Amigo Bug Blocker fly sheet

[3equines]

OK so I am contemplating 2 different fly sheets for Crystal, who has an allergic condition triggered by a parasite carried by biting midges.

Before unloading a large chunk of cash, I want to know if these insect-repellant-infused blankets are worth it, or would i be better off with a regular fly sheet (half the cost) and the spot-in fly repellant I already use (Equi-Spot, backed up by spray-on fly repellant).



Both Amigo and Rambo are marketing such blankets, Amigo's running in the $130 rande and Rambo's around $150. Dover saddlery sells both:

http://www.doversaddlery.com/product.asp?pn=X1-24602&EID=X172300H2&TID=GOOGLE-N&ids=537390347


Has anybody used any of the fly sheets made by Amigo or Rambo? Or their new fly-repelling sheets?


Of course, my biggest concern with fly sheets is how long will they actually last before they become Swiss Cheese ;) in which case I would rather spend $50 three times over on a standard fly sheet than have to replace one of the premium ones

[dustys_girlly]

it looks like a soft/cloth mesh style sheet. if she is turned out with anything she can run on and snag it she will and it wont last. they might cost a little more(sometimes) but the PVC/ plastic coated style sheets are the best way to go. i had one last 5 years, i still have it as a back up and it works just fine i just got a newer one that had a belly attachment as well.

one option:

http://www.doversaddlery.com/crusader-fly-sheet/p/X1-2483/cn/4743/

[HeavensEast]

I had an Amigo fly sheet for Heaven. It's really nice. Only used it like 3 times, because I moved him to natisha's where flies aren't a problem.

It didn't seem to make him hot, but I can't tell you how it would hold up to a horse that is really rough on fly sheets, as I only used it a couple times.
http://www.doversaddlery.com/product.asp?pn=X1-24603&tid=froogle&CATALOG_CODE=1X814&EID=X1814001&zmam=1460880&zmas=1&zmac=49&zmap=X1-24603

[3equines]

I'm pretty sure that most of the lightweight/stretchy fly sheets out there won't last a year :( so its a matter of cost in the end.

Who has a fly sheet they love?

I got a nice, tough one from Zoe222 in a heavy duty poly mesh, it is the right size for Sweet P - who turned her lightweight fly sheet into Swiss Cheese last summer;)

My ultimate criteria are belly band and neck coverage, tail flap would be nice but not a must have.

The Cashel Crusader has some harsh reviews on Horse.com - guess the shoulder seam blew out on two different occasions - within a week.

Weatherbeeta is a pretty reliable brand all around, so I may just get this:
http://www.horse.com/item/weatherbeeta-airflow-detach-a-neck-combo-sheet/E002202/

I really like the design on this one, especially that the belly band is attached to a surcingle type webbing strap:
http://www.sstack.com/horsewear_fly-protection_dura-mesh-protection/dura-mesh-flyshield-bellyband-fly-sheet/

and they do offer a neck piece for another $22, which puts it about where the Weatherbeeta combo is priced at
http://www.sstack.com/horsewear_fly-protection_dura-mesh-protection/dura-mesh-neck-cover/

[HeavensEast]

I'm pretty sure that most of the lightweight/stretchy fly sheets out there won't last a year :( so its a matter of cost in the end.

Who has a fly sheet they love?

I got a nice, tough one from Zoe222 in a heavy duty poly mesh, it is the right size for Sweet P - who turned her lightweight fly sheet into Swiss Cheese last summer;)

My ultimate criteria are belly band and neck coverage, tail flap would be nice but not a must have.

The Cashel Crusader has some harsh reviews on Horse.com - guess the shoulder seam blew out on two different occasions - within a week.

Weatherbeeta is a pretty reliable brand all around, so I may just get this:
http://www.horse.com/item/weatherbeeta-airflow-detach-a-neck-combo-sheet/E002202/

I really like the design on this one, especially that the belly band is attached to a surcingle type webbing strap:
http://www.sstack.com/horsewear_fly-protection_dura-mesh-protection/dura-mesh-flyshield-bellyband-fly-sheet/

and they do offer a neck piece for another $22, which puts it about where the Weatherbeeta combo is priced at
http://www.sstack.com/horsewear_fly-protection_dura-mesh-protection/dura-mesh-neck-cover/
Natisha has the weatherbeeta sheet you posted for her mare Whiskey. It held up well last summer for her, but the most she does is roll. Her pasture mates never get close enough to her to tear up her sheet. She's the boss. :p

[natisha]

Natisha has the weatherbeeta sheet you posted for her mare Whiskey. It held up well last summer for her, but the most she does is roll. Her pasture mates never get close enough to her to tear up her sheet. She's the boss. :pYes, I like it. I did remove the tail flap as Whiskey has a partially paralyzed tail & it caused her to get very messy back there.

[Lynn_70]

I have a Rambo sheet but without the bug blocker stuff in it. It lasted well for a whole season of 24/7 wear on my gelding that gets sweet itch and likes to RUB on things. It did get a couple smaller snags that were easily repaired. I did find it on ebay for about $75 last year- :) But would invest in one again when it wears out. If you have a cheap one that gets shredded, it gives opportunity for the bugs to get at your horse unless you have a spare on hand all the time. I know with my boy, in one day, he can get very irritated and cause itching and rubbing for a week- which then wrecks your blankets even more quickly!

[OwnedByOurHorses]

OK so I am contemplating 2 different fly sheets for Crystal, who has an allergic condition triggered by a parasite carried by biting midges.

I have spent tons of money on those sheet and other and have found that they don't really help with the midges. They get into the tiniest of places finding their way under the sheets. For our gelding that has the same condition as Crystal we have put him on Hydroxyzine Pamoate once a day during the midge season along with using a feed thur wormer. After the vets decided last year this would be best for him since I was not able to find fly protection sheets that would hold up to the wear and tear or fit snug enough without rubbing to prevent access to the midges. He has only had one very mild outbreak on his face that caused itching. I used the vetericyn hot spot spray and it healed up quickly