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Time again to talk about fly sheets

Horse Care
#1

My horse hates flies and does much better wearing a fly sheet in turnout. It gets hot here but is dry. Last year, his tail was being rubbed basically bald by the Rambo Protector sheet. So, since they upgraded the model to have a lined tail flap, I just got a new one of those. Problem is that due to the kind of extra large fit of this sheet, the top of his tail is still being rubbed by the top of the sheet…the lined tail flap part starts after the top of his tail. I don’t have fit issues like this with any other Horseware product. Otherwise, the sheet fits great. I could not go down a size.

So, I’ve been putting him in the Rambo Summer Series sheet that has some softshell material on the top. This sheet has a different mesh, and due to the softshell material, there’s no difference in material from the top of his back to the tail flap. He even wears a size larger in this sheet. Problem is, it’s too hot when we get up to the 90+ degree days.

So, I need a soft mesh sheet that he won’t kill (he’s not very hard on clothes but does roll), that’s lined. Preferably with some belly coverage and detachable neck. Used WB in the past when he was younger, but the brand no longer fits. All of his current wardrobe is Horseware.

Anyone have experience with the following?

Pro Choice -
A friend uses the Pro Choice rip stop sheet because it creates less static. This sheet has no tail flap at all. Not sure if that’s good or bad! And her horses are very different breeds / sizes, so I’m clueless about fit.

Amigo -
I’m curious about the new ugly colored Amigo Evolution sheet. Amigo/Mio seem to use some of the finer mesh like the summer series but usually lacks in belly coverage. Anyone have this one yet?

Shires-
Based on the other horses in the barn that wear Shires winter clothes, my horse is a similar body type. Any specific models that are good?

Any others?

#2

I’m trying the premiere sheet. It’s not here yet, but I thought it looked promising. Maybe one to add to your list?

https://www.premierequine.co.uk/Mobile/sweet-itch-buster-fly-rug-with-belly-flap-c2x24916055

And on sale!

#3

I’m using the Schneider’s Mosquito Mesh this year and horse is loving it so far. He found the Rambo Protector too hot last year. I believe Schneider’s make a version without the tail flap.

#4

Can someone recommend a sheet with good tummy protection please. I have a draft cross mare with a long back so therefore a long tummy who literally kicks her tummy raw every year. Her current fly sheet has a tummy panel but not long enough or snug enough. She also gets down and rubs her tummy on the ground in a seesaw motion which adds mud and manure to her already bleeding tummy, the flies love her. She’s such mess poor thing. She’s the only one that i have to keep in a night even though the weather is great. She has no tolerance for bugs at all. Help!

#5

Take a look at the sheet I posted above. It looks to have good tummy coverage. I bought it for a mare who also really struggles with the gnats on her belly.

I guess I’ll report when I receive the one I ordered!

#6

My favorite subject. NOT! I have a sweet itch horse so I’ve gone through what seems a zillion fly sheets. He’s also a super wide model so most sheets are too narrow in the shoulders. I also look for the maximum belly coverage. I have the Shires version of the sheet that Simkie posted. In my opinion, it’s too thick and doesn’t breathe. My horse suffocated in it. It also rubbed his mane out. Currently, he’s in the ugly blue and orange Amigo. That sheet does the best job of covering his belly area and doesn’t rub his shoulders. But it is rubbing his mane out. Also, it’s not going to last the season. He’s easy on his clothing, but after 2 months, it’s already starting to rip. The material is actually 2 layers of mesh so a few small rips on the top layer shouldn’t matter too much. I don’t know how well it will breathe when it gets really hot. My favorite fly sheet for a pasture horse has been the Hug because it doesn’t bind when their head is down for grazing. But I haven’t found it with a belly band and a belly band is imperative. And not just a skimpy belly band. That’s why I went with the Amigo because the belly band actually covers most of the belly. I think I’m going to try the Schneider’s mosquito mesh next. By the way, the Schneiders mosquito mesh fly boots (https://www.sstack.com/horse-blankets-and-sheets_fly-sheets-sun-protection_fly-masks/mosquito-mesh-fly-boots/) are the best thing on the market. They are the only ones that stay up and don’t cause rubs.

#7

I’ve used Schneider’s for years. I have their soft mesh and ripstop and love them. Both have belly band and they are truely great. I’ve had them last for years. The ripstop has great airflow. My girl wears it in the south California sun all day and doesn’t sweat at all. She does have a fan but she is always happy in it. And she’s a white pink skinned horse and never had a rub on her.

#8

How does the mesh material softness compare to other Horseware sheets? Mine has already rubbed most of his mane out reaching through the fence for the good grass, so I’m mostly trying to save his tail at this point (and the scalp of his tail dock) while also not having him hurt himself — without a fly sheet, he just gets running in turnout. His hair is very thin on a good day, both mane and tail.

#9

I’m interested to hear how you like it. I ordered some of their turnout boots for a client and really like them. There is now a Rambo like this, but I read reviews today that mostly said it was too hot.

Anything that is supposed to go over the ears would need to be made in brontosaurus length for my guy too :wink:

#10

It’s a soft mesh. Not like a Kensington fly sheet. More like the Schneiders Soft Mesh but with bigger holes in the mesh.

#11

Of all the ones mentioned I like the Schneider’s best for belly coverage. The rest just have a ‘belly band’ which is just about useless for any kind of protection from gnats. The problem I have is that I am in Canada and to get it to me will be hugely expensive and take too long. Surely there is something like this made in North America?

#12

Problem is that due to the kind of extra large fit of this sheet, the top of his tail is still being rubbed by the top of the sheet…the lined tail flap part starts after the top of his tail. I don’t have fit issues like this with any other Horseware product. Otherwise, the sheet fits great. I could not go down a size.

Could you hand stitch a tuck somewhere above the tail flap to shorten the back? I realize this is an annoying thing to have to do with a new sheet.

I’ve also mentioned this a few times here and at the risk of sounding like I’m being paid by the company, I’ve had good success with Bug Check.

#13

I’m not sure if that would work without affecting how it hangs along his hind legs. If I was that handy, I’d add more lining in the back, but I don’t think I’m that handy! I know sort of how to sew, but sewing into mesh seems difficult.

1 Like
#14

The Rambo rubs my moms horses tail off too :frowning:

Im really into those new Amigo, can’t wait to try one. I just use the Amigo bug rugs, they are cool and dont rub, but no belly band.

#15

The Amigo bug buster has a belly band, but I haven’t seen the mesh up close to see if it’s any better. As far as fit, it looks identical to the Rambo, with the tail flap set low. Although, the Amigo winter clothes I have seem to fit with slightly less butt coverage than the Rambos.

I have a cooler/drying sheet with the disc closure thingie that is awesome. So, maybe I’ll give the ugly blue/orange Amigo a try on one of the weekend sales. If the mesh is at all similar to the Summer Series sheet, it will be ok I think.

#16

Let us know how that works out! My guy has a very protruding sternum and hates heavy buckles at his chest. And has sweet itch on his belly, so coverage there is important.

I did get a great salve for his raw belly areas though! Not cheap but a little works: its got local anesthetic, steroid, antiseptic and fly repellant.

Equishield IBH (Insect Bite Hypersensitivity) Salve 4oz https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00M7RVVNO?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf

1 Like
#17

Ok, verdict on the Amigo blue/orange fly sheet is that it doesn’t last. Less than 1 month old and it’s in shreds. This is on a horse who has worn a single Hug fly sheet for 2 seasons without a rip. It’s really too bad because I love the coverage and the blue disc thingie but it’s not going to hold up to even the mellowest of horses.

#18

well that’s disappointing! :frowning:

#19

Very. Well… since I procrastinated, the blue/orange sheet is sold out in the size I need on my usual go-to places for holiday sales. So I’m going to try the Amigo Bug Buster and see if the material on that one will be kinder to his tail. I was looking at a friend’s horse today who wears a Rambo. The sheet seems to hit him the same on the top of the tail in that the tail flap with lining doesn’t start till a few inches down the tail. Yet, he had no rubbing at all. So weird. That horse has much stronger/thicker mane and tail. I guess my horse’s hair is too fragile? His body hair is very healthy. It’s weird.

#20

If it’s any consolation, the Amigo Blue/Orange Ugly (ABOU) rubbed out his mane. But any neck cover rubs out his mane and he’s a pasture ornament so I don’t care too much. The mesh was soft like the Schneiders soft-mesh but nowhere close in durability. I have the Schneiders mosquito mesh on order. Maybe I should design and manufacture the perfect fly sheet. If only…

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