Not sure why mine aren’t holding up nearly as well as everyone else’s 
but the boning pieces that hold them upright have literally separated:woman_facepalming: prior the this years sets, I was getting two seasons out of them.
1 Like
I have not noticed a reduction in quality. Used them for years.
I’ve always gotten about one season on mine. My horses are turned out in pasture 24/7 with tall grass.
1 Like
I have been buying them for about 3 years now and have not noticed a change in quality. I put them on in April/May and leave them on until November usually. I used to have two sets and swap them out, this year I didn’t because honestly I didn’t have time. I did have one rip but I tried medium and should have stuck with large for my TB. I think the one that ripped was just a hair too small. They look HORRIBLE, dirty, covered in grass stains, fuzzy velcro tabs etc but he doesn’t stomp when they are on. I would say they are worth it and if you can get two sets and swap them out you will likely get 2-3 seasons out of a set.
1 Like
My guy wears them 24/7 May-October. They’re hanging on by a thread at this point in the season. They definitely looked more worn than usual this year. I had the same issue with the boning separation that another poster mentioned.
5 Likes
I bought Shooflys last year and they were destroyed by early September. (Horse lives out 24/7; wears boots M-F because I’m not always available to come out for a daily check on weekends.)
This May, I bought a sketchy knock-off pair via Amazon for half the price. They have held up spectacularly, and I feel confident I can easily get another summer out of them next year.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B09YTXCQMC?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title
3 Likes
I tried Shoofly last year and my mare got them off in 24 hours (because I think she has opposable thumbs?). Then when I put them back on, she tore them up because she has a sense of humor, too.
I tried several knock-offs that lasted longer, but again, equine opposable thumbs.
I’m going to try the LeMieux ones and potentially surgically applying them next year when the flies are so bad.
ETA: Because I’m going on no sleep, I wrote disposable. She probably has those, too.
3 Likes
I am intrigued and like the variety of color options!
I have sworn by Shoo Flys for years. I leave them on 24/7 on my horses who are out as much as possible. They get to looking rough but do the job so well I’m hesitant to change!
3 Likes
Mine too, and somehow even though they are threadbare, they still keep the flies out. I may be able to salvage a couple for next year, but it’s more likely that I just need to buy more. I can’t keep them on one of my geldings, because he takes them off. Like right now. And if I put them on his pasture buddy, he takes his off. He will also take his clothes off if you do not make sure to have the right closures on them. I bought some wonderful Amigo blankets last year, and he took his off, and undressed the other two horses he was with at the time. I got to buy all of them new blankets. Again.
1 Like
At what point do you all consider it time for them to be replaced?
Been using shoofly for a few years and feel the more recent sets I have are of lower quality. Mine wear them 24/7 from April ish to October ish (more or less depending on the bugs). I’ve found that even gently washing them a few times throughout the season will wear the fabric out faster.
All 8 currently in use are still on the legs and mostly stood up, but at least 4/8 have the stays / plastic boning sticking out and could really used replaced. With it being almost the end of the season, I’ll likely buy some in a month or two to break out for next season. I feel like metal would potentially work better than the plastic stays (were shoofly a original made with metal stays?).
2 Likes
When they will no longer stay on the horse, either because the Velcro wore out or they ripped badly. Also, some horses seem to abuse the stays more than others and over time they warp so the boot is barely upright.
Until then, I keep using them no matter how worn and tattered. I save any functional ones regardless of age so I have spares when a boot gets destroyed.
2 Likes
The wonderful guy who repairs my blankets repairs the Shoo Flies for me. We use the ones that aren’t repairable to patch those that are. That’s how I have managed to get mine this far.
2 Likes
So mine look like garbage but are holding pin. The stats are getting questionable though with the bottom third totally open. Has anyone tried like iron on patches? I would think it would melt the plastic woven material but I’m trying to think of something beyond ductape to cover those sections
1 Like
Tale mesh and sew it over the holes. You want them to breathe. You could buy screening at the hardware store. It comes in a material that is firm, but flexible.
2 Likes
My mare wears them 24/7 from May til October. They are still wearable at the end of the summer but they are pretty sorry looking. I buy a new set every year.
1 Like
