The best sweet itch rugs can help prevent midges from biting your horse when out in the field. Sweet itch can be a summer nightmare for horse owners. Caused by an allergic reaction to the bite of the midge, sweet itch is an unpleasant itching sensation that leads the horse to bite, scratch or rub at their skin. It most commonly affects the base of the mane and tail.
When it comes to managing a horse or pony with sweet itch, keeping them covered and protected from midges is important. This selection of sweet itch rugs have been designed to provide maximum coverage and help your horse battle those summer irritations.
Best sweet itch rugs: H&H’s quick guide
Best sweet itch rug for a rug-wrecker: Horseware Rambo Hoody
Best rug for UV protection: Premier Equine Sweet Itch Buster
Best value sweet itch rug: Masta Combo
Best protective fly rugs to keep out midges that cause sweet itch
Horseware Rambo Hoody
Colours: Green/sage
Sizes: 5ft 6in – 7ft 3in
Denier: 1000D
UV protection: 90%
RRP: From £159.95
Reasons to buy
- Durable outer denier ideal for rug wreckers
- Offers great coverage
Reasons to avoid
- Higher price point
Providing protection against biting insects, flies and UV rays. Made of a soft and very durable 1000D Polyester with close woven fabric so biting insects can’t get through. Offers maximum protection with extended belly coverage with Velcro closure and three cross surcingle’s that wrap around the body, a supersized tail flap and an integrated neck cover with shaped ear holes. Compatible with the waterproof fly liner, to help extend the wear during those wet spells.
Premier Equine Sweet Itch Buster Fly Rug With Belly Flap
Colours: White
Sizes: 5ft – 7ft 3in
Denier: 1000D
UV protection: 100%
RRP: £135
Reasons to buy
- Strong outer denier
- Deep design and extra large tail flap for added protection
Reasons to avoid
- If your horse won’t accept the ear holes on the neck cover
Offering head-to-tail protection from biting insects and the sun’s rays, this lightweight breathable 1000D rug from Premier Equine is hard-wearing and 100% UV reflective. It features an antibacterial, breathable lining over the shoulder and neck area to prevent rubbing, as well as an integrated wrap-around belly flap and super-size double-thickness tail flap for extra protection.
Masta Combo Sweet Itch Fly Rug
Colours: White
Sizes: 5ft – 7ft 6in
RRP: £69.95
Reasons to buy
- Good value
- Longer cut in body for extra coverage
Reasons to avoid
- Lots of velcro fastenings
Made from a soft, close-knit polyester fabric that remains highly breathable, this rug can help keep your horse cool against the heat of the sun and prevent dark coats from bleaching. It has a longer cut, integrated neck cover with fleece-lined ear holes that gives full coverage even when grazing. It’s secured with touch-tape fastenings and the top one has an elastic insert allowing for added comfort around the face.
The wrap-around belly provides extra protection to the more sensitive areas of the horse and is secured with three surcingles. It has an anti-rub lining along the neck and over the shoulders to prevent rubbing. Now available with a waterproof upper section for changeable weather.
WeatherBeeta Sweet Itch Shield Combo Neck
Colours: White/blue
Sizes: 4ft – 7ft 3in
Denier: 600D
UV protection: 90%+
RRP: £81.99
Reasons to buy
- Wide size range
- High UV protection
Reasons to avoid
- If you need a stronger denier
This Weatherbeeta rug offers head-to-tail protection for sensitive horses, shielding them from 90% UV rays, sun bleaching, parasites and insects. Made from a strong and breathable 600D ripstop outer, it has lined shoulders to help prevent rubbing and stretching, and an elasticated and adjustable belly wrap and full wrap tail flap. It also features an ear hood with elastic insert around the ears to ensure the neck stays in place.
Shires Highlander Plus Sweet-Itch Combo
Colours: White
Sizes: 4ft – 7ft 3in
UV protection: 90%
RRP: £83.99
Reasons to buy
- Offers great coverage
- High UV protection
Reasons to avoid
- Front buckle fastenings might not suit everyone
Ideal for all-round summer protection against biting insects and sun bleaching, this Shires rug features a “grazing-friendly“ hood and large pleated tail flap to help keep the body, neck and poll covered at all times. The hardwearing and breathable fabric is 90% UV blocking. It also has a belly flap, deep shoulder gussets, buckle chest straps and adjustable fillet strap and leg strap loops.
Snuggy Hoods Sweet Itch Rug
Colours: Beige, brown or haint blue
Sizes: 4ft – 7ft 3in
RRP: £99
Reasons to buy
- Thicker material than some others
- Get more of a customised rug with added extras if needed
Reasons to avoid
- Can be fiddly to put on and off due to the close fit
- Have to purchase the neck cover separately
This Snuggy Hoods rug offers total protection from midges, biting insects, flies and harmful UV rays. It has full belly coverage, an elasticated and padded chest and withers, and double tail protection with a tail wrap and extra-large flap. It is also mud-proof and water-repellent, and prevents coat bleaching. You can add a hood or headless hood to maximise your coverage. You can further customise the coverage by adding front legs, an udder cover or sheath cover.
The Snuggy Hoods Bug Body fly rug was tested and put through its paces by professional dressage rider and trainer Rob Waine and his team. It is made from the same fabric as the Sweet Itch rug, while it’s fairly pricey, it’s a really worthwhile investment. They said it fitted our very sensitive tester really well and provided great coverage. It’s made of a thicker material so it doesn’t rip. The team found it tricky to put on at first, especially if you have the extras, but once you and your horse are used to it it’s easy enough. Read H&H’s independent Snuggy Hoods Sweet Itch rug review.
LeMieux Kudos Sweet Itch Rug
Colours: Stone
Sizes: 5ft 3in– 7ft
RRP: £114.95
Reasons to buy
- Made from a durable lightweight fabric
- Unique design for freedom of movement
Reasons to avoid
- T-bar chest fastenings might not suit everyone
Made from a durable and lightweight outer. Features a generous neck cover and ear holes, lined mane and extra large tail flap to cover the most sensitive areas. The long length and full belly coverage with triple fastening for maximum all-round protection. The 45° angled T-bar front closure, elasticated angled shoulder gusset and pleated two part skirt system allows for freedom of movement.
Itchy Horse Boett Blanket
Colours: Browny-black or light grey
Sizes: Miniature – shire
RRP: From £165.50
Reasons to buy
- Excellent size range available
- Unique, breathable fabric
Reasons to avoid
- Ensure you take the time to get accurate measurements before ordering to get the right size for your horse
The Boett Blanket provides an effective barrier against insect attack and prevents the typical symptoms of this allergy. Made from a unique, breathable, water repellent fabric. This rug has been proven for over 15 years. It can also be used for protection against ordinary flies, crab flies and sand flies. Unique sizing so you have to provide two measurements (centre of the chest, to the end of the hindquarters and circumference of the loins) to ensure you get the right size rug from their size chart.
What is a sweet itch rug?
It’s important to be aware that these “sweet itch rugs” will not treat your horse or cure him from the condition and are not a replacement for veterinary treatment. They, however, can be used as a preventative measure to reduce the chance of a horse who is prone to the condition from being bitten in the first place. Most cases are seen between March and October, so purchasing a rug and putting it on your horse before the season starts is best – once your horse is suffering he will already be itching and likely damage even the most robust of rugs.
How to choose a sweet itch rug
The best sweet itch rugs tend to offer more coverage than even the best fly rugs so as to provide maximum protection, but as they are worn throughout the summer months, it’s especially important that they are lightweight and breathable.
Choose one with excellent coverage – look for extra-large tail flaps, belly coverage and extended necks. Consider fastenings – the more there are the more covered your horse is likely to be, but if he’s not a fan of you fussing around him they need to be quick and easy to do up and undo. Chest fastenings usually have the most variation – while surcingle type hooks are quick and easy, they don’t offer anything in the way of adjustability, whereas adjustable buckles can be fiddly to use. The gold standard is usually buckle for adjustment with quick clips for fastening, but this is likely to result in a more expensive rug.
What is the difference between a sweet itch and fly rug?
A fly rug is designed to protect against larger flies, while a sweet itch rug is made of a fine mesh fabric that is specifically designed to block smaller insects like midges, offering more extensive coverage and a tighter weave mesh material.
You might also like:
13 fly rugs to suit every shape, need and budget
Fly protection on a budget: 6 fly rugs under £50
Had enough of annoying flies? We’ve tested some fly sprays to find which really work
10 waterproof fly rugs – perfect for summer showers and sunshine
6 handy fly gels and creams we’ve put to the test
Fly masks to protect your horse
Sweet itch in horses: what all horse owners need to know
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