Great material strong enough to withstand fence rubs
Leader Equine
LE Defender Anti-Insect Fly Rug
LE Defender Anti-Insect Fly Rug
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$249.99 AUD
Regular price
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$249.99 AUD
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What Customers are saying
Customer Reviews
Overall rating: 4.8 / 5 from 75 reviews.
Love the drop of these rugs and that they don’t move around, unfortunately this material doesn’t quite allow the same fit as the field safe cottons (which we absolutely LOVE) it caused the shoulders of this mare to rub within 3 days. If I was to buy again I’d size up. This horse is a 5’9 in all rugs, to allow the shoulders I’d go a 6’0 next time. It also has a lot of static taking it off. If your horse isn’t a fan maybe try a different material.
LE Defender Anti-Insect Fly Rug
Store owner replied: Hi Ruby, I thought we had replied to this already but I can't see the reply now. I do think the size is an issue here, it looks like the seam that joins the tail flap is sitting too much above the top of the dock, so that is likely playing into the shoulders not having the room. The fieldsafe summer sheets you've used will have a bit more give and more softness to them which would be more forgiving. Not always a reason for a size change, the summer sheets probably could be the size up too but just isn't as obvious. In terms of static, it's not an issue we usually have but if you have a horse prone to static (I am constantly zapping myself so I can empathise!) then the Defender plus some dry weather could be a risk for sure (and possibly being a bit small there is more friction occurring too which wouldn't help), we would recommend an anti-static spray from your local supermarket to help with that. If you'd like to look at on-selling the Defender to a friend, we would be more than happy to help get you and your horse into the next size up or if you want to try the Breeze as an alternative, with a goodwill discount. Look forward to hearing from you, Kind regards The LE team :)
I chose this product thanks to a recommendation from a friend. I needed breathable mesh for my horse that suffers from anhidrosis in the south Texas summers. He’s also incredibly allergic to fly bites. I’m happy with the length of the coverage for the upper arms and especially the front clasp. I’d love to get the matching fly boots!
LE Defender Anti-Insect Fly Rug
Store owner replied: Hi Miranda, thank you so much for your feedback, it really makes our day when our customer's horses feel the benefits of something we've designed for them. And it's really exciting that we can help horses as far away as Texas from here in Australia! Thank you again for ordering from us and if we can ever help with anything please don't hesitate to contact us. Best regards, The LE Team :)
Best fitting rug I've purchased over the years, absolutely love the front close system. Doesn't skew on the body, just a great fit. Good job! Keeps the bitey flies etc off, light, and doesn't trap the body heat which contributes to the itch this boy has.
So far so good great fit and great design . Very strong for my cob who suffers with sweet itch
Fits my 17.3hh warmblood really well. Much lighter than other mesh rugs, so great in the hot and humid weather. Great safe chest closure.
River loves his rug and so does his skin! No more itchy, frustrating bites and bumps, just smooth itch free skin. He’s so much more relaxed in his pasture, cool and comfortable even on a hot day. Worth every dollar!
LE Defender Anti-Insect Fly Rug
Store owner replied: Louise this absolutely makes our day when we hear from owners whose horses are comfortable and happy in our rugs. Thank you for your feedback.
This rug, along with the fly boots, helped Totem cope with the biting flies after recent rains. It is very well designed, light & stays in place. Easy to put on & take off.
I love it! It’s my second one as Winnie has a friend who loves her rugs too 😆. Best last mesh I’ve found and love that I can add cotton or waterproof liner underneath!
Perfect fit and very light.
I just love this rug! Our boy is big and hard to fit but they fit him perfectly. Love the material as well, helps with his sensitive skin. Light weight, keeps the insects off.
These are the best rugs! Keeps even the smallest the bugs off the horses. Great quality and they don’t move. Highly recommend
Love it! Accurately sized, very light with superb breathability, very strong. Worth every penny!
I like this rug it fits my 14.1h quarter horse riding pony better than the other summer rugs I have bought from horseware The others seem to get caught on his rump and pull on his chest and shoulders
I love this rug as it is perfect for North Queensland weather and fits my 16.3hh QH well. I wasn't sure if I'd like not having leg straps, but the rug does not move! I like the front enclosure and belly straps too. This rug was a good investment 👍
Great fit … definitely a quality product… my horse is comfortable and happy… that makes me happy
My horse gets the itch so this rug is a game changer
My favourite thing about this rug is that I don’t have to wrench it forward at the wither/chest area at least once a day like I’ve had to with literally every other rug I have owned. It stays put, full stop. It’s very generous in that it provides space for movement where it counts and is not too snug anywhere which is a common problem for broader-shouldered horses like my clydie x mare here. This is also the coolest rug we’ve tried so far with less sweat under it at the end of the day than other mesh rugs. The only critique I have got is that the outer most front closure material piece needs to be made stronger or reinforced next time as it has been rubbed off already and exposed the back of the velcro underneath. This should be a very easy fix for me as I’ll sew it back on again (the rest of the front closure is completely intact and functional). I highly recommend this quality rug to shield your horse from the dreaded midge.
I was after a very light mesh rug as I live in tropical QLD. The horse in the photo is a 32 year old Australian Stock horse. His rugs must fit properly so there is no rubbing. The Leader rug fits the bill and I would buy him other Leader rugs.
This is really the best of the best in terms of fly rugs. Season after season, I have tried them all. I usually find they are too thick and heavy, and make my horse sweat. This rug is VERY light and it feels like it would be super cool to wear. Fantastic quality. Long drop. Great safety front. Highly recommended. The best I have purchased yet.
Perfect rug for our hot summers and a horse that gets hot in the usual mesh fly rugs. Generous fit for a big shouldered, slightly rotund perchy x and it stays in place!
Total game changer for my itch prone Paint Bred gelding who runs hot. This is the first rug that doesn’t make him sweaty and uncomfortable. He was previously in Rambo Vamoose and Wild Horse rugs but just got too hot. In the recent SE QLD heatwave (temps in mid-high 30s) he has been cooler than my unrugged horses. Only sweat area is on the shoulders where neck rug and rug overlap. Front closure is the best I have ever seen- plenty of give and no rubbing. Sizing is true (he wears a 6’3” due to wide chest and barrel).
This rug provided the coverage my mare needed to protect her from flies, especially bot flies. The UV protection too is really good. I will definitely be buying the let protectors and face mask when they are available again for next summer to give even more protection.
These rugs are fantastic! They are perfect for our hot, humid FNQ climate keeping my herd well protected from biting insects. They are light weight yet strong, the horses don’t get hot in them like some of the other heavier designs nor do the insects get through the mesh and they fit well.
I’m beyond thrilled with my purchase! This rug fits so well on my huge Friesian cross TB, a 17 in size and fits beautifully. I have purchased two now and my horse is so well protected from bugs all sorts & also body heat can easily leave through the material. Keep these going please for us hot horse owners & horses that struggle with itch🥰
LE Defender Anti-Insect Fly Rug
Store owner replied: Love the photo Claire and super happy to hear how well the Defender is working for your gorgeous big guy!
Hoping the new rug helps my mare with her QLD itch. After the past couple of months she has not handled it well! Love the rug is covering half her stomach also which is where most of her itch is located!
Love love love!!! Great fit and keeps my horse cool (in 40+ degrees) and insect free.
LE Defender Anti-Insect Fly Rug
Store owner replied: Delighted to hear this Lorraine, love the photo :)
Love this rug it dose rub a bit on the rest chest bit fits well other wise and good quality materials
I'm glad you contacted me as I have been meaning to let you know how very impressed I am with Rollo's new midgee rug. Rollo, my beautiful boy suffers every year with qld itch. Since becoming his owner just over a year ago I have been doing everything possible to bring him back into condition (he was neglected). I saw this rug on a friends horse and was amazed by it, and the sturdy quality and just had to try one. Once again I am so impressed with the craftsmanship! The fit, the buckles, the chest protector, it's all perfect. I was skeptical that it could do anything regarding his itch, but whatever the technology of it is, it showed within days, as his lesions healed faster. It does not cling or rub anywhere along his whole spine. This rug coupled with his hemp oil products has changed his life during this season. Thank you so much!! 🙏 Sonja and Rollo. 🐴
Great rug for the QLD heat that keeps the flies off but doesn’t over heat your horse! Love the front closure system.
The most perfect rug for my boy who is super sensitive to all the bugs! It fits beautifully, doesn’t slip and he is so happy in it. Couldn’t recommend this rug more ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Greg rugs and fly boots! Fits great and keeps cool.
LE Defender Anti-Insect Fly Rug
Store owner replied: Thank you so much Carissa, super happy to hear your horse and you are loving the Defender!
Ordered the incorrect size initially. It was swapped over very easily. Love the fit if this as suits my 17.3hh fellow. 6ft 9 ". Perfect for Qld conditions. Will be purchasing a second rug. Excellent quality as usual.
Great wearing even in our hotter climate, service and advice fantastic
Great fit, on my hard to fit Lusitano Great should room and good depth for the larger chunky horses The only fly rug that doesn’t slip back and sits nicely without pulling anywhere . Will be buying more .
I’m so impressed with the mesh rugs. They are a perfect fit and sturdy. My retired horses love them.
At first I wasn’t sure it would breathe enough. After a couple of days I noticed he wasn’t getting and flies on him but thought he might be too warm. I changed him into his cool rug and almost instantly he was being bothered by flies all around him. I changed him back into this one and the relief was instant. Definitely a good investment!
My poor chunky little TB over heats on even mild days, to the point I have to hose him a few times a day. Then came the defender, absolute life saver for him, I had it on him on a 30• + weekend not once was he over heating or sweating, great sizing and fit also. The rug was warmer to touch but he wasn’t, even in the full sun. 5 ⭐️ from me!!!!!
Fred looks relieved to be free from the flies. Great quality and looks really cool too. I did remove the neck rug after this photo because the side in the sun was really hot after mere minutes of having it on. The side in the shade was cooler. I’m not sure how much I’ll use it if he’s too warm in it. As I said, looks great and excellent LE quality but the jury’s still out on it for me.
Equitana Business Awards winner
The LE Boxter Turnout is the 2024 Equitana Business Awards winner of the Horse Innovation Category.
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