I am all for fly masks in the summer and blankets in the cold winters. But really, is this necessary?
It's like a coat of armor. I would give any fly that manages to get under that a gold medal.
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I have to bring this horse in every day and remove this contraption, because he flips out if he's left out alone, and he and Lucy are turned out in paddocks that are close to each other so when I bring her in, I have to bring him in too. He's a nice horse, and I really like his owner, but man I just have no patience for the buckles, clips, belly straps, leg straps, and hooks that his coat of armor requires to have undone before it will come off.
Lucy gets a fly mask and a quick coating of bug spray each day, and that's it. Some days she is a brat about having the fly mask put on so she goes out without it. If she's obnoxious, why should I work harder to make her life easier? No thanks! She can live without it for a day, and hopefully the next day she gets over herself long enough so that the fly mask can go on.
Willie is a super-sensitive sissy princess, so he needs a full coat of armor on the bad buggy days... He won't complain or go nuts, but he DOES get more welts and hives without it.
ReplyDeleteHOWEVER! I do all the straps and buckles myself! So I'm the only one that suffers. :)
The awesome thing about that stuff is the flies just go up underneath and get trapped... causing more irritation than ever before.
ReplyDeleteHorses were designed to withstand flies. I'm all for a fly mask, fly spray, and feed through garlic. Anything more than that is overkill unless you're in the Amazon (or Maine).
Yes, I'm looking at you, Erin.
I agree...WAY overkill. My mare gets fly sprayed, and I plan on buying a new fly mask for the really buggy days, but no more than that. I'm pretty sure she's rather have to deal with the flies then me subjected to that kind of torture.
ReplyDeleteHehehee :) Callie gets a flysheet in the summer with the belly flap- and a flymask. However, I take responsibility for it. She's pretty sensitive to the buggies!
ReplyDeleteHaha, that looks like Jazz. She has super sensitive skin and gets sweet itch so she wears a full fly sheet with fly mask so she can't rub herself raw. It also has the added bonus of not allowing her to get bleached in the sun. It does look like a little overkill, but it's necessary in our case :)
ReplyDeleteAt my old barn there was a retired show horse that would FREAK out in the summer because of the flies. He was never allowed to just be a horse so he has no idea how to deal with flies. He doesn't have the neck wrap, but he gets the mask, sheet, and leg wraps. He was a pain to deal with in the buggy months.
ReplyDeleteYears ago I remember seeing a horse fly "outfit" with what looked like pants underneith the normal sheet. I think it was in a cataloge or magazine. But almost the entire horse was covered. it was crazy looking...
I agree that if it's just because the owner is paranoid, it's just flat out annoying to have that much fly protection.
ReplyDeleteBut actually, there IS a horse at my barn that 's allergic to flies and isn't allowed to go outside without all her flymasks, and about two bottles of fly spray on.
Everyone has good points and I agree, if the horse is sensitive then that's fine. I wouldn't even care either way if I didn't have to take the whole ensemble off every afternoon.
ReplyDeleteMy horses wear the whole shindig in the summer. They are both turned out 24/7. Not only does it protect them from the bugs but it also keeps their coats from fading. Also both mine have access to wooded areas so it helps to protect them from scratches that sticks cause. Just less work for me. I only take it off when I ride or bathe. I don't worry about whether or not I have sprayed them or buying more spray, etc. Although I do spray their legs when I have a chance. I guess its different when you have to take it off a horse that isn't your own :) the love isn't there so you probably don't really give a sh*t about it LOL!
ReplyDeleteI do blankets in the winter when it is COLD. I own a flysheet that is in mint condition, has hardly touched a horse. I have never owned a horse that like wearing clothes. I think it can make them sore over their backs and withers and it is SO much fun when the lightweight stuff gets all tangled up. I try to give them as much time without clothes as possible. Nina gets a fly mask because the flies will eat her ears and all the hair around her eyes...eeeeuuuuuwwww.
ReplyDeleteShe gets fly sprayed with non toxic sprays. (the Avon recipe works as well as Pyranha) Neurological bug killers make me nervous to be around - forget the horse. I am trying garlic this year - I'll let everyone know if it deters a single fly.
Had to post again. When I clicked on the title I was surprised to see a dressed up horse. I thought we were going to talk about green and purple breeches or bouncing out of your tank top... lol
ReplyDeleteGod, that's hilarious! What pain in the *ss. Great pic too! ha ha ha ha
ReplyDeleteI can see it being valuable. Protects the horse from bugs w/o toxic spray (most likely used) and from herd bites, etc.
ReplyDeleteNo other sport with more available options and accessories, that is for sure :)