A fly sheet is more than just a piece of fabric draped over your horse; it is essential to their comfort and protection in the summer. Designed to shield your horse from biting insects and harmful UV rays and may even help keep their coats cleaner. However, like any equipment, it requires proper maintenance to function effectively. Learn how to clean your horse’s fly sheet with these easy steps and tested products that make washing your horse’s fly sheet simple!
Keeping a horse fly sheet clean has several key benefits:
Comfort for the Horse: A clean fly sheet prevents dirt, sweat, and debris from accumulating, which can irritate your horse's skin. A dirty fly sheet can cause chafing, itching, discomfort, and even block airflow that helps keep them cool.
Effective Fly and Insect Protection: A clean fly sheet better repels flies and insects. A fly sheet with strong odors, such as manure and urine stains, may even attract some of those insects to your horse.
Health and Hygiene: Warmer temperatures in the summer can cause your horse to sweat, along with those passing summer thunderstorms, adding moisture with dirt, manure, or urine stains, and you are looking to harbor bacteria and fungus that could potentially cause skin infections or rubs.
Prevents Odor: Regularly washing the fly sheet prevents unpleasant odors, which can be off-putting for you and the barn staff caring for your horse.
Durability and Longevity: Regular cleaning extends the life of the fly sheet. Dirt and debris can weaken the fabric, causing it to wear out faster. Keeping it clean ensures that the material stays strong and lasts longer.
Aesthetic Appeal: We can all admit a clean fly sheet looks nicer on your horse or pony when they’re out grazing in the sunshine! It reflects well on you as a responsible horse owner, showing you care about your horse’s well-being and appearance.
The 6 Steps on Cleaning Your Horse’s Fly Sheet
The summer and fly season can be hard enough on your horse, keeping their fly sheet clean and able to do its job preventing insect bites and allowing plenty of airflow is essential for their comfort and health. Follow these steps to properly clean your horse’s fly sheet, whether using a washing machine or hand washing at the barn, to keep it in excellent condition, ensuring your horse stays happy and protected this summer!
Steps to Wash a Horse Fly Sheet
Shake Out Loose Dirt and Debris: Remove shavings, hay, and other loose debris by thoroughly shaking out the fly sheet.
Pre-Wash Preparation: If using a washing machine, shake off as much dirt and hair as possible to avoid clogging, and brush off any caked-on dirt or manure with a stiff brush.
Washing Method:
Machine Washing: Place the fly sheet in the washing machine. Use cold water and a mild detergent specifically for horse blankets, as these can break down organic materials, remove odors, and protect any specialty fabrics or coatings.
Hand Washing: If you don't have access to a washing machine, soak the flysheet in warm, soapy water at the barn for about an hour to break down organic materials.
Rinse Thoroughly: Ensure all soap residue is completely rinsed out to prevent skin irritation for your horse.
Drying: Hang the fly sheet to dry completely. Choose a sunny or shaded area based on the fabric's requirements.
Manufacturer's Instructions: Always refer to the manufacturer's guidelines for specific cleaning recommendations, especially regarding drying. Avoid using a dryer as excess heat can melt or shrink certain fly sheet materials.
5 Supplies for Cleaning and Caring for Your Fly Sheets
We’ve picked out some must-have products designed to make cleaning and maintaining your horse’s fly sheet easier and more effective. From Schneiders® Horse Blanket Wash that tackles heavy soil to specialized odor eliminators and padded leg strap covers, these products will help ensure your horse’s fly sheet stays fresh, functional, and in great shape this summer!
- Schneiders® Horse Blanket Wash
- Schneiders® Odor Eliminator
- Schneiders® Odor Killing & Freshening Wash
- Schneiders® Detachable Adjustable 1" Elastic Leg Straps Pair
- Schneiders® Horse Turnout Blanket & Fly Sheet Padded Leg Strap Covers
This horse blanket wash is effective against the heaviest soil and leaves no residue! It is environmentally friendly, phosphate-free, bio-degradable, and non-irritating without compromising UV-protective materials. This minimal sudsing detergent easily rinses out of blankets while brightening colors in any water temperature.
Does your horse’s fly sheet stink? Destroy odors associated with urine, manure, sweat, mold, mildew, skunk, and more. Keep this horse blanket odor eliminator on hand for your horse laundry, freshening up blankets, saddle pads, dog beds, and more than just your fly sheet!
This odor-killing and freshening wash is a concentrated formula that kills odor-causing bacteria long after washing. This REACH pre-registered, BDO-notified, and ECOLOGO-certified cleaner kills 99.9% of odor-causing bacteria while being safe for the environment. It stays active on the textile surface, preventing cross-contamination from multiple odor-causing bacteria. Simply add this into the wash with your detergent.
Don't let your horse's comfort be compromised by old, dirty, or broken blanket straps. Having a fresh pair of detachable elastic leg straps makes it easy to swap out leg straps and fit many-sized horses.
These padded leg strap sleeves are made of breathable neoprene that slides over your horse's 1" wide elastic leg straps for added comfort and decrease the wear on the elastic leg straps while keeping them cleaner and in better condition.
Properly cleaning your horse's fly sheet is vital for their comfort, health, and the sheet's longevity. Regular washing prevents irritation, maintains effective fly protection, and extends the life of the sheet. By following these steps on how to clean your horse’s fly sheet and using the right products, you can ensure your horse remains happy and well-protected throughout the fly season!
