I have 10 horses (5 mine, 5 boarding) and use fly sheets and fly masks on all of them. Horses are a lot more comfortable and I need only a fraction of the insect repellant that I used before. I figure that over the course of the first summer, I paid for the jackets by the savings on repellants.
Looked at a lot of options before buying (see http://wowhorses.com/horse-fly-sheet.html ). For maximum protection I got the neck covers, belly covers and head covers. Have one horse with a major sweet itch problem, wished I had got a tail cover for him.
Fly Sheets - By Doug Stewart - 
The Different Types of Fly Sheets
Several horse owners use fly sheets as a form of fly control.
The material used to make fly sheets is the same type of finely woven mesh material used
to make vinyl lawn furniture. The same type that has been used since the 1960's. Fly sheets are typically constructed of polyvinyl that is resistant to UV rays and comes in a wide variety of colors (including blaze orange for horse owner that live in the middle of a hunting region.) The polyvinyl is normally designed in a loose weave pattern. Polyvinyl is damage caused by dirt and oils.
Horse owners have two different types of fly sheets to select from, a scrim sheet and a turnout fly sheet.
Fly sheets that are designed for turnout purposes are typically made of a stiffer lightweight material then scrim fly sheets. When outfitting a horse with a turnout fly sheet owners should make sure that the sheet fits well enough that the breast straps, surcingles, and leg straps do not have to be tightened excessively which can impede the horses movement. Owners should not cross the leg straps of a turnout fly sheet. Leaving the leg straps uncrossed will allow the horse to flap his under his belly without ensnaring it in the straps. When purchasing a fly sheet for turnout owners should look for one made of a lightweight mesh material that is easy to clean. In the event of severe stains (manure and grass are the most common) blanket owners can try using a stiff, sudsy brush directly on the stain. this works especially well if the blanket is laid on a concrete surface. A fly sheet made with polyvinyl will typically dry within thirty minutes of being washed. Machine washable is ideal. It is not a bad idea to purchase two turnout fly sheets, that way if one gets dirty or tears owners have another one available.
A well crafted turnout fly sheet will be designed to tear if the horse gets it caught on something but should be designed in such a way that the damage will be minimal.
Most horse owners prefer elastic leg straps on their turnout fly sheets over the nylons variety.
Scrim flysheets are designed to be used while the horse is in a stall, typically after a thorough grooming has removed all the naturally protective dirt and oils from the horses coat. Scrim fly sheets are designed to loosely cover the horses body. because of the loose fit horses should never be turned loose while clothed in a scrim fly sheet. Many owners also use scrim fly sheets as an anti-sweat blanket.
The mesh design of fly sheets will not prevent the horse from becoming dirty and dusty like solid blankets.
A fly sheet should help wick moisture away from the horses body which will keep them cool and comfortable throughout the hot summer months.
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My Articles Horse Tack-Purchasing A Western Saddle Blanket At first it can seems like such a simple task, all you have to do is open that.. Horse Blankets And Dressage, You Ask? For someone unfamiliar with horses and anything associated.. Equine Lordosis Equine lordosis, more commonly called swayback is a condition.. |
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