Hey there! As a horse owner, I totally feel your pain when it comes to dealing with those pesky flies. It’s the worst feeling in the world to arrive at the barn only to find your horse kicking and tossing his head around, completely distracted by those buzzing insects. And let’s be real, trying to tack up a horse who’s in that kind of mood can be a real nightmare!
But don’t worry, there are tons of different products on the market that can help protect your horse from fly bites and make your life a whole lot easier in the process.
In this article, I’ll be sharing with you all of the different types of fly protection gear that I’ve either tried out myself, or are top picks on Amazon.
To make sure that you’ve got all your bases covered for complete fly protection, be sure to also check out my recommendations for fly repellents to purchase and DIY recipes made with natural ingredients.
With all of these tools at your disposal, you can be confident that you and your horse will be able to enjoy a fly-free season together.
So let’s dive in and get started!
Essential Gear to protect your horse’s face, body, and legs
Let’s start with the most important thing first: protecting your horse. At the stable where I go, there are at least 150 horses. I always take a look around to see what other horses are wearing and try to learn from the most caring horse owners. Although I’m sometimes unsure whether a horse likes to be covered from head to hooves with gear, I have to admit that last winter in Dubai, I completely changed my mind after watching several horses trying to comfort themselves by rolling on the ground to get a good coat of sand.
Fly protection gear comes in countless forms and materials. Choosing the lightest textures and the highest quality fabrics is definitely the best option for your horses to fight flies and other insects.
Fly masks
Fly masks as well, do not make an exception. They come in all colors and cuts.
From my personal point of view the easiest to put on and easier to remove are the ones provided with straps that offer ears and eyes protection. Especially if you have a forward horse that doesn’t stay still for a single second, this may be the best option for you.
I got this Harrison Howard fly mask for my horse Yazan and I absolutely love it. Is the perfect size for Arabian horses and as a plus it creates the perfect color match with his teal bell boots.
The metal mesh is resistant and flexible at the same time. I can easily wash it with a brush for clothes, glycerine soap and water.
Same solution with added protection for the snoots: TGW Full face fly mask
If you are looking for a mask that you can ride with, you may want to get a one piece mask. These masks may just take a little more time to put on but act like a second skin on your horse head that not only protects him from flies but also from UV. Made with elastic fabric, they are made to be worn for a long time and are a perfect solution to cover horses with pink skin on the forehead. For these kinds of masks you may want to select the correct size as if your horse is too big or too small it will never fit as desidered.
I’m sure english riders would appreciate also a great ear net by HORZE
Or some other cheaper option with the same results (and more color options to match the rest of your tack): Wildrace Ear Bonnet
Fly sheets
A fly sheet for horses is a lightweight sheet made from mesh or other breathable material that covers the horse’s body from the neck to the tail. A fly sheet is one of the most efficient fly protection gear that you can get for your horse. The fly sheet is designed to keep flies and other insects away from the horse’s skin, reducing the risk of bites and irritation. Some fly sheets also offer additional features such as UV protection, waterproofing, and anti-bacterial properties. Fly sheets are commonly used during the summer months (winter months in the region) when fly populations are at their peak.
I found two very good options on Amazon. The first one is an inexpensive choice with good reviews. It’s a great option if you want to try it on your horse and see if he’s comfortable with it before committing to a fancier one. The second option is from Horze, and different sizes are available for both of them.
Personally, I do not use a fly sheet on my horse. I do not have a specific reason for this; I guess I just prefer to see him free and without any cover.
Heavyduty horse fly sheet:
At a very inexpensive price compared to other fly sheets on the market, this product is a great option for those who want to try it out without breaking the bank. Plus, with good reviews on Amazon, you can trust that this product has been tried and tested by other horse owners.
Made by Horze, this fly sheet is designed to provide the ultimate protection and comfort for your horse. Constructed from a lightweight and breathable fabric, this fly sheet features a combination of mesh and nylon to keep your horse cool and comfortable on even the hottest days. It also has UV protection to shield your horse’s skin and coat from the damaging effects of the sun.
Fly boots
Fly boots are a type of fly protection gear worn on a horse’s lower legs to protect against biting insects. They typically cover the horse’s lower legs from the knee or hock down to the pastern and fetlock area.
Fly boots are generally made from lightweight and breathable materials such as mesh or nylon to keep the horse’s legs cool and comfortable. Available in a variety of styles and designs. Some fly boots have adjustable straps or closures to ensure a secure fit, while others are slip-on or pull-on in design. In my personal opinion, designs with straps are better than pull-on models because they are easier to remove. If you ride your horse often, you don’t want to add the struggle of removing difficult pull-on designs to your routine.
Here’s some good options I found on Amazon.ae:
Harrison Howard Horse Fly Boots:
These fly boots feature a contoured shape that conforms to the shape of your horse’s legs, providing a secure and comfortable fit. They cover the horse’s legs from the knee or hock down to the pastern and fetlock area, providing full coverage against insects.
Made from high-quality and durable materials, these fly boots offer excellent protection and comfort for your horse’s lower legs. The boots are designed to cover the horse’s lower legs from the knee or hock down to the pastern and fetlock area, providing full coverage against flies and other biting insects. Easy to put on and take off, with adjustable straps that ensure a secure and comfortable fit for your horse.
Fly traps for the barn
In addition to fly repellents and fly protection gear, another way to control fly populations is by using fly traps. These traps come in various types, including sticky traps and bait traps, and are designed to attract and capture flies. By strategically placing fly traps around the stable or pasture, we can help reduce the number of flies that bother our horses.
Another crucial aspect of fly control is maintaining a clean stable. Flies are attracted to dirty environments, so it’s essential to keep the stall or barn area clean and tidy. This includes regularly removing manure and soiled bedding, as well as sweeping up any debris that could attract flies. There are also specialized cleaning products designed specifically for stable use, such as disinfectants and odor eliminators, which can help keep the environment clean and hygienic.
Personally, I have found that using a combination of fly traps and cleaning products has been highly effective in keeping my horses comfortable and fly-free.
These are some interesting products that I found to help maintain a safe and clean environment to protect your horse against flies:
Fly protection gear is essential for keeping your horse healthy and comfortable during the winter months in the region. With so many options on the market, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. However, by investing in high-quality fly masks, fly sheets, and boots, you can protect your horse from annoying insects and prevent the risk of bites and irritation. Don’t forget to also consider natural repellents and homemade recipes to supplement your gear. As horse owners, it’s our responsibility to provide the best care for our equine friends, and fly protection gear is an important part of that care. So, get out there and enjoy a fly-free winter with your beloved horse!
Thanks for reading! Do you have any other effective methods or tools for controlling flies? Let me know in the comments below which one you think is the must-have tool to fight flies.
