Waterproof fly rug or mesh?

[Bucketlist]

Hi,

I'm looking to buy a fly rug for our new pony as the weather looks like it's perking up next week. However, we get so many rainy days, I was wondering whether it would be better to get a waterproof fly rug, as I won't always be able to rush up in time to bring him in or change rugs? I don't want to make our pony too warm though?

I know I could use a lightweight (no fill) rug to keep him dry but I'm worried that this won't give him adequate protection from the flies and might also make him too warm?

We're right next to a pond so can't get away without some fly protection and he's fully clipped so don't want him to get burnt either.

Also, any advice on what to do on days where it's warm enough to have flies out, but not warm enough to get away with just a thin fly rug?

Many thanks in advance! x

 

[Red-1]

You won't like this, but I have both!

We are in an area with deep water ditches and ponds (forced drained land). The horses need a fly rug. The ones with waterproofing are too hot in the height of summer. The ones with no waterproofing seem to cool the horses more than no rug when it rains, as they are not greased like horse coats are, so they hold water.

 

[oldjumper]

Don't use waterproof fly rug - they can make horse overheat in summer. We use a boett and put lightweight rain sheet over the top when necessary if weather is cold and wet.

 

[Makemineacob]

I actually have both, I've found that some brands of the waterproof fly rug just made them too hot but then stumbled (after recommendation from a friend) on a Gallop showerproof fly rug, we've got two of them in them and we've never had an issue with overheating (we've used them for last two years now), we've found them extremely useful for warm but overcast/rainy days and haven't had them leak and they've been washed and rep roofed with nikwax and still going strong.