Best Fly Boots

[Christa_P]

15.1H TB mare is stomping enough that her shoes are getting loose. After talking to the farrier today I’m ready to order some fly boots and trying to figure out the best option.

She does tend to get a little rowdy in the pasture so they need to stay on through that. The horses are also out in all weather so I’m trying to avoid fleece lining (on the seams) or anything else that is likely to stay wet after the rain or from wet grass. She also wears bell boots so they don’t need go over the hoof.

I was considering something like these:

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/shires-arma-fly-turnout-socks-black-1857-blk-p?cm_vc=-10005

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/shires-arma-fly-turnout-socks-teal-1857-tea-p?cm_vc=-10005

https://www.statelinetack.com/item/tough-1-comfort-mesh-fly-boots/E024510/

[imbassetma]

Shoofly boots, hands down are the best. They don’t rub, they let the leg breath. They do run a little big so I’d order the medium for your 15.3. That’s what my 15.3 mare wears.

[Tucker5]

Afriend of mine purchased these a few weeks ago. She’s been very happy with them although her horse is pretty easy on stuff. They feel fairly durable while appearing to have the best airflow of all the boots.

https://www.sstack.com/mosquito-mesh-non-fitted-fly-boots-set-of-4/p/39077/

[beowulf]

I bought the ARMA turnout socks a few weeks ago.

Pluses: they are sturdily made, with iron-grip velcro, and they stay on very well.

Minuses are they do not stay upright, twist and sag, they seem a bit “hot” (cotton mesh type with fleece lining), they run very small (horse size is comically small on my horse sized TB) and they gave the TB a rub.

I didn’t return them and they’re perfectly fine for short term, but I will be going back to Cashel and won’t buy them again. I only bought the Armas because they didn’t have Cashel in stock when I went to the store.

I’ve had great luck with Cashel although they don’t tend to last more than a season… but my horses are out 24/7 and they wear them 24/7 as well.

I agree with another poster that Shooflys are the gold standard. I like them but I’m holding out until they get better colors.

[SaddleUp158]

Shoofly, hands down the best fly boots I have bought. They are difficult for horses to get off and one set lasts me all of fly season. Then I hang on to the previous year’s boots as a back up in case it is needed for the next year…I have yet to use the back up! Lol, always have given them away to the pasture ponies and they continue to wear the “old pair”.

[B-burg_Dressage]

Shoofly.

Mine are in their second year of daily use. Velcro is still iron and they still do their job. Starting to wear, may need a new set next year. I agree on the medium.

[Christa_P]

Thank you everyone for the quick input.

Shoofly boots just ordered.

[Jo]

@Christa_P

Shoofly boots just ordered.

I was coming here to say this. My mares wear theirs 24/7 and they last at least a season.

[LovieBird]

The shoofly boots are great, I just wish they lasted longer. But my horse is out 24/7, so maybe that has something to do with it.

[SharonA1]

What color?

[phantomhorse]

@LovieBird

The shoofly boots are great, I just wish they lasted longer. But my horse is out 24/7, so maybe that has something to do with it.

What has been not lasting on your boots?

Mine are on their 3 season (on 24/7 from roughly may until october, full turnout) and are finally giving out. Now I am worried I just got lucky and the ones I have ordered to replace them won’t do as well…

[seabreeze]

I get about one season out of my Shoo-fly boots. The Velcro on one of the new ones I bought this year is giving out. Every day the horse comes in without that one.

[pony_baloney]

Shoo Fly. My pony lives out 24/7 and his are on their second season. I did have a problem with rubbing sores from the top edge of them last year but this year he seems OK. In places where the stiff support part is, the mesh looks a bit weak where it bends and creases around it. But they stay upright and on, are fairly easy to get the dried mud off the lining around the bottom, and the velcro is still holding.

My pony looks like he’s wearing orange traffic cones, but if one should come off it should be easy to spot.

[Christa_P]

Blue. I didn’t like the orange or pink.

[LovieBird]

The plastic stays on either side that hold the boot up start to bow out and then they start rubbing on the opposing leg and the mesh gets worn down. The stiches that hold the velcro onto the boot seem to get weak too. I’ve tried to fix it, but those things are hard to sew!

I will say though, I haven’t had any trouble with rubs and he has never taken them off.

[endlessclimb]

Another vote for shoofly. Got a bunch of the people at the barn to get sets. I have to be careful with the hinds on my mare, as she’s prone to cellulitis and even superficial rubs can cause flare ups. Touch wood, no issues this year, and she’s only needed one “break” from the hinds for about a week to let her skin settle down

[shall]

@LovieBird

The plastic stays on either side that hold the boot up start to bow out and then they start rubbing on the opposing leg and the mesh gets worn down. The stiches that hold the velcro onto the boot seem to get weak too. I’ve tried to fix it, but those things are hard to sew!

I will say though, I haven’t had any trouble with rubs and he has never taken them off.

The stays used to be a thin metal that wore better. My two still are wearing them, and I expect a set to last a season.

[CindyCRNA]

The orange make them really easy to find in the pasture. I have 2 guys in them and in 2+ months I have only had one come off.

[Jo]

@CindyCRNA

The orange make them really easy to find in the pasture. I have 2 guys in them and in 2+ months I have only had one come off.

Was coming to say this. I got blue at first and have since changed to orange. The blues are very difficult to find in the pasture! I will only get orange or hot pink from now on.

[bdj]

@beowulf

I agree with another poster that Shooflys are the gold standard. I like them but I’m holding out until they get better colors.

I haven’t tried them yet, but Chick’s has a knockoff that comes in more colors (and are slightly cheaper than the real ShooFlys): https://www.chicksaddlery.com/rugged-ride-stay-up-ii-fly-leggings-boots-set-of-4
My ShooFlys are on year two and the hinds are looking a little bit saggy, but stay on and up just fine.
And I third or fourth the sentiments on blue - I like the color, but darn, they’re a pain to hunt down in the grass! Totally seeing the value in the obnoxious pink or orange now…
Part of my not picking up a set of the Chick’s ones is because I can’t decide on a color - the pink is kind of awful, but would be so easy to find if they got lost, but maybe the grey or light blue would be easier to find in the grass than the dark blue ones (whilst being easier on my eyes than the pinks)…