HomeExpert AdviceArticleChoosing the right fly protection for your horse

Along with good stable and field management, fly rugs and fly masks can help your horse cope with the flies during the summer months

horse grazing in summer paddock

But sometimes it’s difficult to know where to start. Do I choose a fly mask with ‘ears’, would a fly fringe be a better choice, what kind of fly rug would be best for my horse, do they even need one at all?

In this blog we’ll consider these and other questions in order to help you decide what to choose for your horse.

Does my horse need a fly rug?

Not necessarily. Many horses are happy going au naturel, particularly if they’re kept in their stable during the day.  But there are many that will benefit from the protection a fly rug can offer.  Consider using one: if your horse gets frustrated or agitated by flies; is prone to lumps and bumps or any kind of reaction when they’re bitten; has a skin condition that can help be controlled by a rug; suffer from sweetitch; if they have pink skin or are prone to sunburn; or if they’re dark coloured and benefit from having a (typically) light coloured rug to help reflect the sun.

What should I be looking out for?

First of all think about whether you need a rug to deal with a particular problem? For example, if your horse is affected by sweetitch you’ll need a rug with a dense weave to prevent the midges being able to get through.

Look out for features or rugs which might benefit your horse specifically. Things like:

Anti-rub lining – many fly rugs have full neck designs to offer more comprehensive protection, but this can, in some cases, lead to rubs on the horse’s mane where the neck and rug join. Some fly sheets have a specially designed anti rub lining to help prevent or reduce this.

Belly flap – some fly rugs have an additional piece of anti fly mesh that sits underneath the horse and is held in place by the surcingles. If your horse gets particularly irritated by flies and biting insects around their barrel, then this could be worth looking at as an option.

Hybrid fly rug – if you’re worried about your horse getting wet during those random showers but still want to provide the protection that a fly rug offers, then a hybrid fly rug is for you! They may have a waterproof or showerproof top section to help keep the rain off the horse’s back, but with mesh sides to ensure comfort and maximum air flow.

Tail flap – some fly rugs will have an extra piece to cover the top of your horse’s tail.  If they’re particularly susceptible to fly bites in this area look for a rug that has an oversized tail flap to provide maximum protection.

UV Protection – this won’t help keep the flies away, but it will offer protection from the sun’s rays which can cause burning and, in some cases, can also bleach the horse’s coat.

Waterproof fly rugs – similar to a hybrid rug , these have a waterproof top section that keeps the horse dry along his back when it rains, but allows lots of air flow to the horse thanks to the mesh sides.

And what about a fly mask, there are so many out there, which one should I choose?

Again, first decide whether your horse needs one or not. Some horses need to wear them all year round if they have eye conditions that benefit from the protection a mask can provide.  Other horses find flies around their eyes particularly bothersome when it’s warm and sunny. Here are some of the products or features you might see when you’re choosing the fly protection that’s right for your horse.

Bug-eye – some fly masks have a ‘bug eye’ design. This means that the mask has been crafted to have mesh domes around the eyes, giving that bug look, but it can also provided additional room around the horse’s eyes for comfort.

Ears – decide whether or not you need to cover your horse’s ears as well as their eyes. Many horses find little flies or midges irritating if they get in their ears while some horses dislike their ears being enclosed.

Fine mesh – fly masks for horses can be made of a range of different sized mesh, but you tend to see ‘fine mesh’ advertised the most. This just means that the mesh used to make the mask is finer in terms of the strands used to create the mesh. Fine mesh fly masks also usually have much smaller gaps in the weave and can be softer against the horse’s face.

Fly Fringe – fly fringes are made from long stripes of fabric that dangle down over the horse’s eyes, a bit like an extended forelock. Some are designed to be fastened onto a headcollar (make sure you’re using a safety version for turnout) or used as a standalone item.  In both cases the fringes should have a quick release element to prevent injury in the field.

Fly Veil or Fly Bonnet – for horses that are irritated by flies around their ears during ridden work, a fly veil or fly bonnet is designed to fit with the bridle, providing breathable cover across the horse’s ears.

Forelock hole or gap – some masks will have a space for you to pull the forelock through. This is particularly useful for horses with a lot of hair as it will help the mask fit more closely.

Nose protection – some fly masks have additional sections that provide a mesh cover over the horse’s nose. This can be particularly useful for horses with pale skin if the mesh has UV protection too. It can also be useful for horses that get bothered by flies around their nose.

Pull on – some fly masks have a pull on design to provide a closer fit. When this is the case, the mask is usually made of a stretchy material like Lycra.

Riding fly mask – as the flies don’t take a break when you go and ride, a riding or ride on fly mask could help improve your horse’s time under saddle. Generally, these have a less bulky design where the bridle goes to help improve fit. There might also be additional areas of padding to prevent pressure points.

And what about getting the fit right?

With any fly rug or (particularly) fly mask, fit is important. Fly rugs are measured in the same way as turnout and stable rugs, so if you know what your horse normally wears, then it should be easy to get the right size.

Fly masks can come in small, medium and large, or pony, cob and full (and sometimes additional sizes at either end of this range). Some will have guides for measuring, but if you know the size of your horse’s headcollar or bridle this should give you a good starting point.

Because many fly masks have fastening straps, typically with Velcro, there’s generally a bit of adjustment available. But remember, if your mask doesn’t fit well there’s a chance it could obscure your horse’s vision if it slips or moves. Take time to ensure you’ve got a really well fitting product before you leave your horse unattended.

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