Protect Your Horse From Flies, Heat and Harmful UV Rays This Summer

Summer turnout musts: Use these strategies to combat pesky and disease-carrying insects and to make sure your horse is cool and comfortable throughout the season.

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Summer is almost here, and with it comes heat and humidity, along with pesky flying and biting insects. Protecting your horse from these pests and keeping him cool and comfortable during summer turnout is crucial for his health throughout the season. Fortunately, there are a number of products you can employ to make your horse’s summer turnout time more enjoyable—and to help you worry less about his well-being.

Besides being annoying, biting insects can carry infectious diseases, trigger allergies and cause excessive stomping which can lead to injury or poor hoof quality, so minimizing bugs is key.

Protecting your horse from annoying and disease-carrying insects and keeping him cool and comfortable during summer turnout is crucial for his health throughout the season. (Pictured here: WeatherBeeta’s ComFiTec Hexi Shield fly sheet and neck combo.) Courtesy WeatherBeeta

While fly spray can help, its duration is limited and can wear off over time, especially during heavy sweating. In this case, fly sheets, masks and boots are your next line of defense against biting insects. These fly barriers also have the bonus of protecting your horse from harmful UV rays, which can cause a sun-bleached coat or sunburn on pink- or sensitive-skinned horses.

Fly Sheets

There are a variety of fly sheets on the market, and finding one that’s lightweight and breathable but also durable is key to keeping your horse cool and protected during the summer heat.

Look for a fly sheet that’s lined at the shoulders and tail for durability, and make sure it has shoulder gussets to provide maximum range of movement to prevent shoulder rubs. Many fly sheets, such as those from Weatherbeeta, are made with 210T lining, which is a ripstop fabric with quality structure that also dries quickly.

Some fly sheets have a built-in or detachable neck cover to help protect the neck area from biting insects. (Featured here: WeatherBeeta ComFiTec Airflow II with a detachable neck cover.) Courtesy WeatherBeeta

Depending on your horse’s needs and tolerance to heat, some fly sheets have a built-in neck cover or detachable neck cover to help protect the neck area from biting insects. A wide belly wrap is key to protecting the sensitive underbelly where gnats (also called no-see-ums) love to bite, while fleece at the withers can help minimize rubbing. Fly sheets offer up to 95% UV protection depending on the material, so pay attention to that factor if sun protection is one of your concerns.

Fly sheets are available in various meshes. The type of mesh you choose will depend on your horse’s tolerance to heat as well as how rough he tends to be on his clothing, but keep in mind that the thinner the mesh, the less UV protection it will provide. Research has shown that patterns create an optical illusion to flies which deters them from landing. A wild-patterned fly sheet may not be everyone’s taste, but it could provide a little more armor in protecting your horse from flies.

For horses who are especially prone to sweet-itch on their bellies, provide extra protection with a belly wrap. (Pictured here: WeatherBeeta ComFiTec Ripshield Plus with a belly wrap and detachable neck cover.) Courtesy WeatherBeeta

While most fly sheets dry quickly, if rain rot or other skin fungus is an issue for your horse, consider a sheet with a waterproof lining over the topline like the WeatherBeeta ComFiTec Dual Shield with a detachable neck cover. Its 600 denier ripstop waterproof upper panel helps keep rain off your horse’s back and it has a lower open-weave mesh for increased airflow to keep him cool in warmer weather. If your horse is prone to sweet itch—an allergic reaction to the bites of Culicoides midges—consider a special sweet-itch sheet like the Weatherbeeta ComFiTec Sweet Itch Shield Combo Neck.

Fly Masks & Boots

Fly masks can be a lifesaver in the summer for sensitive horses and those prone to melanoma. Made with or without ears covers, the choices can be daunting, but the best choice is the one your horse will keep on! From zippers to single and double hook-and-loop closures to pull-on styles, fly masks are available in many options, so find one that’s best for your horse’s lifestyle.

Fly masks like WeatherBeeta’s ComFiTec Deluxe Fine Mesh Fly Mask, pictured here with ears, will protect your horse’s face, eyes and ears from flies and provide UV protection. Courtesy WeatherBeeta

Masks with raised mesh over the eyes, such as the WeatherBeeta Comfitec Luxe Bug Eye Saver Fly Mask, pictured here with ear and nose covers, is a great option for horses with sensitive eyes. Courtesy WeatherBeeta

If your horse has sensitive eyes, fly masks with raised see-through mesh over the eye area provides unobstructed visibility while also protecting his eyes from flies and UV rays. UV protections also range, so be sure to choose the right amount for your horse’s needs. Some fly masks come with an extended or detachable nose cover to protect horses with sensitive pink muzzles.

If you ride your horse with a fly mask or turn them out in a halter, the Weatherbeeta ComFiTec Hexi Shield Dual Fly Mask has an attachment with an emergency release mechanism.

Fly boots or wraps like the WeatherBeeta ComFiTec Hexi Sheild Fly Wraps will protect the sensitive skin on your horse’s lower legs and help reduce stomping. Courtesy WeatherBeeta

If your horse’s legs are also sensitive to biting insects, fly boots or wraps are another option to keep him covered from head to hoof. WeatherBeeta’s ComFiTec Hexi Shield Fly Wraps feature a nylon fabric that reflects sunlight, protects from UV rays and contours around the legs. Again, the type of mesh will depend on what your horse requires. Look for sturdy enclosures to ensure the boots stay on during turnout.

Summer Turnout Tips

Once your horse is outfitted in appropriate fly gear, there are additional ways to manage his comfort during the summer heat.

Fly management for your horse and in the barn is key. Fly sprays and other topicals can deter flies using a vapor barrier or natural or synthetic insecticides. If your horse regularly works up a sweat or you bathe him often, you’ll have to reapply any topical.
Feed-through supplements have shown promise in lowering the fly population around a barn. Some contain ingredients that safely pass through the horse’s system into their manure to prevent fly larvae and pupa from developing, while others include apple cider vinegar or garlic to make horses less unappealing to flies.
Sprinkling Fly Predators® around manure piles and near barns can help keep certain types of flies at bay. These wasps kill developing flies before they hatch without harming horses or people.

Provide access to shady areas and/or offer shelter with a run-in shed for relief from the sun. ©Amy K. Dragoo

Turn your horse out at dusk or overnight (if possible) when the temperatures are cooler and the sun isn’t as strong, but keep an eye out for evening thunderstorms.
Provide access to shady areas and/or offer shelter with a run-in shed for relief from the sun.
Make sure your horse has access to clean, cool water and check the trough often for algae and dirt.
If your horse has Cushing’s disease or tends to maintain a longer coat throughout the summer, consider clipping to keep him cool and prevent overheating.
If your horse is showing signs of heat stress, such as rapid breathing, lethargy or a high temperature, move him to shade immediately and cool him down with water and a fan.
If your horse suffers from anhidrosis (a condition that causes some horse to sweat less or stop sweating altogether in hot and humid weather), check with your vet to determine if he might benefit from supplements, other nutrition-based approaches or alternative remedies, that can help control anhidrosis symptoms. (Click here for more advice on how to manage anhidrosis in horses.)
On the other hand, if your horse sweats heavily throughout the summer, you might consider giving him electrolytes to help replenish vitamins or minerals lost through sweat. Electrolyte supplementation can also encourage your horse to drink more water, which will help rebalance his fluids and ensure proper digestion.

For more tips on creating an effective fly-control program for your horse and barn, click here.