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Fly Sheets!

6K views 17 replies 10 participants last post by  my2geldings 
#1 ·
My gelding has a beautiful rich coat and the last thing I want is for it to become sun bleached.

I need help shopping for a sheet, I've never had to buy one because I've had light horses up until now.

I am looking for a good fly sheet to keep the pesky ******s off, keep him looking nice, as well as keep him cool. It is very important the sheet will not make him hot.

My max 125(ish) and below.

Please help me shop! We have no local tack shops that sell Fly Sheets other than TSC and I don't like the ones they offer.
 
#5 ·
i have no idea. Gem is notorious for ripping stuff (halters, blankets, himself ((only small scrapes though))) So i'll put it on him tomorrow hopefully and within a day or so, i'll know if they rip easily or not.

When i took them out, they seemed like they wouldn't rip that easy
 
#6 ·
#7 ·
We've been using fly sheets for about 5 years now. Ours are all made by Weatherbeeta...and they've held up really well. Here they are: http://www.weatherbeeta.com/USA/Range/Fly_Sheets/AirflowCombo.asp

One note though, a fly sheet will always make your horse hot. The ones we use are extremely breathable, but since they are made of plastic (as are most fly sheets), they act as an insulator. Basically, we use them in the spring when the flys are really, really. bad and in the summer they go out with masks and booties for their legs.

If you are concerned about keeping his/her color, you might find it more comfortable for your horse to feed him a color enhancing supplement. We've had great results with Black as Knight and Gold as Sun.

Of course, if you have the option, you can always turn out at night :wink:

Good Luck!
 
#13 ·
I fly blanket my girl in the spring/summer. It saves me on flyspray!!

I've tried the weatherbeeta airflow mesh...it was nice but it didn't stay on well, she ended up ripping it...long story...but it was a NICE blanket....


I currently have the Amigo Bugbuster. It's a VERY NICE sheet. It's very soft but strong. Stays in place and keeps the bugs off. Nice sheet overall. Looks funny, but serves it purpose very well!!
My girl would roll around many times a day in this sheet and it always stayed on well. Keep in mind, she's a draft horse, so she really put the stress test to it! I love this sheet!! I've got pictures...she looks soo funny!! :lol:

As for getting hot, the sheet ( a good sheet ) actually is supposed to help the horse stay cooler. It reflects the sun off the horse. My girl wore her Amigo sheet in high 90 degree/100 degree weather. She seemed content and I don't remember any sweating.

I've seen the cheaper mesh sheets though, and unless your horse is gentle on blankets, I wouldn't recommend them .
 
#14 ·
I worry about him overheating in those. Should I keep them on him even in hot weather? (90degrees+)[
The only reason our horses don't wear them year round is because of the heat factor. Where we are, the horses would be out for an hour - hour 1/2 in a mostly shaded paddock, but would come in absolutely lathered under their sheets. Perhaps it is the humidity here more than the heat itself, but we just don't use them in the summer anymore. Maybe an area with less humidity is different??


Edited for: Spelling
 
#16 ·
I'm near lake Michigan, in fact my barn is about a mile way from it, and so it is usually breezy. I can't remember if it is humid here or not, I know some days are and some days are really dry and nasty. I suppose if I'm sweating while standing In the shade, its probably too humid for a sheet.
 
#17 ·
That Amigo looks interesting. I have been thinking about getting fly sheets for our girls. Since we have 4 horses that would need them the cost has been holding me back. As far as them getting hot, I would think a light colored sheet on a dark horse would have to be cooler than nothing at all since the white/light would reflect more sun then their dark hair :?
Your right though Abby, if its very humid I think I would skip the sheet and go for the bug spray.
 
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