how they are made :)
 
Please be careful if using Lycra hoods with the eyeholes in for turnout.

A few years now I turned my old boy (no longer around :( ) out in one and left him up in the field to get on with life. Because I live on-site, I'm able to "do" the horses easily, there's no question of anything being left for hours and hours without anyone knowing if there's a problem.

Sooh, I turned him out in the morning, and I'd popped back at lunchtime to bring him in for something, farrier let's say. He was standing up in the corner of the field, head into the hedge, and head down by his knees, not moving. Strange, I thought, so went up to him.

It was then I discovered that the lycra hood thing had come down, OVER his eyes, thus blinding him totally. Which explained why he was just standing there and doing nothing. Bless im, because he was such a sensible boy, he'd decided the only thing to do was just stand there and do nothing about it.

That lycra hood went on the bonfire that night; and the other one I had too, with it.

I would NEVER ever use one again. I've heard elsewhere that there was a horse who'd been turned out in one, and it had caused ulceration to its eyeball :(

Nasty nasty things.

PLEASE people, be aware.
 
I think the title is misleading- you aren't meaning using a lycra hood like the ones to keep clean before shows, but the stretchy sweet-itch types? my mare actually developed sweet itch this year and is in a snuggy hoods bug body (no head). it does stretch quite a lot over her really wide shoulders, so could of maybe bought a size smaller. rubs her armpits a bit as there is a belly bit underneath. but ultimately provides great coverage- the long neck is generous so stays put with grazing and rolling. nearly all her belly is covered. my boy has an amigo hoodie as he hates flies and horse fly bites swell on him, but he has small shoulders. actually thought about getting him a snuggy hood second hand if it comes up in his size as the coverage of the belly would make him happier. there are cheaper options like the equipment-terme which are quite light and provide the coverage and stretch you are after.

yes they are a thicker material, but breathable, and when they are happier from not being attacked by flies (and midges) they are then less hot and bothered anyway.
 
apercrumbie said:
Most fly rugs are made of synthetic fibres which are excellent for expelling moisture but terrible for retaining heat. The coolest solution would be a cotton sheet - you don't see them as often anymore and they're not always the most durable, but anything else in this heat will make him very uncomfortable.
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I tried Kool Coat and that was the worst one of all unfortunately!
 
Sorry to hear about your horse MiJodsR2BlinkinTite, I had no intention of using a turnout hood though but a good warning to other people if they are reading the thread!
 
for heat and flies I like Rambo Protectors-my Fell is cooler in that than naked and he's pretty chunky. The Exmoor is mildly sweet-itchy and either wears a Rambo or a Mio with a snugly hoods neck (no head) underneath-when its not 30C.
 
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