Fly Sheets All Day in Summer - Yay or Neigh?

[AAHunterGal]

Hi All!

This is my first summer in a spot where the sun can be pretty harsh and hot, but no humidity (Colorado Front Range area). I’ve noticed that many more horses here wear fly sheets all day + a neck than I remember on the east coast or California.

I’m debating whether or not to jump on board. While they don’t stay out if it’s just ridiculously hot, I’ve got one on her now and she’s already getting a little hot under it.

My gut tells me to just put a bottle of fly spray on her door and have them spray her before she goes out. She does wear a fly mask with ears.

Thoughts from others who have more experience with this climate? I would say the horses at this facility now are 50/50 with/without. They go out from 6/7am to about 5/6pm.

[Simkie]

I had zero problems keeping a fly sheet on my horses 24/7 in Colorado. While it gets hot, it’s just so dry, they never seemed to sweat or be uncomfortable. Hugely different than here on the east coast where you’re practically swimming in the humidity and horses sweat just walking to the field every day.

Enjoy Colorado! :yes:

[Xanthoria]

My horse has sweet itch so needs belly protection the majority of the year. I swap out fly sheet brands to try and reduce rubs, but it’s a pain. If your horse doesn’t need UV protection (pink skin etc) and fly issues are really controlled by sprays alone, I wouldn’t bother with sheets.

[Scribbler]

Depends on the horse. Some seem to get bitten more often, and some definitely react to the bites much more severely. Also flies can come and go with the weather and even the time of day or where you are in the field. Also some horses might have problems with sunburn (white on paints) or owners might not want their coats to fade because they are showing.

I would say see how it goes.

[IPEsq]

Mine gets bad welts and also will run himself into a sweat without a sheet so he gets fully covered. But I do like that at my barn they come in at the worst part of the afternoon to stand under fans. Mine doesn’t wear fly stuff in the stall but some are covered 24/7

[stressgirl37]

I would also see how it goes. No need for a sheet if it’s not needed. I live where it’s hot (90s and 100s) for at least 6 months out of the year and my mare is covered (or she’s miserable) that whole time with a sheet, neck cover, mask, and this year I’m going to try Shoo Fly Leggins.

[fjordmom]

One of mine has sweet itch, so covering up is mandatory or he becomes miserably itchy with in days of the first gnat emergence. Sheet with belly band, neck cover, face mask w/ ears, and boots up beyond his hocks/knees. It’s the lesser of the evils.

He is out roughly from 9 AM-6 PM and rarely seems to be too hot or sweaty. He does have a shed for shade, but seldom uses it. I think the breeze cools him better. When he is in overnight, his “clothing” come off to reduce rubs and give him a break.

The other horse goes natural; no cover at all and is perfectly happy that way.

I use fly spray on both during the worse fly onslaughts, but find that sanitation (a clean, dry environment) and fly predators keep things in check quite well. Unfortunately, the gnats are unphased by the predator flies.

I would do whatever seems to work best for your horse and you. (PS best part of having my boys at home, no concerns/peer pressure about what others around me think and do regarding sheets, tack, and much more.)