I basically agree with Steve about the fly sheets with a couple of exceptions.
The horses
which are only out for a couple of hours will benefit from the fly spray (good
idea, Steve,
to keep it under lock and key....or color it purple) but the ones who are out
either
overnight or 24/7 might benefit from the sheets especially if they're the ones
with the
belly-covering area.
The research I've done and the sheets I've used in the past have shown that
there are some
which are durable...Wrangler brand being one tough one (tough jeans= tough fly
sheets?)I
also think that Victor doesn't need to be putting stuff on and off any more than
he usually
does so the daytime-turned out horses will survive without. Bo actually has a
fly suit
( which makes him look like a jousting horse/pony) because he's SO allergic.
I agree that the lower-quality sheets will make the horses hot and will not
stand up to
tears and rolling very well.


I haven't had much luck with fly masks because the horses in the big field seem
to enjoy
pulling halters and masks off...I've resorted over the years to putting a THIN
layer of SWAT
in Smudge's ears to help with the bugs....has worked fine - just don't use so
much that it
would melt and drip into the ear canal.


So, when you see Smudge and Tonka in sheets(and PINK ears)...don't think I am
disagreeing with the concensus...I am also convinced they (sheets)help block
some of the
UV rays which with gray horses can be an issue down the road. I also manage the
taking
off and putting on by myself without making it a burden for others...something
to
consider

There is a website (Schneiders....look it up) which has leggings for DRAFT
horses...extra
large and extra tall...those are benefical with the stomping which will keep
Eamonn and
Rob from appearing in our lives too often.

For the general Echo Farm horse population I would NOT suggest fly sheets.

Joan