Shoo Fly Leggings - defective or normal

[GraceLikeRain]

For any other leggings owners, do your stays go to the top of the leggings or 3/4? Mine are 3/4. I didn’t think it would matter but after only a month it’s created a crease, premature wearing, and unfortunately hair rubbing. Conceptually I LOVE these boots so curious if I got a jacked up pair or if that element of the design just isn’t the right fit for her legs for whatever reason.

The professional choice are the same style and have stays that go to the top but the large are snug snug on a beefy 15.3 set of legs. If the 3/4 is standard for shoo fly, I’m open to any other brand recommendations that are a similar style and built for a horse with a lot of bone.

[kaya842]

I think it’s standard. All 8 of the ones I have on my horses now are all creased/ bent about 1/4 way down from the top. But I don’t have any rubbing/ hair loss from it.

[Zevida]

Mine are also creased and worn but I’ve also not had any rubbing or hair loss either. I don’t have one in front of me but I can check tomorrow but I am pretty sure the plastic strip (I assume that’s what you mean by the “stay”?) goes all the way to the top.

[Knubbsy]

I am on my second pair (they last a little less than a full summer season) and neither set had stays that go all the way, there’s a little wiggle room and there is always some bending/creasing. Within two weeks my current set started fraying and the stitching came undone … I wish they held up better.

[LilDunFilly]

I don’t remember by mare’s shoo flys developing a crease or wearing out quickly, but she isn’t rough on her “clothing”. I had her in them basically 24/7 for several months because the flies will bother the scar on her leg.

She has such tiny legs that the smalls were a smidge too big; they went up to her knees and she could wiggle it off her leg if she messed with it just right. I put pull-on gum bell boots underneath so the rim of the fly boots rested on the bell boots. So she never got rubs from the shoo flies.

[GraceLikeRain]

Not sure if this image will upload but this is the type of crease and wear I’m seeing at 2 weeks of 24/7. Im sure they are a lot way from totally failing but it is a little disappointing.

Trying out the professional choice on the front legs since the stays go to the top. I think they are too tight for her hinds so still looking around.

[Danged_Arab]

The stays go all the way to the top on mine. I wonder if it’s because mine are small size and maybe they use the same stays for all sizes? Just guessing. I’m also somewhat surprised and disappointed at the wear, bends, and creases on mine, but they still work great, no rubs or anything.

[cbg]

I got some Warrior fly boots to try since the Shoo Flys don’t seem to last very long. The Warriors are still fairly new so I can’t speak to longevity, but they seem more substantial and the velcro is waaaaaaaaaay better.

[Zevida]

Here’s my guy wearing his. These are probably six months old and worn daily 24x7. They are pretty beat up but still functional.

Confirmed that the plastic edge ends a few inches below the top. He is a big warmblood so wears a larger size.

[Texarkana]

It doesn’t take long for them to bend, crease, and change in shape. How it happens depends on the horse. But I haven’t found it affects their functionality.

I guess I’ve had good luck, but I’ve not had them rub any of my 7 horses and donkeys I’ve used them on. I have had rubs from other brands of fly boots.

I usually get 2 seasons out of a set— by the end of season 1 they look like they have been through a war, but they still work as long as the Velcro still sticks. Once the Velcro starts wearing out, they are done.

I know a lot of people think they should last longer for the price, but considering the price of fly spray, I still think they are a good deal. Have you guys seen the price of fly spray this year?!? It feels like every brand has gone up in price by several dollars.

[LovieBird]

That’s pretty much how mine look as well.

I’ve noticed though, where they collapse/crease inward, I think is causing rubs. So on the hunt for another brand.

[avjudge]

@cbg

I got some Warrior fly boots to try since the Shoo Flys don’t seem to last very long. The Warriors are still fairly new so I can’t speak to longevity, but they seem more substantial and the velcro is waaaaaaaaaay better.

I got some Warriors at Equine Affaire a year and a half ago, and used them last summer. They definitely held up better than our second sets of Shooflies (which did not stand up as well as our first). I haven’t seen them since I packed them away 7+ months ago so my memory of their condition is a little hazy. I suppose I will be pulling them out in the next few weeks.

[ASB_Stars]

I have a set for each horse here, and the damn donkey. The ones for the donk did not come with stays, which was problematic, so I had my repair shop put some in, and that took care of the sinking problem. I take them out to my blanket repair guy, who fixes anything that’s wrong with them. I have had him use the ones that are more damaged to get mesh for the less damaged ones. In the period of time that I have had them, more companies have come up with products that now also have the stays, which was the big advantage with Shoo Fly for a long time. I am looking at the new ones to try and find the next replacements.

[George_T_Mule]

Just FWIW, out of the several brands we have tried over the years, the Cashel fly leggings have provided the best service. If fit properly, and installed carefully, they do stay up just fine as long as the velcro fastenings are intact.
Alas, they are expensive, and I figure they are doing good to last thru a season. Georgie is particularly rough on them, and he generally wears/wears-out every ones “last-seasons” leggings before he gets a new set.