Everything You Need to Know About Horse Fly Sheets

Our Fly Sheets 101 guide is a comprehensive resource center that lays out everything you need to know about getting the best fly sheet for your horse. From important terminology and measuring your horse correctly to achieve a proper fit to choosing the right type of fly sheet fabric for the season or environment and selecting other fly sheet features for specific types of horses. Explore our Fly Sheets guide to make an informed buying decision.

Table of Contents:

Why Should You Use a Horse Fly Sheet?

Horses need fly sheets to protect them from biting insects and harmful UV rays, but not every environment or horse is the same. Since horses come in different shapes and sizes and live in different climates, fly sheets from Schneiders come in a variety of fits and materials to address specific problems so you can find the best fly sheet for your horse.

Problem: Bothersome Insects

Insects can transmit diseases, cause discomfort, allergic reactions, and irritate horses to a point of stomping their feet or running frantically out in the field. A fly sheet can solve these irritations by preventing flies from landing on and bothering your horse. With any fly sheet, your horse will benefit from some level of insect protection, but not all sheets cover a large range of insects. Learn about the different types of fabrics we offer in horse fly sheets to find the material that will best handle the bugs that bother your horse.

Problem: Dangerous Ultraviolet Radiation

Problem: dangerous ultraviolet radiation. For some horses, sun exposure can cause a multitude of problems. Horses that are dark bay and black can suffer in the sun from bleaching or a dulling of their coat. This is unsightly but can also cause damage to their coat that is difficult to reverse. Light-colored horses or horses with large white markings can suffer from sunburns that blister, causing irritation and scabs that attract flies. Some fly sheets offer UV protection to protect horses from bleaching out, sunburns, and blisters. Find the fly sheet that offers the best UV protection for a vulnerable horse.

Are you not using a fly sheet because you’re worried about your horse overheating?

Problem: overheating. In hotter climates, fly sheets can be difficult to use. Fly sheets that are too heavy can cause overheating and excessive sweating. While these conditions may not seem serious, they can lead to dehydration. However, there are a lot of fly sheets available that offer amazing airflow. Schneiders offers lightweight, breathable fly sheets made in airy, open-weave mesh that keeps your horse’s body cool in the heat.

Are you not using a fly sheet because of how your horse plays?

Problem: rough play. We all know horses that are so rough inside they practically need a suit of armor when they go outside. Some play rough with their pasture mates with no consequence. Others have bite marks or punctures that can be harmful. The best horse fly sheet for this type of horse is made to endure rough play. Our Dura-Mesh fly sheets feature a vinyl-coated 1000 denier material engineered to stand up to your lively horse.

Are fly sheets good for horses?

Yes: If you live in an area where flies are bothersome, fly sheets are a great product to keep on your horse. And fly sheets offer a variety of benefits beyond fly protection, including keeping your horse calm while protecting them from harmful UV rays.

Is your horse extremely bothered by flies and other insects? Are they agitated outside during turnout, with copious amounts of tail-swishing, maybe pacing or running, kicking, weaving, and otherwise unsettled? Or, is your horse rather unphased by anything outside, seemingly oblivious to flying insects or paying little attention to anything but the grass at their lips? Read on to learn whether a fly sheet is right for your horse:

Fly Sheets for the Agitated Horse

The Agitated Horse

Another horseman’s term for this type of horse is “thin-skinned.” These horses are very sensitive and seem to notice every fly landing on them, with little patience for them. For these types of horses, turnout can become a time of extreme stress and anxiety, sending them into flight to escape. Often a fly sheet will transform hours of torment into hours of contentment for this type of horse. When a fly sheet reduces stress and anxiety, it is a very good thing indeed.

Fly Sheets for the Unphased Horse

The Unphased Horse

Horses that seemingly go out to turnout without a care in the world still might benefit from a fly sheet. Even if you have not noticed this horse bolting around the pasture to rid themselves of flies, this type of horse might still be thankful to wear a fly sheet and use their tail less, and they’ll benefit from the coat and skin protection the fly sheet’s UV performance tech fabric offers.

Fly Sheets for the Sensitive to Bites Horse

The Sensitive-to-Insect-Bites Horse

Some horses react more to insect bites, just like people. These horses come in from turnout with welts and bumps galore. You may notice while grooming these horses they lean into your brush strokes, enjoying the scratch you are providing. A fly sheet can help offer relief to these horses just by preventing the sheer volume of insect bites.

Fly Sheets for the Dark Coat Horse

The Dark Coat Horse

Bay, dark bay, and black horses sometimes turn orangey or “bleached out” in the sun, and their coats can become rough. Sometimes dark-coated horses seem to run hotter as well. A fly sheet with UV protection can help keep your horse’s dark coat darker by reducing the number of UV rays able to reach their coats—some sheets by as much as 80%.

Fly Sheets for the Light Coat Horse

The Light Coat Horse

Horses with white coats, pink skin, and light coats can be at risk for sunburns and skin damage from the sun. A UV fly sheet can reduce the amount of damaging UV rays able to reach your horse’s skin, leaving them better protected during turnout.

How To Measure a Horse for a Fly Sheet

Fly Sheets for the Light Coat Horse

The most accurate and easiest way to determine your horse’s fly sheet size or blanket size is to measure along the side of their body, from chest to tail. First, stand the horse squarely on a flat surface. Measure from the center of the chest, straight back to the very edge of the tail. Make sure to measure along the widest part of their shoulder and hindquarters. The number of inches measured in this way is your horse’s size. Every Schneiders horse blanket or fly sheet product page includes a handy size chart link to help you determine the correct size for your horse.

Fly Sheet Material Guide

Dura-Mesh Fly Sheets

Dura-Mesh

The fly sheet with the BEST DURABILITY that’s constructed from 1000D heavy/polyvinyl coated mesh.

  • The best insect protection against medium to large biting insects, such as deer flies, greenheads, and horse flies
  • Hard play durability
  • Best airflow for horses that have access to shelter and live in moderate to hotter climates
  • 70% UV protection level
  • Available Fits: VTEK® Wither Relief and V-Free® Wither Relief
  • Available Sizes: Horse
  • Warranty: 3 years

Check out this video:

Mosquito Mesh Fly Sheets

Mosquito Mesh

The best fly sheet for insect protection and airflow, constructed from an “extra-fine” window screen mesh material.

  • The best insect protection from the smallest to medium-sizes biting bugs, including gnats, mosquitos, and flies
  • Playful durability
  • Best airflow for horses with access to shelter and live in moderate to hotter climates
  • 60% UV protection rating
  • Available Fits: Cutback Wither, VTEK® Wither Relief, V-Free® Wither Relief, and Attached Neck V-Free® Wither Relief
  • Available Sizes: Draft and Horse
  • Warranty: 2 years

Check out this video:

RipGuard Fly Sheets

RipGuard

A fly sheet that is best at self-repairing. Constructed from a diamond interwoven 350D ripstop mesh x 600D soft-interlocking mesh that you rub together to repair small snags that could turn into tears.

  • Best at protecting against small to medium-sized insects, such as gnats, midges, stable flies, deer flies, and other medium-sized biting insects.
  • Playful durability
  • Good airflow for horses that have shelter and live in a moderate climate
  • 70% UV protection rating
  • Available Fits: VTEK® Wither Relief, V-Free® Wither Relief, and Senior VTEK® Wither Relief
  • Available Sizes: Horse
  • Warranty: 3 years

Check out this video:

Soft Interlock Mesh Fly Sheet

Soft-Interlock Mesh

The fly sheet with the best UV protection rating. Constructed from a 300D soft and comfortable polyester mesh material.

  • The best insect protection against small to medium-sized biting insects, such as gnats and midges and medium-sized stable and deer flies
  • Light play durability
  • Better airflow for horses that have access to shelter and live in a moderate to warm climate
  • 80% UV protection rating
  • Available Fits: Euro, High Neck Euro, Attatched Neck Euro
  • Available Sizes: Horse, Pony, Mini
  • Warranty: none

Check out this video:

Ripstop Mesh Fly Sheets

Ripstop Mesh

The most breathable fly sheet with the best airflow. Constructed from a a 300D soft, shiny, reflective nylon that stays cool in the heat.

  • The best protection against small to medium-sized insects, such as gnats and midges and medium-sized stable and deer flies
  • Light play durability
  • Best airflow for horses that live in hotter climates
  • 65% UV protection rating
  • Available Fits: Euro and Attached Neck Euro
  • Available Sizes: Horse
  • Warranty: none

Check out this video:

Mosquito Mesh Hybrid Fly Sheets

Mosquito Mesh Hybrid

The fly sheet offers the best dual protection from insects and harmful UV rays. Constructed from a combination of 350D Mosquito Mesh fabric (chest and back) and 450D Soft Interlocking Mesh (sides).

  • The best insect protection from the smallest biting bugs, including tiny gnats and mosquitos, to medium-sized flies, including stable and deer flies
  • Light play durability
  • Better airflow for horses with access to shelter and live in moderate to warmer climates
  • 70% UV protection rating (60% protection on the Mosquito Mesh top and 80% on the Soft Interlock Mesh sides)
  • Available Fits: VTEK® Wither Relief, V-Free® Wither Relief, and Attached Neck VTEK® Wither Relief
  • Available Sizes: Horse
  • Warranty: none

Check out this video:

Fly Sheet Fit Guide

VTEK® Wither Relief

VTEK Wither Relief Fly Sheet Fit

The VTEK® Wither Relief style fly sheets are designed to prevent rubbing and relieve pressure on moderate to high-withered horses. They’re an excellent choice for Thoroughbreds, Warmbloods, and Appendix-type horses. It features an extended drop to cover a deeper heart girth shaped with darts at the hips to give a more contoured fit around the rump. The v-shaped wither construction gives a unique upward lift that allows space between the blanket and the point of the withers, extending 6 to 8 inches onto the mane with fleece padding where the mane meets the fly sheet. The additional benefit of the Adjusta-Fit® hook and loop closure to adjust the neck and shoulder area for your horse’s specific build. Available in senior and attached neck fits.

Attached Neck VTEK® Wither Relief

Attached Neck VTEK Wither Relief Fly Sheet Fit

The Attached Neck VTEK® Wither Relief provides the same great fit as our standard VTEK® fit but with an attached neck cover. It’s designed to relieve pressure on moderate to high-withered horses, such as Thoroughbreds, Warmbloods, and Appendix horses with upright shoulder conformation. The neck cover, attached with lycra, offers your horse full protection from ears to tail.

V-Free® Wither Relief

VFREE Wither Relief Fly Sheet Fit

The V-Free® Wither Relief fly sheet is designed to prevent rubbing and relieve pressure on low to moderate-withered horses. It’s perfect for Quarter Horses, Stock Horse breeds, and Arabians. It features an extended drop to cover a deeper heart girth shaped with darts at the hips to give a more contoured fit around the rump. The v-shaped wither construction gives a unique upward lift that allows space between the sheet and the point of the withers. The sheet begins where the mane ends with a large neck opening, sloped neckline, and fleece padding where the mane meets the sheet. Available in attached neck fits.

Attached Neck V-Free® Wither Relief

Attached Neck VFREE Wither Relief Fly Sheet Fit

The Attached Neck V-Free® Wither Relief provides the same great fit as our standard V-Free® fit but with an attached neck cover. It’s designed to relieve pressure on low to moderate-withered horses, such as Quarter Horse, Stock Breed, and Arabian horses with sloped shoulder conformation. The neck cover, attached with lycra, offers your horse full protection from ears to tail.

Cutback Wither

Cutback Wither Fly Sheet Fit

The Cutback Wither style is designed to cut away at the withers, leaving the mane and withers completely uncovered and pressure-free. It’s perfect for Friesians, Saddlebreds, Tennessee Walkers, and some Arabians. It features an extended drop to cover a deeper heart girth shaped with darts at the hips to give a more contoured fit around the rump, a larger neck opening, a sloped neck line, and a cut back to leave an opening for the withers.

Euro

Euro Fly Sheet Fit

Our Euro-fit fly sheets are designed to drape comfortably and adapt to most conformations and breeds. The straight fit from withers to back, and the sheet comes up 4-6 inches onto the mane, fully covering the shoulders and withers.

Attached Neck Euro Fly Sheets

Attached Neck Euro Fly Sheet Fit

The Attached Neck Euro Fit provides the same great fit as our standard Euro fit but with an attached neck cover. It’s designed to drape comfortably and adapt to most conformations and breeds. The neck cover, attached with lycra, offers your horse full protection from ears to tail.

High Neck Euro Fly Sheets

High Neck Euro Fly Sheet Fit

The High Neck Euro Fit provides the same great fit as our standard Euro fit but it’s designed to provide additional coverage from mid-neck to tail. It’s designed to drape comfortably and adapt to most conformations and breeds.