Although their name might suggest that they’re just for protecting your horse from pesky flies, the best fly rugs and sheets will do so much more than that. Like any rug that your horse or pony wears, a decent fly rug needs to be durable, well-fitting and effective. It should ideally offer increased UV protection, plus it should reflect heat to keep your horse cool and comfortable.
As with other types of horse rugs, though, there are a countless number of fly rugs available from a huge array of brands. You might have a horse that’s known as the yard Rug Wrecker, or you may have a super sensitive pony who has to be covered up as soon as the sun starts shining. Whichever horse or pony you have, we take a look at the best fly rugs for 2025 to see you through the summer.
Five of our Favourite Fly Rugs for 2025
Rambo Protector Plus Fly Rug
Redpost Rates:
- Self-repairing fabric
- High coverage
- Detachable neck cover
For horses who can be rough on their rugs in the field, the Rambo Protector Plus is certainly one to consider. Designed and developed by Horseware, it is engineered with a patented self-repairing fabric that is both durable and breathable.
Not only does the Protector Plus fly rug withstand boisterous play in the field, but it also provides superb coverage from pesky bugs and UV rays (65% UV protection). Highlights include an extended hood shape, extra depth over the top of the legs, and an extra-wide belly covering. That’s not forgetting the supersized tail flap, which continues the rug’s protective theme.
Equilibrium Field Relief Fly Rug
Redpost Rates:
- 77% UVA and 90% UVB protection
- Fly-deterring pattern and colours
- High-stretch panel over the neck
This innovative design from Equilibrium Products is made with a host of well-thought-out details to ensure your horse is kept comfortable and fly-free. A close-knit mesh keeps bugs at bay and offers high UV protection while remaining open enough for airflow.
The standout feature of this fly rug is its unique monochrome hexagon pattern, developed after testing found it had half the amount of fly landings when compared to other plain and coloured rugs.
LeMieux Arika Armour-Tek
Redpost Rates:
- Pressure relief system
- Micro mesh
- Patented 2-part skirt
Offering an impressive 85% UV protection, the LeMieux Arika Armour-Tek fly rug is well well-thought-out design that is hard to fault. Its innovative micro mesh provides a second skin fit and stops biting bugs from reaching your horse’s skin, while remaining breathable and lightweight.
Around the bottom of this Arika rug is a patented 2-part skirt; this gives a break in tension around the hemline to allow for your horse’s natural movement. In addition to this, LeMieux have equipped this fly rug with their design-registered 45° angled T-bar front closure, found on their popular Arika turnout rug range. This front fastening distributes pressure to prevent rubbing on the point of the shoulder and across the chest.
WeatherBeeta ComFiTec Sweet Itch Shield
Redpost Rates:
- 90%+ UV rating
- 600 denier ripstop outer
- Wither relief pad
For sensitive horses who need head-to-hoof protection, the WeathetBeeta ComFiTec Sweet Itch Shield Fly Rug is the ultimate layer. This horse rug is made from a strong 600 denier ripstop material that provides protection from summer weather conditions, including UV rays, sun bleaching, parasites and insects, reducing irritation and skin allergies such as sweet itch.
Just because your horse has to be covered up doesn’t mean comfort should be compromised, and WeatherBeeta have made this a priority in their design. A carefully placed relief pad helps to reduce pressure over the withers, and the lined shoulders prevent rubbing and friction. There are also traditional side gussets situated over the shoulders, letting your horse move freely and easily.
Bucas Freedom
Redpost Rates:
- Sun-reflective outer
- ‘Freedom Cut’ slim fit
- Overlap T-bar front closure
A great value horse rug with a vast number of highly innovative and technically advanced features. Part of Bucas’ renowned Freedom Collection, this fly rug is made from a lightweight mesh with Anti-UV and Anti-Insect technology. The breathable mesh is also sun reflective, to prevent the rug from absorbing heat and causing discomfort.
The Freedom Fly Rug has Bucas’ unique T-bar closure to the front – this is a single hook buckle that is concealed by an overlapping Velcro strap to keep it secure. Plus, it is also available in pony sizes.
Buyer’s Guide
Types of fly rugs for horses
There is a type of fly rug for every horse or pony to wear to protect them from bugs and flies, and most are suitable to be worn in the stable as well as the field.
Most horse owners opt towards a traditional mesh fly rug or sheet. These are made of a close-knit material that blocks insects from landing directly on and biting your horse’s skin, but still allows airflow.
For sensitive horses and those prone to seasonal conditions, a sweet itch rug is likely to be more appropriate. Typically, a sweet itch fly rug is made from a breathable material that is extremely closely woven to stop even the smallest of insects from getting through. They also offer more coverage, mostly with wide belly flaps, generous neck covers that sit up and over the ears, and extra-large tail flaps.
If showers are on the forecast but you are worried it is too warm for a lightweight waterproof turnout rug, you could consider a waterproof fly rug. These are very similar to a traditional fly rug, but are a hybrid design that features a shower- or waterproof panel over the back. This keeps your horse’s core areas dry, while the mesh sides maximise ventilation.
How should a fly rug fit?
A fly rug should, like any other horse rug, fit your horse or pony comfortably. It shouldn’t be tight across the shoulders as this may cause rubbing, and there needs to be enough room around the chest and neck to allow your horse to move and graze freely. You also want to avoid a fly rug that is too big, as it may slip back and cause pressure points.
Like all horse rugs, you should regularly remove and check your horse’s fly rug to ensure it is sitting correctly and isn’t causing any discomfort.
Some brands offer ‘size-specific’ fly rugs to accommodate different breeds of horses and ponies. Styles such as the Bucas’ Buzz-Off Big Neck Fly Rug are popular for stallions and breeds of horses that tend to be wider across the shoulders, like Friesians, Andalusians and Draughts, as it allows extra room in all the right places.
Nowadays, there are also purposefully designed petite and pony fly rugs. These feature all the details you would expect from a ‘standard’ size fly rug, but scaled down precisely for ponies.
Features to look for
Besides fit, there are several key features to consider when choosing a fly rug for your horse:
Neck Options: Many fly rugs have either detachable or integrated (combo/fixed) neck covers. These help to protect the mane and neck, an area often susceptible to smaller biting flies and insects.
UV Protection: All fly rugs offer varying levels of UV protection. The higher the UV rating, the more protected the skin and coat are.
Extra Coverage: A lot of modern designs are fly rugs with belly flaps instead of conventional surcingles, and most have oversized tail flaps. These are often targeted areas for flies, so the more you can keep covered, the more comfortable your horse is likely to be.
Colour & Patterns: Some brands have fly rugs in bold colours and patterns, such as zebra print. There has been various research conducted to support this, which suggests that flies are less likely to land on these colours and patterns. Some colours are also chosen as they reflect heat, keeping your horse cool throughout the day.
Choosing the right fly rug can be challenging, but finding the right one can have a huge impact on your horse’s comfort and well-being. Whether you’re dealing with bothersome bugs during the day or midges out in the morning, and with so many options available, it’s all about finding what suits your horse best.
Need some further advice? Our knowledgeable team has years of hands-on experience working with horses of all types and is always here to help. If you’re unsure which rug is right for your horse, get in touch with us today. We’re happy to offer friendly, expert advice to help you find the perfect fit for your four-legged friend. Simply email [email protected], call 01803 812040, or pop into our Totnes Store.
