5 Reasons You Should Use a Fly Rug and a Fly Mask on Your Horse

Horse owners welcome the arrival of summer.

Dark nights and freezing temperatures are replaced with warm evening rides in beautiful countryside. However, just as horses need protection from the wet and cold in the winter, they also need protection from the sun and the flies in summer.

Fighting off flies in the summer can sometimes feel like a difficult task. Protecting your horse with a fly rug and a fly mask can offer complete protection to keep them happy and healthy. 

Here our 5 reasons you should use a fly rug and fly mask on your horse this summer:

Saliva from biting flies and gnats can cause allergic reactions, which are itchy and generally unpleasant for your horse. “Sweet itch,” a severe form, is caused by an allergic reaction to the saliva of Culicoides midges that leads to severe itching, hair loss and, sometimes, scarring. The WeatherBeeta Sweet Itch Shield Combo Neck offers head to tail protection with an elasticared and adjustable belly wrap, full wrap tail flap, and elastic ear hood. It provides protection from UV rays, sun bleaching, parasites and insects avoiding irritation and skin allergies.

Certain types of flies, including blowflies and screwworm flies, lay eggs directly on wounds. The hatching larvae invade the injured tissue and feed on it. If left untreated, it can be deadly. The WeatherBeeta ComFiTec Airflow II Combo Neck is made from a soft and durable polyester mesh that keeps your horse cool while protecting from insects. The elastic insert at wither and traditional side gussets allow excellent freedom of movement to allow your horse to graze and roam naturally.

Just like humans, horses need protection from ultraviolet rays. Fly rugs and fly masks act like sunscreen. This helps decrease coat bleaching in dark horses and protects from sunburn and skin cancers in light-colored horses and those with areas of pink skin. The WeatherBeeta Deluxe Fly Mask with Nose & Ears contains everything you need to keep your horse free of insects while protecting against harmful UV rays. 

Photosensitivity is a sun-related skin injury triggered by chemical imbalances in the horse’s body. These imbalances may be caused by certain plants, drugs or liver disease. It affects both pigmented and unpigmented areas. Protect the white areas on your horse’s face with the WeatherBeeta ComFiTec Fine Mesh Mask with Ears & Nose. It is made from fine mesh that allows for full vision and provides over 60% UV block.

Many fly repellents contain pesticides, which act as a neurotoxin in insects. They are nontoxic to most mammals, however fish and other forms of aquatic life are sensitive to their effects, and some birds can be affected as well. The WeatherBeeta ComFiTec 600D/Mesh Combo Neck is a perfect all-rounder waterproof fly rug. It features a tough 600D ripstop waterproof upper panel to keep your horse dry in unpredicatble showers with a mesh lower to allow airflow for comfort.