Sweet itch rugs
A different kind of fly sheet or summer rug is the sweet itch rug. These rugs are meant for horses who suffer from summer eczema. Horses with sweet itch have allergic reactions to bug bites, notably bites from the culicinae. The culicinae is the most common subfamily of mosquitoes. Eczema rugs have an extremely fine mesh structure and fit tightly around your horse.
Manes, arm pits, groin and belly are completely covered, thus preventing mosquitoes from biting. Most eczema rugs are UV-resistant and made from breathable fabric to prevent your horse from overheating. Culicinae appear when temperatures rise to about 10 degrees, depending on the other weather circumstances, such as humidity. If your horse is prone to developing sweet itch, it is wise to rug your horse with a sweet itch rug from early spring, i.e. March. Mosquitoes are mostly active during humid weather with little wind and in wooded areas.