Shires Sweet Itch Combo Fly Sheet is rated
4.1 out of
5 by
34.
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Courtney from
Must have for horses with allergies/sensitivities
I think people are way to hard on this sheet because I LOVE IT
I have a horse that's allergic to her entire existence. She gets daily medication for this but honestly nothing helps her as much as this sheet. Her skin gets dry and flaky when exposed to nature/bugs and I have absolutely zero issues when she wears this.
Is it hot? Yes. That's kind of a given when you are utilizing a fabric intended to keep EVERYTHING out. I live in Minnesota and there are some days she can't wear it in peak summer, but for the most part she wears this 24/7.
The fabric holds up decently. Mine has a couple of tears on it, going into its second season of use. Nothing that impacts it's ability to function optimally.
It's relatively breathable for what it is. If it's going to sprinkle I can leave it on and not worry about it. If it's going to pour down rain you will need to take it off. It does retain a decent amount of moisture and takes a little bit to dry once it gets soaked, but it washes easy.
Date published: 2024-06-02
Rated 1 out of
5
by
LAS413 from
Not good, at least for geldings
I bought this a couple of months ago in anticipation of fly season. I tried it on my gelding using the picture as reference and it fit just as shown. I used it for the first time yesterday and the belly piece was covered in urine. I don't think there's any way to adjust it so that this doesn't happen. Pretty disappointed in this purchase.
Date published: 2024-06-01
Rated 4 out of
5
by
Robin from
Does the job!
This is the first product I've ever liked enough to review -- ever. My mare normally wears a 75 but the 72 fits well, stays in place and fully protects her. I gave it a 4 rather than a 5 because I'm worried that it will be too hot for her in the 90-degree-plus weather that we have here in south Louisiana.
Date published: 2023-05-15
Rated 1 out of
5
by
Y4cattt from
Ripped off 1st day
Date published: 2022-06-29
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Isaac Noton from
Extremely durable, great value!
This is the second one I’ve had in five years. It’s the only one I will buy!
Date published: 2022-04-19
Rated 5 out of
5
by
bmarie from
Good Coverage!
This sheet has good coverage and is very breathable. My boy definitely seems happier when he has it on with little to no tail swishing. I hope it will keep him comfortable during the insect peak months. I also love that it is breathable so he doesn't sweat in it. I bought the 81". My horse is a stocky built, shorter Quarter Horse and the chest is just right. Would definitely buy again.
Date published: 2022-03-24
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Borboxers from
Great fit!
My mare was getting bit up! The blanket has really helped!
Date published: 2022-01-19
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Horsemom1129 from
Great coverage
My OTTB mare suffers from the dreaded insect bite hypersensitivity....particularly the midges
I had been using a Big Buster, but the shires Highlander offer better coverage head to tail, and the fabric is solid so the bugs can’t get thru
Date published: 2021-05-29
Rated 3 out of
5
by
Sporthorse from
Solid sheet, not very breathable, caused chest rub
Well put together sheet, but due to making it impervious to bugs, it is fairly solid and does not breath well. Also, the trim rolled in front and caused chest rubs on my mare. The Velcro in front also slips, but that puts the fuzzy side next to horse so not so bad....
Date published: 2020-09-06
Rated 4 out of
5
by
Freya from
Almost perfect protection... for mares
This is a really unique piece of horsewear, and a pretty cool product for mares with insect hypersensitivity. With highly adjustable full belly coverage as far back as it can go, it is a godsend for my girl, who really suffers from reactions along the mid-line of her belly. But, as others have mentioned, this feature would be a total disaster on a male horse. Ironically, the sewn in "fillet strap" fitting that comes default instead of leg straps at the back is a total fail for a mare. So if you decide to go for this, I recommend just cutting it off before your mare splatters pee all over herself the first time she goes (all the while staring at you with shame and disgust). It stays in place surprisingly well with no rear fittings at all, though, so you can probably get away without buying leg straps.
Like most horses with sweet itch, mine rubs her mane and tail incessantly during a flare up. She also has full time access to a turnout with trees and bushes, making short life of anything not made of kevlar. She was in the midst of a bad flare up when this sheet arrived, so she immediately put it to the extreme blanket rubbing test. There were four small tears along the neck and shoulder in the first 24 hours, but the rip stop did what it was supposed to and they didn't compromise the blanket. For reference the material is not mesh, but the lightest version of a typical rip stop blanket outer with no lining, making it reasonably tough and still highly breathable.
My mare is a "big-boned" draft cross. The length of the blanket was spot on (an 81), but it's a little tight over the withers for a bulky horse with a high neck. It would probably be OK if she was just bulky or just high-withered, and the shoulder gussets help a lot with the rest of the front end fit, so I decided to keep it. That said, I try not to leave it in her for days at a time if I can help it, because while it doesn't seem to rub, I worry that the pressure would become uncomfortable. Kind of a drag because IHS horses kind of need full-time clothes when bugs are bad...
I like the hood more than I thought I would. Her neck is not particularly long for her size, and it fits just right with plenty of scope for grazing (but not too much). While she does liberate her ears about 50% of the time, it still stays right where it should be even with the ears off, and provides great protection under her neck all the way to the throat latch.
Quality-wise, it's not the best, but it is acceptable. They cut a few corners here and there. I have only had it a few weeks, but I think it will hold up long enough in the end, even with the abuse it is likely to get from my horse.
Date published: 2020-08-20
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