Premier Equine Fly & Sweet Itch Rugs
A Premier Equine fly rug is a lightweight turnout rug that puts a physical barrier between your horse and biting insects. This collection holds 12 Premier Equine designs — open mesh air rugs, stay-dry and ShowerTex options for damp fields, and full-coverage Buster sweet itch rugs — in sizes from 5ft 0 to 7ft 3. In-stock prices currently run from £75.60 to £124.20.
In a hurry? Start here
- Everyday summer cover: Premier Equine Mesh Air Fly Rug with Surcingles — £79.20 (5ft 3 and 5ft 6 in stock).
- Neck covered too: Premier Equine Combo Mesh Air Fly Rug with Surcingles — from £93.60.
- Showers as well as flies: Premier Equine ShowerTex Fly Rug with Surcingles — from £88.20.
- Sweet itch: Premier Equine Buster Sweet Itch Fly Rug with Surcingles — £117.00.
- Best size choice right now: Premier Equine Buster Stay-Dry Super Lite Fly Rug with Surcingles — £124.20, every size 5ft 0 to 7ft 3 in stock.
Which Premier Equine fly rug should you choose?
The quickest way to narrow it down is to answer two questions: how much of the horse do you need covered, and how wet does the field get? The table below matches the situation to the rug and shows the lowest price currently in stock.
| Your situation | Rug to look at | In stock from |
|---|---|---|
| Dry-weather turnout, body only | Premier Equine Mesh Air Fly Rug with Surcingles | £79.20 |
| Body and neck in one piece | Premier Equine Combo Mesh Air Fly Rug with Surcingles | £93.60 |
| Showery days, body and neck | Premier Equine ShowerTex Fly Rug with Surcingles | £88.20 |
| Wet fields, lightweight feel | Premier Equine Stay-Dry Mesh Air Fly Rug with Surcingles | £124.20 |
| Wet fields, widest size range in stock | Premier Equine Buster Stay-Dry Super Lite Fly Rug with Surcingles | £124.20 |
| Sweet itch, full-body style | Premier Equine Buster Sweet Itch Fly Rug with Surcingles | £117.00 |
| Sweet itch with a belly flap | Premier Equine Sweet Itch Buster Fly Rug with Belly Flap | £117.00 (5ft 9 and 6ft 0) |
| Belly flap plus a neck you can remove | Premier Equine Bug Buster Fly Rug with Detachable Neck and Belly Flap | £115.00 |
| Belly flap with a fixed combo neck | Premier Equine Combo Bug Buster Fly Rug with Belly Flap | £115.00 |
| Lightweight nylon combo, sun as well as flies | Premier Equine Super Lite Fly Rug with Surcingles | £111.60 |
| Lowest price in the range | Premier Equine Fly Lite Bug Rug | £75.60 (5ft 0 only) |
What if your horse reacts badly to midges?
Horses that rub, scratch and lose mane or tail hair in summer are usually reacting to midge bites. A rug that covers more of the horse — an integrated neck cover as standard, and on some designs a wrap-around belly flap as well — reduces the amount of skin the midges can reach, which supports the rest of your management routine. The Premier Equine Buster Sweet Itch Fly Rug with Surcingles (£117.00) and the Premier Equine Sweet Itch Buster Fly Rug with Belly Flap (£117.00) are the two here designed specifically for sweet itch. A rug is a barrier, not a treatment: if your horse already has broken or weeping skin, speak to your vet first.
What if the field is wet as well as fly-ridden?
Open mesh dries quickly but does not shed rain. If your horse lives out through British summer showers, the Premier Equine ShowerTex Fly Rug with Surcingles (from £88.20), the Premier Equine Stay-Dry Mesh Air Fly Rug with Surcingles (£124.20) and the Premier Equine Buster Stay-Dry Super Lite Fly Rug with Surcingles (£124.20) are the ones built with a waterproof, breathable top line for wet weather.
Do you need a combo neck or a detachable one?
A combo rug has the neck built in, so there is nothing to lose and no join for flies to find. A detachable neck lets you drop back to a plain body rug on cooler or calmer days. The Premier Equine Bug Buster Fly Rug with Detachable Neck and Belly Flap (£115.00) gives you both options in one purchase; the Premier Equine Combo Bug Buster Fly Rug with Belly Flap (£115.00) is the fixed-neck equivalent at the same price.
How do you get the size right?
UK rug sizes are measured in feet and inches from the centre of the chest, along the side of the horse, to the point of the buttock. Premier Equine fly rugs in this collection run from 5ft 0 to 7ft 3 in 3-inch steps. If your horse falls between two sizes, most owners go up rather than down on a fly rug, because the extra room helps it sit off the skin. If you are unsure, get in touch and our team will help you match the measurement to the right size.
How long should a fly rug last?
That depends far more on the horse than the rug. A steady horse in a quiet field may get several seasons from one rug; a playful youngster in a herd will test the seams much harder. Washing at the end of the season, drying it fully before storage and checking straps for wear all help. Keeping a spare means the horse is never left uncovered while one is in the wash.
Frequently asked questions
Do fly rugs help with sweet itch?
A well-fitting fly rug helps by physically covering the skin that midges bite, which is why the sweet itch designs add an integrated neck cover on top of the body coverage, and the belly-flap versions add a wrap-around panel underneath too. It supports your wider management plan rather than replacing it, and it is not a treatment for skin that is already sore. If your horse has open, weeping or infected skin, ask your vet before rugging.
What size Premier Equine fly rug do I need?
Measure from the centre of the chest, along the horse's side, to the point of the buttock, and match that to the nearest size. The rugs in this collection are stocked from 5ft 0 to 7ft 3. Between sizes, most people size up on a fly rug so it hangs clear of the coat. Get in touch and our team will help if you are stuck between two sizes.
What is the difference between a combo fly rug and a standard one?
A standard fly rug covers the body only, like the Premier Equine Mesh Air Fly Rug with Surcingles at £79.20. A combo has the neck cover built in, so the neck and shoulders are protected too. A detachable-neck rug, such as the Premier Equine Bug Buster Fly Rug with Detachable Neck and Belly Flap at £115.00, lets you use it either way depending on the day.
Can a Premier Equine fly rug be worn in the rain?
Open mesh rugs are made for dry, warm weather and will let rain through. For showery turnout, choose one of the designs with a waterproof top line: the ShowerTex Fly Rug with Surcingles from £88.20, the Stay-Dry Mesh Air Fly Rug with Surcingles at £124.20, or the Buster Stay-Dry Super Lite Fly Rug with Surcingles at £124.20.
Can my horse wear a fly rug day and night?
Many horses live in a fly rug through the insect season, but it should come off regularly so you can check the skin underneath, especially around the shoulders, withers and girth area. Look for rubbing, heat or hair loss, and adjust the fit or size if you find any. Overnight use is common where midges are worst at dawn and dusk.
How do I wash a fly rug without damaging it?
Brush off dried mud first, close all clips and straps so they cannot catch, and follow the care label on the rug. Avoid fabric softener and strong detergents, and let the rug dry fully before folding it away, as damp storage is what usually ruins a fly rug over winter.
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Last reviewed 2026-07-24 by the Just Horse Riders team.