I have two Rambo fly sheets that don’t cover the belly enough. I know Cashel makes a separate belly cover to stop flies getting at an itchy belly, but they don’t have great reviews.
Anyone know of better solutions? Or even a place I can buy the material and add a flap to the rugs I own?
These http://www.dressageextensions.com/eq…sheet/p/18964/ are absolutely the best! The belly band is actually forward enough that they don’t pee on it… the only sheet I’ve ever found where that is true. Sorry… I see that they are closing those out. They are sold through English Riding Supply. If you find a store that order’s through them they can get one for you. They also wear well. Have 1 going for 3 years.
http://www.englishridingsupply.com/index.php?route=product/allproducts&search=fly%20sheet%20&manufacturer_id=24
Of the shops I use for technical fabrics, this one seems to have the best mesh selection. But nothing that would be as stiff as the Rambo mesh. Maybe textilene would be better for a DIY solution? I think that’s what Kensington fly sheets are made of. It would be relatively easy to fashion a belly band that attaches to the existing surcingles, or potentially to separate attachment points…
I also have a Cashel belly guard I never used (moved from mosquito hell to a relatively un-buggy climate before I ever had a chance). I’d happily dig it out of whatever blanket tupperware it’s currently languishing at the bottom of and send it your way if you wanted to try it. Unfortunately I don’t know of any other, better products for belly coverage.
I like what I’ve seen of the Bucas flysheet with neck and belly cover attached.
@danacat that’s quite the belly cover! Hm, the price tho…
I have seen textilene belly covers for about $25 that aren’t as involved - designed to attach to Kensignton fly sheets. But modifications would be required…
@x-halt-salute I can see $16 for a yard of mesh textilene too at your link! If your Cashel belly guard is WB sized tho I’d be interested for sure!
Alas, it was bought for a 15-hander and though I recall it being a bit baggy on her I’m sure I didn’t get the WB size.
I had this one too. It was a life saver!
I tried the Cashel belly guard last summer and actually liked the design a lot. Unfortunately my big shouldered, short backed Fjord seems to be in between their sizes, so it was either too tight in one spot or too loose in another. It tended to come loose/out of position if he rolled vigorously. I think it would have worked if it had a few more straps in strategic places. I did like that it protects the chest and the area between the front legs. He has sweet itch and often that’s where the gnats started biting first.
It is nice, light weight, so not hot in the summer. It’s also very easy to just hose off to wash and hang over the fence to dry quickly.
I have not tried the Belly Dickie, but think those extra straps would help keep it in place well (might be just what I might need). I have to say it’s pricey though compared to the Cashel model which is quite reasonable on the price.
When the Belly Dickie came on the market (many years ago) Cashel did not yet make their model – I’m thinking they copied the B D design idea; made a cheaper version, and I would have tried it because of the affordability only to find out YGWYPF – cheaper not being better in the long run. Once the B D is on it stays on, doesn’t shift and for a horse that gets really bad sweet itch (like my guy did) it was a life saver. I think he would have destroyed the Cashel. But, I can’t say for sure. Maybe it’s great.
Now if someone could invent the reverse – a Top Line Dickie – to keep those moose horseflies off my horse’s backs, I’d be really happy! Those dive bombing monsters drive my horses crazy.
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