Fly Rugs for Heavy Horses: Do Zebra Stripes Work?

In the coming years we have seen a rise in the zebra printed horse fly rugs, including our own best-selling heavy horse zebra fly rug - but is it all a marketing fad or does it really work?

Our research began with the 2012 study taken by Susan Åkesson and her colleagues. Åkesson explained how the black and white stripes reflect the light in alternating, polarized and nonpolarized patterns. Making the zebra “more difficult to single out relative to the surroundings”, thus, in effect, the stripes act as a camouflage.

We also researched the 2014 study taken by Tim Caro and his colleagues. In his study, Caro explained, the black and white stripes can eliminate the appearance of the body edge or reduce the contrast of the animal’s form against the background. He then explained, when the flies come into land that the pattern dazes them, causing confusion and deters them altogether from landing on the Zebra.

With many studies showing similar evidence of Zebra stripes deterring flies from landing on them, we decided it was a must to incorporate this pattern in our heavy horse fly rugs, to further help alleviate the stress of biting insects.

Since releasing our best-selling zebra striped heavy horse fly rug, we have received amazing feedback on how well the pattern works at keeping the flies at bay. 

" I brought my horse in from the field to have his feet done, the flies didn’t seem to be bothering him. He had his Epic Classic Zebra Fly Sheet on but I decided to take it off whilst he was getting his feet done and within seconds, he was being a heavily irritated by flies and wouldn’t stand still. I put his zebra fly sheet back on to see if it would help and almost immediately, he was unbothered by them and calmed back down. I was amazed that it actually worked, it’s amazing! " ~ Customer review

So, in conclusion, the Zebra stripes really do work - it has been proven not just by scientific studies, but by our own customers! To protect your horse this summer with the ultimate fly protection, shop our zebra striped heavy horse fly rug.