Fly rugs are lightweight, mesh rugs designed to keep flies at bay and provide protection from insect bites. Some also feature UV protection to limit coat bleaching. Many horse owners find fly rugs useful in the summer to keep their horse/pony more comfortable and better protected if they’re bothered by flies.
Have you ever looked at the forecast in the summer to discover it’s going to be bright sunshine one minute and rain showers the next? If you live in the UK chances are this is a regular occcurance! It’s also a complete pain when it comes to choosing which rug to put on your horse for the day, do they need a fly rug or a turnout?
That’s where rugs like the Shires Highlander Plus Waterproof Fly Rug come in to their own. They combine the two; part fly sheet, part turnout rug. The waterproof upper will protect your horse from rain showers whilst the mesh sides wrap around to keep flies out.
We asked one of our customers who purchased this Shires Waterproof Fly Rug two months ago to tell us what they think of it, and if there’s any downsides to this particular rug.
Why did you opt for this fly rug?
I wanted a fly rug that was waterproof but would also keep the flies off.
What are the best features of the Shires Highlander Plus Waterproof Fly Rug?
I love how breathable the rug is, especially in hot weather. I was concerned with how bright the rug was about attracting the heat, but even on the hottest days it has been breathable and not caused a sweat. I love the belly flap as I have never had a fly rug before and it has really helped prevent fly bites. It fits really well, and has stopped the flies bothering my horse.
Are there any downsides to this Shires Fly Rug?
I didn’t like that the fillet string was attached at both ends, in the end I cut it off and replaced it with a PVC one to make it easier to clean it regularly.
Would you recommend this waterproof fly rug to a friend?
Yes, although I would have preferred it if it came in a lighter top colour to reflect the heat better.
Buy the Shires Highlander Plus Waterproof Fly Rug
This impressive fly rug was definitely a winner for our reviewer. It offers a great list of features for the price, including:
- Waterproof and breathable upper section
- 600D ShireTex ripstop upper
- Fast drying mesh lower
- Belly flap
- Shoulder gussets
- Shires branding
For more information click the image below to view this rug on our website or head to our store to see it on display and chat to a member of our team for more advice.
