Choosing the Best Horse Sheet
Horse sheets are important for protecting your horse from the weather, dust, or biting insects. Horse sheets are thin, light, and breathable and they do not contain any insulation or fill like the typical horse blankets. Here are the four main kinds of sheets to help you decide which option is best for your horse:
Stable Sheets
Stable sheets are lightweight horse sheets designed to keep your horse clean before shows or while they are in the stable. These horse sheets are not waterproof.
Rain Sheets or Turnout Sheets
Rain sheets or turnout sheets are designed to keep your horse from getting wet in warm weather. They have no filling but they are waterproof and protect from the rain in cool weather. They are especially good for the spring and fall seasons when a turnout blanket might be too heavy.
Therapeutic Sheets
Therapeutic sheets are designed to increase blood flow, aid in healing injuries, and prevent injuries while your horse is wearing them. Many people use these sheets after they work their horse as a preventative measure or to help them recover from injury.
Fly Sheets
Fly sheets are horse sheets specifically designed to keep biting insects off your horse during warm weather. Fly sheets for horses are usually made from mesh to allow more airflow through the blanket, while also keeping insects off.
Frequently Asked Questions About Horse Sheets
What is a horse sheet used for?
Horse sheets are mainly used to keep dust off of your horse, protect them from rain, or prevent them from getting bitten by insects. Horse sheets are mainly used in warmer seasons like spring, fall, and summer when thicker horse blankets might be too heavy for the temperature.
Does my horse need a sheet?
If your horse comes in shivering after being turned out, but it is too hot to use a thick turnout blanket that may be a sign they need a horse sheet. In addition, if they are being eaten alive by insects a fly sheet could be beneficial.