Fly rugs and insect protection measures provide significant welfare benefits for horses by reducing the distress and physical harm caused by biting insects during summer months.
Insect harassment causes sustained and significant distress for horses. During peak fly season, unprotected horses may be harassed continuously for hours, preventing normal grazing, rest, and social behavior. Horses with sweet itch suffer intensely - the itching is severe enough to cause self-mutilation, with horses rubbing themselves raw against fence posts and trees. This chronic condition causes months of suffering each year and can result in serious secondary infections. Appropriate fly protection is not merely a comfort measure but a fundamental welfare necessity during summer months, particularly for sensitive individuals.