My horse is on 24/7 turnout, and I used Cashel fly boots on him last year. Unfortunately they rubbed his legs raw (Mr. thin skin). Is anyone aware of a “softer” fly boot that could be left on for an extended period of time (morning to late afternoon/early evening) with minimal rubbing? The flies are not only leaving his legs bloody, but he’s kicking at his legs to get them off and is starting to gash himself…
TIA!
Could you wrap his legs with polos or put him in shipping boots? OR, are you in a position to keep him stalled during the day and turned out at night?
eta: just re-read your post about 24-7 turnout, so keeping him up during the day wouldn’t work. Tube socks underneath the fly boots?
Polos would be pretty hazardous in a 24/7 pasture turnout situation. Tube socks - that’s an idea. But I wonder how snug they would have to be to stay up?
I just bought a set from SmartPak for my old OTTB, he is prone to summer sores. They are working great, no rubs, and Velcro is really strong. They are silver mesh with a soft breathable lining, SmartPak brand .
Horseware came out with some pretty soft ones. I haven’t used them, but they seem nice.
Somebody makes a non-stocking-up sock. I think Schneiders had it in their catalog. Not too expensive.
Kensington fly boots. Love them and HATED the Cashels. My horse where’s them 24/7 - no rubs.
[QUOTE=silverdog;8692620]
Kensington fly boots. Love them and HATED the Cashels. My horse where’s them 24/7 - no rubs.[/QUOTE]
Kensington convert here, too.
Try the Summer Whinnys
http://www.soxforhorses.com/
I don’t know if they work, but I’m going to get some for my old guy who’s on turnout most of the time. I check him once a day, so monitoring them won’t be a problem.
They look better than Cashels, anyway.
I’m not sure the sox are ok for turnout.
I use the Kensington fly boots but remove the plastic stick from the side. They still stay put–good velcro-- but are softer.
I did not like the Kensingtons - they slid down and bunched at the ankle.
This was on a horse who was very active in the pasture - they may work better with a quieter one.
Also, someone suggested using no turn bell boots with fly boots to help them stay up. That idea may work too.
I haven’t tried the sox, as I said, but for my old horse, on full but restricted area turn out and monitored daily, I’m hoping they will work.
The Summer Whinny “Sox” do not stay up, don’t wast your money or time with those. Plus they are a huge pain to get on and off.
So far my favorite boots have been the Kensingtons and the “Original Fly Boots”. I wish more companies would invest in the need for safe summer leg wear as I too have a horse who needs to have his legs covered.
This summer I am going to be trying Stomp Stoppers which are kind of like Shoofly Leggings. Tube like, but don’t make as much direct contact with the leg so I HOPE are more breathable and less prone to rub…otherwise I’ll be back to using the above.
My thin-skin TBs all wear the Kensington fly boots from dawn til dusk. I haven’t had a rub in 5 years! I love them.
Im using the sox on my mare with a leg wound right now.
They are easy to get on her, and so far they stay up for about a day to a day and a half.
You are supposed to pull them up once a day and run through the dryer every couple days.
For my purpose I mostly like them, although she has little holes in them already. You have to put the hoof in a plastic bag to put them on, which mine does not care about at all but some may not like.
Sounds like the Kensingtons may be worth a try. I was also looking at someone else’s thread (6/10/16) that mentioned Shoofly Leggins. Interesting concept, but I can’t figure out what would keep flies from going in the top of the wraps?
I’ve heard many people say they have no problems with flies going down the top. Only word of caution with the Shoofly’s is if your horse does not have upright pasterns, they likely will not fit right.
ive washed the kensingtons several times and they are quite soft and bendable. I keep the top Velcro fairly tight And they stay up just fine
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