Best Horse Fly Sheets of 2024

Keeping irritating flies and mosquitoes off of our horses can be a challenge during hot and muggy months. Adding a fly sheet is an easy way to protect your equine from pesky insects while also offering UV protection to help prevent sunburns or a sun-bleached coat! With a variety of options on the market, we understand the difficulty of picking out the best fly sheet for your horse and environment. That's why we've put together all of our favorite fly sheets in one place!

Depending on your needs, location, or personal preferences, there might be specific options that will work best for you and your horse. A proper fit is important to help prevent bugs from sneaking under your horse's fly sheet, while breathability is vital in particularly hot, humid environments to ensure your horse does not become overheated. We took the work out of choosing which fly sheet is best by breaking down a variety of factors like sizing, durability, breathability, and coverage (and let's be honest, colors and patterns too).

In this annual buying guide, we evaluated a full range of fly sheets to bring you our top picks of the season; we also considered some cons of each to help you feel better prepared. If you are new to the concept of fly sheets, continue reading below for further details in our frequently asked questions section at the end of this article.

Our Top Picks

Our Review: Made from super durable Textilene, the Kensington Surefit Fly Sheet is our top choice for horses who are hard on their clothing. This extremely tough, yet flexible, material can stand up to the roughest of play while still allowing air to pass through. It also does a great job in preventing sunburns and coat bleaching by blocking up to 73% of UV rays. Finished with updated leg arches for improved comfort, we are confident this fly sheet will last your blanket wrecker more than one season. Plus, who doesn't enjoy plaid?!

Read more in our Kensington Fly Sheet, Mask, and Boot Buying Guide!

Our Review: A fly sheet doesn't need to break the bank! We picked the budget-friendly Saxon Combo Neck Fly Sheet because, despite its low price, it still has all the features you need to keep your equine covered during fly season. Its soft and breathable mesh is lightweight, making it ideal for warm temperatures; however, this sheet may not be the best option for blanket wreckers because of the thin material. The belly band offers protection from biting insects, while the long tail prevents any sun bleaching. Available in a fun print and solid colors, this economic sheet is our perfect choice for horses who are kind to their clothes, or for the equestrian looking to buy multiple fly sheets in a season.

Our Review: For hot temperatures, we recommend the Weatherbeeta ComfiTec Zephyr Plus Mesh Fly Sheet to keep your equine cool and comfortable! The soft, durable polyester mesh allows air to freely pass through to prevent overheating and provides 75% UV blocking protection. No sunburns here! A neck and full tail wrap provide maximum coverage alongside an ultra belly wrap, helping protect your horse against both bugs and the sun. This also makes the Weatherbeeta sheet universal for dark- and light-colored horses alike!

Our Review: The Horze Defender Combo Fly Sheet with Neck & Belly stands out in the pasture with its super cute floral print, which we are obsessed with! But don't be fooled; this sheet is more than just a fun pattern with a fly mask attachment spot, traditional shoulder gussets, and a full belly wrap. We chose this great-value fly sheet because everyone here at Riding Warehouse is scrambling to buy one for their horse!

Our Review: The Weatherbeeta Sweet Itch Fly Sheet is the perfect solution for the most sensitive of horses. This sheet is durable with a ripstop 600-denier fabric construction that can withstand pasture wear and tear. Meanwhile, a full grazing hood complete with an ear bonnet section provides maximum coverage to protect against bug bites. Finished off will a full belly band and extra-large tail flap, you can rest assured your favorite equine will stay itch-free all season long!

Our Review: The Horseware Mio Fly Sheet was made for the small equine in your life. We picked this "fun-sized" fly sheet because it offers everything you need to keep your pony or smaller horse protected from the bugs and sun. An integrated neckpiece and super-sized tail flap offer great coverage—say goodbye to itchy tails that get rubbed out! Classic leg arches offer freedom of movement for your pony to safely do their bucking and playing antics with ease.

Our Review: Made from natural hemp and organic cotton, the Rambo Natura Summer Sheet is our top pick for the most sustainable fly sheet. Not only is it eco-friendly and biodegradable, but this sheet is also packed with amenities such as Horseware's exclusive disc-front closure, improved hood shape to offer more coverage, and dual leg arches for unhindered movement. If your horse has coat health issues, sunburns easily, or is just a sensitive soul, then this sheet is a great choice!

Our Review: The versatile Kool Coat Airstream Sheet is our favorite day sheet because it can be used as an all-around option during summer to keep flies off of your horse, whether you're home or traveling. The lower mesh panels allow airflow to circulate around the sheet; however, we should note that the Kool Coat isn't appropriate in extreme temperatures as the top, chest, and tail sections of this sheet are not mesh and therefore do not offer quite as much breathability. That said, a full neckpiece and large tail flap offer the "Kool" coverage your equine needs!

Our Review: The newly designed hood of the Horseware Protector Fly Sheet easily makes it our top pick for the best neck coverage. The extended, close-contact hood shape offers an improved fit and therefore maximum protection against flies and insects. Available with either a disc or v-front closure, you can choose the best fit for your horse's anatomy. The unique self-repairing fabric is durable, breathable, and built to last for many seasons. We think the investment is worth it!

Our Review: Preferred by our staff, the LeMieux Armour-Tek is the RW Crew's favorite fly sheet of the year! As with all LeMieux products, this sheet is made of the highest quality materials—ensuring it will last. The mesh fabric is highly breathable and provides a "second-skin fit" to better ward off flies and bugs. It is also naturally anti-bacterial and anti-static, so your horse won't experience any skin infections or be zapped when you go to remove this sheet!

Q: Does my horse need a fly sheet and are they worth it?

A: Fly sheets can definitely be worth it; however, as with most topics in the equestrian world, it depends! Horses who live in extremely "buggy" areas can benefit from having most of their body protected from annoying flies. Some horse owners may choose to use fly sheets to offer UV protection to prevent sunburn (or coat fading). Meanwhile, others may be dealing with skin conditions, such as sweet itch, and need maximum protection from the elements and bugs. There are many horses who don't need a fly sheet and can get away with just wearing a fly mask during the summer months. When deciding if your horse needs a fly sheet or not, consider your location, your horse's specific needs, and how sensitive your horse is to bugs. For more information on fly sheets in general, check out our guide to fly gear for horses!

Q: What type of fly sheet is best for my horse?

A: When deciding on which fly sheet is best for your horse, you should think about the amount of protection you are looking to provide them against insects or the sun. A more sensitive horse might need a full neck cover and belly band, while a less-sensitive horse can wear a standard fly sheet. You should also consider conformation, such as high withers or wide shoulders, and purchase a fly sheet accordingly that provides the best fit to keep your equine comfortable. If you have a horse that's particularly hard on their equipment, we suggest investing in one with durable materials so it can last at least one season. In short, tailor your fly sheet choice to meet your horse's specific needs!

Q: What size fly sheet should I order?

A: To discover your horse's fly sheet size, simply measure them from the center of the chest, across the shoulder point, and to the point at the center of the tail. This will also roughly be their blanket size! You can read more about fly sheet and blanket sizing in our how to measure for a horse blanket article.

Q: How long does a horse fly sheet last?

A: This depends on whether your horse is turned out with other equines, as well as how hard they are on their clothes. "Blanket wreckers" are known to be extremely tough on their fly sheets, while horses who live in a herd might have their clothes destroyed for them. There are two avenues equestrians may choose: 1) purchase cheaper, lower quality sheets since they will be destroyed anyway, or 2) invest in a more expensive sheet that is known for durability—and cross your fingers and hope it lasts. Horses who are not living with others and are kind to their clothes can often have a fly sheet last more than one season!

We hope this guide helped you find the perfect fly sheet for your horse! Knowing which features are the most important to you, and which aren't, can help to narrow down the options and make the buying process a bit easier. For more fly gear guides, check out our Best Fly Masks and Best Fly Sprays to offer your horse total coverage during the warmer months. If you are in need of more assistance, you can always reach out to our helpful customer service at info@ridingwarehouse.com or at 1(800)620-9145. Ride on!

Shop the Best Fly Sheets of the Year