Best Fly Boots for Horses

Flies pester horses all the time, and if you want to protect yours, then you may want to invest in some fly horse boots.

These are like footless socks that go over your horse’s legs and keep them safe from flies. Keeping flies away from your horse is crucial, as flies often lay eggs that get into the horse’s digestive system and produce what are called summer sores.

We are going to show you what kind of boots you should look for and then review some of the best ones on the market.

Our Top Picks:

Brand Professionals Choice Fly Boots Kensington Horse Fly Boots Roma Mesh Leg Wraps
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Why Are Flies So Hard to Get Rid Of?

Those pesky flies are tough to eliminate. You can set fly traps, use the fly swatter and use other methods of dealing with them, but you will likely always have flies buzzing around your horses.

You can do things to slow them down and decrease their numbers, but they will likely pester your horse every day.

That’s because they reproduce so quickly, and they are attracted to horses. Female horseflies will bite an animal to draw blood before they reproduce. Since they reproduce at a rapid rate, they will be a continuing irritant.

Flies are attracted to the very things your horses create, namely manure. You can do things to make horses less attractive to flies, but they are still going to be a problem you will deal with on a regular basis.

 

Best Rated Fly Boots for Horses Reviewed

We have shown you what to look for, and now we want to share with you some of the best fly boots for horses.

Kensington Horse Fly Boots with Comfortable Fleece Trim

 

While these are a bit expensive for what you get (only two boots), they are very durable and will last you a while. They have some trouble staying up for some horses, but generally fit all horses just fine. While they slip occasionally, they don’t fall off and they will simply need to be adjusted every day or so. These boots by Kensington come with powerful protection against UV radiation and reduce a lot of irritation to your horse.

Pros

  • Very durable.
  • Protects against UV radiation.
  • Made for all sizes of horses.

Cons

  • Only contains one pair.
  • May have trouble staying up.

Professionals Choice Fly Boots

 

You get four boots in a pack with this pick by Professionals Choice. They are lined with fleece and designed to be incredibly comfortable for your horse. You might think that they would make your horse sweaty with all that padding, but that’s not the case at all. The fleece also ensures that the boots stay up and provide a snug fit for most adult horses.

Pros

  • Have no trouble staying up.
  • Very comfortable for your horse.
  • Fit most adult horses.

Cons

  • Kind of expensive.

Roma Mesh Leg Wraps 4-Pack

 

Here is another 4-pack, and it offers incredible value. It’s cheaper than anything we have detailed so far, and yet it stays up very well and lasts for a long time. It also fits most horses very well and provides decent protection against flies and other irritants. These are not as long as some of the other options though, so they leave a bit more of your horse’s leg exposed.

Pros

  • Affordably priced.
  • Lots of value.
  • A great fit for most horses.

Cons

  • A bit on the short side compared to other products.

Shires Airflow Turnout Socks

 

These are one of your least expensive options, and they are also some the lightest and airiest horse boots. They may slip a bit, but they won’t rub and irritate the horse’s legs, so they are a great choice for both protection and comfort.

Pros

  • Very lightweight and comfortable.
  • Will not rub your horse’s legs.
  • Keep horses’ legs cool.

Cons

  • These boots tend to slide down a little bit.

Kensington Natural Horse Fly Boots

 

Here’s another option by Kensington, and this one is made to stay up and be comfortable for your horse. You won’t have to adjust them, since they come with Velcro straps that hold the boots in place. You do only get two boots in this package though, as is with other Kensington products. However, these will last you for a long time and provide great protection for your horse.

Pros

  • Do not slip.
  • Last for a while.
  • Excellent protection.

Cons

  • Kind of pricey.

What to Consider Before You Buy Fly Boots

There are some things we would like you to be aware of and keep in mind as you shop for the best fly horse boots for your horse:

  • Keep It Clean– You need to give your horse a clean area to live in. Dirty stables or barns attract more flies, and you can have your horse wear the boots all day long and still get bit because you are not doing what you can to keep its area clean. The American Association of Equine Practitioners says that cleanliness is one of the best ways to reduce flies around your horse.
  • Durability– Fly horse boots are kind of expensive, and you want to make sure that your investment lasts. That’s why you need to focus on buying durable fly boots rather than something cheap that will wear out quickly.
  • The Fit- Horse boots also need to fit your horse. Most boots are made for adult horses, and if you have a smaller horse, you may need to find something labelled for ponies or small horses. If the fit isn’t right, then you will constantly have to adjust the boot to fit your horse.
  • UV Protection- It is worth considering fly horse boots that will protect from UV radiation. This is something that horses deal with regularly, and you can keep your horse healthier and ensure it lives longer by providing UV protection for it.

What to Avoid

There are some kinds of horse boots that are not worth your money, and we want to list a few things that we think you should avoid when you shop for this kind of product:

  • Rubbing against the Skin- If the horse boot is too tight, then it may irritate your horse’s skin and cause rashes and even lead to infection. You are buying this boot to protect your horse from bites and other things that open up its skin, so why would you buy a boot that causes a similar problem?
  • Dark Boots– Flies are attracted to dark objects, which is why they bite dark horses more than light ones. Most boots are lighter in color, but you need to ensure that you get lights ones to protect your horse.
  • Wrong Size- Some of the boots you find will be too short or too thin for your horse, and you want to be careful about getting something that is the wrong size. Even if the boot is made to fit every type of horse, you need to realize how your horse compares and shop accordingly.
  • Thick Boots- In colder climates, horses may benefit from thick, warm boots to protect them from the cold. However, in most places, something like that can make your horse sweat, and it can irritate your horse and even cause sores, so pay attention to how thick and warm the boots are.

Final Thoughts

You’ve seen our choices for fly horse boots and learned what to look for when you are shopping, so now you can buy any product with confidence. We hope this article helps you to make the smart choice for your house. Remember that not all horses are the same. What may be good for one horse, won’t necessarily fit another one. If your horse happens to dislike the boots you got it, just try another product. You will find at least one boot brand that will fit your horse perfectly.

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