{"id":2561,"date":"2025-03-03T17:02:13","date_gmt":"2025-03-03T17:02:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.citrus-lime.com\/rbe\/?p=2561"},"modified":"2025-03-03T17:02:14","modified_gmt":"2025-03-03T17:02:14","slug":"fly-rugs-and-fly-masks-a-jargon-buster-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.citrus-lime.com\/rbe\/fly-rugs-and-fly-masks-a-jargon-buster-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"A guide to fly rugs & fly masks"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Flies are the bane of many a horse owner\u2019s life. Just as the temperatures start to climb, the days get longer, and if you\u2019re really lucky the ground starts to dry, the flies appear. At best, these are irritating, but at worse they can cause problems for horses in lots of different ways. Luckily, there are products available to help support the horse with fly season, and in this jargon buster we\u2019re going to zero in on fly rugs and fly masks.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Anti-rub lining <\/span><\/b>– many fly rugs have full neck designs to offer more comprehensive protection, but this can, in some cases, lead to rubs on the horse\u2019s mane where the neck and rug join. Some fly sheets have a specially designed anti rub lining to help prevent or reduce this.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Belly flap <\/span><\/b>– 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.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Bridleway Metabug Fly Sheet featuring a belly flap <\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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Binding <\/span><\/b>– many fly masks have binding around the edges to ensure there\u2019s a soft and comfortable fabric strip between the mesh and the horse\u2019s face, to help prevent rubs.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Breathable<\/span><\/b> \u2013 fly masks and fly rugs are usually fully breathable or have breathable parts to prevent the horse from getting too hot and sweaty when he\u2019s wearing them.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

\"A<\/a><\/p>

Bug-eye<\/span><\/b> \u2013 we\u2019re seeing more fly masks with a \u2018bug eye\u2019 design. This means that the mask has been crafted to have mesh domes around the eyes, giving that bug look, but it also provides additional room around the horse\u2019s eyes for comfort.<\/span><\/p>

This horse is wearing a\u00a0LeMieux Bug Relief Half Fly Mask<\/a><\/strong>. The bug eye design here gives freedom and visibility around the horse’s eyes.\u00a0 <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Fine mesh <\/span><\/b>– fly masks for horses can be made of a range of different sized mesh, but you tend to see \u2018fine mesh\u2019 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\u2019s face.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Fly Fringe <\/span><\/b>– fly fringes are made from long stripes of fabric that go do\"A<\/a>wn over the horse\u2019s eyes, a bit like an extended forelock. These can be fastened onto a headcollar or used as a standalone item, but they should have a quick release element to prevent injury in the field.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

This grey is wearing a Saxon Fly Fringe<\/a><\/strong> which is adjustable and easy to attach, without having to use a headcollar.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Fly Socks <\/span><\/b>– if your horse gets bothered by flies around his legs, then fly socks (also called fly boots or fly wraps) could help. Make sure these are highly breathable and well-fitting as you want to ensure the horse\u2019s legs stay cool and he stays comfortable when he\u2019s wearing them.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Fly Veil or Fly Bonnet <\/span><\/b>– 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\u2019s ears.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Hybrid fly rug<\/span><\/b> \u2013 if you\u2019re 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! These usually have a waterproof top section to help keep the rain off the horse\u2019s back, but with mesh sides to ensure comfort and maximum air flow.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Nose protection <\/span><\/b>– some fly masks have additional sections that provide a mesh cover over the horse\u2019s 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.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Pull on<\/span><\/b> \u2013 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.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Riding fly mask<\/span><\/b> \u2013 as the flies don\u2019t take a break when you go and ride, a riding or ride on fly mask could help improve your horse\u2019s 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.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

UV Protection<\/span><\/b> \u2013 this won\u2019t help keep the flies away, but it will offer protection from the sun\u2019s rays which can cause burning and, in some cases, can also bleach the horse\u2019s coat.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Weatherbeeta Comfitec Essential Mesh II offering UV protection<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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Waterproof fly rugs<\/span><\/b> \u2013 as per the hybrid fly rug description, 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.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Getting the fit right\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>

With any fly rug or fly mask, fit is important. Fly rugs are measured in the same way as turnout and stable rugs, so if you know your measurements, then it should be easy to get the right size. Masks can come in small, medium and large, or pony, cob and full (and sometimes additional sizes at either end of this range).<\/span><\/p>

Some masks have guides for measuring, but thinking about the size of your horse\u2019s headcollar or bridle should give you a good starting point. Also, because many fly masks have fastening straps, there\u2019s a little bit more adjustment available if needed.<\/span><\/p>

Fly rugs and fly masks can really help your horse cope with the flies this summer, but don\u2019t forget to also look at the management side too, to improve your horse\u2019s turnout time even more.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

If you need some help picking the right fly rug or fly mask for your horse, come and see us in store, give us a call (01908 365 335) or contact us here<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/p>

Ready to start looking?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>