Has anyone had a great experience with a fly sheet with a belly guard that protects but also allows air to circulate in this beastly hot/humid weather?
Following!
I started using a Centaur fly sheet with a belly guard about a month ago. Never used a fly sheet before this year, but the insects are just awful. My boy came in one day with welts all over his underside that morphed into scabs.
He now goes out in a fly mask (with ears), the fly sheet with belly guard, and fly boots. The barn workers have told me he seems much happier, not hanging by the gate begging to come in after ten minutes.
That being said, I have had to cut his turnout from three hours to about an hour because he gained too much weight on the lush grass. (Don’t ask about a grazing muzzle–I tried several types, and it was no-go.) . I am not sure how the belly guard would be with long turnout or 24/7 turnout.
Rambo various ones work. I have been known to sew a spare textiline belly guard from Amazon on those if they belly coverage isn’t sufficient.
Now though my horse goes goes naked because I’ve discovered the one fly spray ingredient that repels the culicoides midges he’s allergic to (lemon eucalyptus in case you’re wondering) so we’re both happier.
I have several with belly guards but bought a Bucas one this year. It is by far my favorite. IT holds snugly but billows in the middle. Insects can’t crawl into it and bite the belly at all. Highly recommend.
The WB ones are too loose to help. The Rambo doesn’t like to stay velcroed well.
How hot & humid? Once it’s over 90°F my gelding can’t tolerate any type of sheet. Schneider’s Mosquito Mesh is quite nice otherwise, and his Weatherbetta ComFiTech AirFlow survived several seasons of use. Getting the right fit is the biggest issue - too loose and the belly bands don’t do much.
I have the Shires Fine Mesh Fly Sheet and it has an awesome belly band. My horse has sweet itch, and it is extra long with 3 surcingles to provide additional coverage. Plus the surcingles are elasticized so you can get them snug without being uncomfortable. The fine mesh is pretty cool, my horse is comfortable in it up to about 85 degrees or so.
Just want to thank everyone for your replies. I settled on a Bucas Zebra-patterned flysheet with belly guard (after further research) for my draft cross mare who had taken to a nasty kick to defend herself from some offending insect on her belly. I ordered it in an 84” (she usually wears an 81”), and it is both effective in insect protection and comfortable in hot, humid conditions (although my team enjoy night turnout during the worst of the heat)…Pricey for my budget, but next year I may get the Bucas flysheet/rain sheet combination. The flysheet has held up well, but my 2 horses have no company or competition in their field, so there has been no flysheet tag! Thanks again!
I just want to warn that I’ve had two horses get a hoof hung up in the belly guard this summer. Make sure they don’t slide back too far or dangle too low.
Fits nice & snug…
did you go up a size because they run small? i am always looking for better and lighter fly sheets
“did you go up a size because they run small? i am always looking for better and lighter fly sheets”
When I researched other sources/reviews, the consensus seemed to be that the rug runs a bit small (& since I have another draft cross who usually wears an 84”, I figured I could still use it on another horse)…I have tried it on the other horse, though, and it fits him fine, also…
I had a brand new mesh fly sheet with belly band - sold it right away because some stinging insect got under it and she bolted into a fence and caused herself a nasty gash. Now I just chose the time of day when they bugs are less - and we live in the PNW so I cannot compare with other geographical areas
