sweet itch rugs

Although it has not been the sunniest summer since records began this hasn’t stopped the accursed plague of flies and insects causing problems for our equine friends. For those horses that are particularly susceptible to insect or midge bites a horrific conditions called Sweet Itch may develop. We recommend a holistic approach to dealing with this condition from lotions, feed supplements and repellents, but prevention is better than cure. By far the best way to stop sweet itch is to stop your horse being bitten by insects in the first place. One of the most effective ways to ensure this is through the use of protective gear such as horse fly sheets or horse fly rugs, horse fly masks, also sometimes referred to as sweet itch rugs.

As well as preventing your horse from getting bitten by midges, a horse fly rug or sweet itch rug can protect your horse from injury should it try to rub itself. This will prevent nasty raw skin conditions and will in time help to ensure that any distress that the horse may have been suffering from is alleviated. The horse will calm down and revert to its normal behaviour.

So what is a horse fly sheet or horse fly rug?

A horse fly rug or horse fly sheet is a lightweight rug fabricated from a fine mesh which offers protection to any horse or pony out in the field from flies, insects and midges during the summer. There is a bewildering choice of horse fly rugs on the market and whilst each horse fly sheet may vary in feature, fabrics and of course price, it is important whichever model of horse fly sheet you go with, to aim to cover as much of your horse or pony as possible. As such many fly rugs will also (compared with a standard horse turnout rug) cover the horse’s belly and may also cover the neck. Many horse rugs include the neck cover in the overall design of the fly sheet, whilst others may have this as an attachment. There are many horse sheets available which incorporate these important additional protections; the WeatherBeeta Airflow Mesh Combo and WeatherBeeta Original Fly Shield being just two such horse fly sheets.

If you want complete protection for your horse, then no fly rug kit is complete without a horse fly mask. The development of horse fly masks has given your horse perhaps the greatest protection from horse flies, insects and midges. While a horse fly rug or horse fly sheet may protect the horses main body, the face is one of the most sensitive areas on a horse and equally one of the most targeted by insects. In particular midgets and insects tend to be attracted to the moisture in a horse’s eye and have even been know to lay their eggs there. This causes not only great discomfort to the horse but alarm to the owner as the larvae hatch. The horse fly mask is also good for preventing insects getting into the horses ears; being particularly of benefit to horses who are liable to pick up ear infections.

Whilst you are not going to be able to go out hacking with your horse in its full fly rug kit, it will provide the horse with protection during those hours of the day when your horse is most at risk. When out riding however we have found that the use of a horse fly bonnet, which fits over the horse’s ears and attaching to the bridle is a good deterrent to flies, insects and midges. The horse fly bonnet’s tassels come down over the horse’s forelock so that when the horse moves it head, the tassels sway from side-to-side thus deterring any insects or midges from landing on the horse, or if they do, stopping them staying there too long and causing discomfort.

As well as providing you with reviews of those horse fly sheets and horse fly masks, we will also bring you advice on how you can alter your routine, the diet of your horse and use repellents to ensure that you and your horse have a happy and fly free summer!

Visit our products page where you can purchase a selection of horse fly rugs, horse fly sheets and horse fly masks.

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