Shires Sweet Itch Combo Fly Sheet is rated
4.3 out of
5 by
30.
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
MaddeNJ 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
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Cindy from
Finally found a fly sheet that works!
I bought this fly sheet a few months ago because I have a horse that suffers from sweet itch and is also sensitive to flies and other bugs. This sheet works great!! This is the first summer that he seems truly comfortable. It has also stayed intact despite all his shenanigans. It appears to be fairly rip-proof. Highly recommend (
Date published: 2019-08-17
Rated 4 out of
5
by
Smoky mountain equine from
Great quality and adjustable
I just bought this for my horse and she is a cowbred quarter horse (wide as a truck but short necked and body). The sheet body fit her perfectly on the smallest setting and only because the belly band can adjust on both sides which i really love that feature. But the neck was too long. (I know its supposed to have a little give so she can put her head down to graze but this was extra excess). The blanket appears to be of great quality so i gave it 4 stars. But i did return it due to the sizing and also it was very hot. It was too hot for a horse out in the pasture down here in Tennessee 23 hours a day.
Date published: 2019-07-05
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Liz N from
Great fly sheet
Although this sheet seems very heavy my mare has not gotten sweaty with it on in 90 degree humid weather. It provides excellent coverage and protection from bugs (especially midges). This sheet performs as it is intended and is holding up well. Also washed nicely.
Date published: 2019-06-29
Rated 3 out of
5
by
horselady64 from
Sad but I don't like it
While I love the concept and quality of this sheet it needs some revamping. If I had a mare it would be a great sheet. I put this on my gelding yesterday, and this morning I went out and the bellyband sits so wide and won't go any tighter that he peed all over it, so of course it soaked up into the sides if the sheet. It didn't have leg straps so I took some off of my other blankets to use. Unfortunately I I won't be using this sheet
Date published: 2019-06-02