[runNjump86]

My original question was about closed front vs. open front fly sheets.


I'm comparing Schneider's Dura-mesh and their Micro-Mesh sheets. What I gather from reading about them is the Dura-Mesh is similar in feel to a Kensington, as in stiffer but really breathable, while the Micro-Mesh is simliar to the Kensington Polymax, as in soft and flexible. I actually had one of those and liked it, but gave it to a friend because it was too big for my horse.

Anyway...my horse is getting bit right along his spine and the underside of his neck, so I'm wanting a material that will not make him sweaty but will keep the nasty creatures from putting more welts on my poor horse. I need one with a neck cover, obviously.

Thoughts? Opinions? Has anyone had either of these sheets? I'm worried that the micro-mesh will be too soft. He's not too hard on his clothes but he has neighbors who are.

[goeslikestink]

yes - one its light weight2- some reflect the sun hence why they are often white or silver and 3 they are meant to be as cool as possible
winter rugs are to keep ponies warm and are double if not treble the thickness
and no a light weight out door rug isnt the same either
as often fly sheets are not waterproof either
they are worn to stop the fly bitting the horse

look here at www.sweet-itch.co.uk this will tell what the fly/gnats can do to a horse
as you know not all horse/ponies have this problem, mine does
she has a fly mask fly sheet plus i baby oil her every week as baby mositurises the skin and the oily product is that flys dont like it

cheep and easy she has full body of coat and full mane and tail

[Simkie]

I can't say that I've ever seen a closed front fly sheet, runNjump. I do think that they're less likely to rub since they're lighter weight. Just go with whatever you find that fits he horse the best

[hundredacres]

I have a closed front fly sheet - I ordered it by accident and love it. It's the Schneiders light blue mosquito mesh and belly band -- all the horses have them now because I like the way they stay in place.

[Zu Zu]

Love my 'closed front' fly scrims because they stay in place better when the 'characters' roll ~

thus they seem to last longer ~

[Renaissance Lady]

Do these fry scrims stand up to being out in pasture during the day? My black gelding is really being attacked by flies this summer and I MUST find something that will alleviate them somewhat. Also, has anyone tried any of the leg covers and if so, what works and doesn't work?

[runNjump86]

Awesome! I'm looking at Schneider's duramesh fly sheet. I really wanted to order through SmartPak, but their blankets fit my horse well, and I can order a smaller size in the neck cover, unlike the Weatherbeeta fly sheet.

[runNjump86]

yes - one its light weight2- some reflect the sun hence why they are often white or silver and 3 they are meant to be as cool as possible
winter rugs are to keep ponies warm and are double if not treble the thickness
and no a light weight out door rug isnt the same either
as often fly sheets are not waterproof either
they are worn to stop the fly bitting the horse

I know the difference between a winter turnout and a fly sheet. I was wondering if the style of front would be an issue.

But thanks.

[StellaTMK]

I have the SS heavier one. LOVE it! Of all the horses both naked and wearing other brands of fly sheet, my boy is the dry one. The only places he will sweat is under the binding of the front around the neck, maybe a 2" strip. We are on the 3rd year and still going strong. I highly recommend the heavier sheet due to better air flow and reflectivity.

[Lieslot]

I have the Dura-mesh, they work will and keep flies out, but when the temps hit 90F and above they sweat like maniacs underneath it.
That being said they'll sweat under a soft mesh Weatherbeeta in over 90F too.

The only thing they'd sweat under less is a scrim sheet, but no way that can be used for turn-out.

[rememberthenight]

I bought te duramesh fly sheet for my husbands horse. It has held up really well for the last few years. My bear of a horse finally put a tear in the back after trying for a few years. I replaced it with a finer mesh since where we live now seems to have more of the tiny no-seeums and I wasn't sure if the bigger dura-mesh would protect as much.

[retrofit]

I have a Duramesh sheet. It is a bit heavy and stiff, but it works great for the giant horse flies. I don't make my horse wear it until the big flies are out in force though, because it's heavy and makes them sweat.

For a lighter sheet, I prefer the Amigos to the Micromesh. The Micromesh is a tighter weave and looks hotter. The Amigos (to me) walk that line between soft but still strong enough for turnout.

With that said, my horse is very easy on her clothing. Ain't nobody gonna bite her!

[wcporter]

I bought this one: http://www.sstack.com/horse-blankets...eld-fly-sheet/

Protection and fit are awesome.

It was a bit hot, so per the advice of another COTHer, I took out all but the chest panel and wither lining (very easily with a seem riper and some scissors) and that seems to help keep him cooler. Even so, it comes off over 90 and his super lightweight scrim goes on or he goes naked. Luckily, his pasture mate doesn't tear the scrim up.

[deltawave]

I have several. They are fine--not as thick, heavy and stiff as the ones that are made out of that awful beach chair fabric, and not as flimsy as the super-soft ones that practically dissolve after a few weeks.

[runNjump86]

I have several. They are fine--not as thick, heavy and stiff as the ones that are made out of that awful beach chair fabric, and not as flimsy as the super-soft ones that practically dissolve after a few weeks.

Which one do you have? The Dura-mesh?

[Frizzle]

I have the Mosquito Mesh open-front bellyband fly sheet and neck cover and I cut the entire nylon lining out (except for a tiny patch over the withers, and the little pleats in the shoulder gussets) and my boy has been wearing it 24/7 here in hot & humid Miami. He's outside all but about 3-5 hours a day, so it definitely gets its wear, and so far *knock on wood* it is holding up beautifully. The mosquitos are brutal here, so my boy is very grateful for the protection--he pretty much begs me to put it back on after I hose or groom him.

[FineAlready]

I have the interlock mesh one with belly band and full neck:

http://www.sstack.com/horse-blankets...mbo-fly-sheet/

I also have the mosquito mesh (for the same horse):

http://www.sstack.com/horse-blankets...and-fly-sheet/

I got the mosquito mesh one because I thought it would be lighter/cooler for the really hot days.

I LOVE the interlock mesh one and hate the mosquito mesh one. The mosquito mesh fly sheet rubbed his shoulders raw within 2 days (despite being lined), and he is getting large, welted bites under the fly sheet. I feel like it does no good at all. I will probably still use it only for SUPER crazy hot days, but I'm going to switch him back to the interlock mesh sheet for the majority of the time. It has held up really well for over a year now, and he is very comfortable in it (and really doesn't get all that warm in it either).

[deltawave]

Mine are the interlock ones

[KrazyTBMare]

I have several. They are fine--not as thick, heavy and stiff as the ones that are made out of that awful beach chair fabric, and not as flimsy as the super-soft ones that practically dissolve after a few weeks.

Ditto. I have the duramesh flyshield one and love it. The cut is excellent for my gelding and I love the deep sides. Sure he will sweat on his shoulders and neck from it but he is going to sweat anyways when it gets to 90+ degrees esp when the humidity is up. But the flies really drive him nuts and he does well with it. Esp b/c he is HARD on clothes - his own and others. My old boarder bought the same sheet for her gelding and not a seam out of place after 24/7 turnout with the two boys.

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._7059712_n.jpg

And you can see here he has no problems moving in it
http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._5424224_n.jpg

[JBCool]

I just bought this one and have been very impressed with it so far. yesterday was the first day I noticed him sweating in it but it was stinkin' hot yesterday (and today and tomorrow...).

http://www.sstack.com/horse-blankets...esh-fly-sheet/