Kentucky Horsewear - Fly Sheets

A fly sheet, also called a fly rug, is a lightweight, mesh-constructed rug designed to protect a horse's body from flies, midges, and other biting insects during turnout. Unlike a standard turnout rug, a fly sheet has no waterproofing or insulation, it is designed purely for fly protection in warm weather. Horses that stamp, swish their tails persistently, develop sweet itch, or show signs of stress from insect irritation will benefit significantly from a fly sheet. Kentucky Horsewear fly sheets are available at Emmers Equestrian in-store and online with worldwide shipping.

A fly mask covers the horse's face, eyes, and ears, protecting the most sensitive areas from flies. A fly sheet covers the horse's body from neck to tail, protecting the skin, coat, and flanks from biting insects. The two products complement each other: used together, a fly mask and fly sheet give your horse complete head-to-tail fly protection during turnout. Kentucky Horsewear produces both fly masks and fly sheets in co-ordinating colours, and Emmers Equestrian stocks both, making it easy to put together a complete matched fly protection set.

Kentucky Horsewear fly sheets provide a physical barrier against the Culicoides midges that cause sweet itch, making them a useful tool as part of a sweet itch management plan. For horses with severe sweet itch, a specialist sweet itch rug with a finer mesh and full neck and belly coverage may offer more targeted protection. However, for many horses with mild to moderate sensitivity, a good quality fly sheet like those from Kentucky Horsewear provides meaningful relief from the insect bites that trigger the condition. Always consult your vet about a complete management plan for sweet itch.

Yes, the mesh fabric of Kentucky Horsewear fly sheets provides a degree of UV protection for the horse's coat and skin. This helps prevent sun bleaching of the coat, particularly relevant for dark or bay horses in strong summer sun and offers some protection for horses with pink or sensitive skin. While a fly sheet's primary purpose is insect protection, the UV filtering benefit is a valued secondary advantage, especially for horses that spend long hours at pasture during summer.

Kentucky Horsewear fly sheets are sized by rug length, measured from the centre of the horse's chest to the furthest point of the hindquarters in a straight horizontal line, typically in centimetres. Sizes generally range from around 105cm for smaller ponies to 165cm for large horses. If your horse is between sizes, sizing up is recommended for better coverage. Our team at Emmers Equestrian can advise on sizing in-store, or refer to the Kentucky Horsewear size guide when ordering online.

Fly sheets are generally designed for daytime turnout use when fly pressure is at its highest. In most cases it is not necessary to leave a fly sheet on overnight, as insects are less active after dark. Removing the rug at night allows you to check the horse's skin and coat for any signs of rubbing, irritation, or injury. If your horse is stabled overnight, a fly sheet is not typically needed indoors. Always remove and check a fly sheet regularly, even a well-fitting rug can cause rubs if left on without inspection.

Kentucky Horsewear fly sheets can be machine washed on a gentle cool cycle in a large-capacity front-loading machine, or hand washed with a mild detergent. Shake off loose debris before washing. Avoid fabric softener which can reduce the breathability of the mesh. Air dry flat or hanging away from direct heat — do not tumble dry as this can distort the mesh and affect the fit. Check fastenings, straps, and the mesh itself for wear or damage before returning the sheet to use each season.