With so many choices out there, which flysheet is best for YOUR horse?

There are a multitude of fabrics out on the market from which to make flysheets, so we want to take a moment to help shed some light on our flysheet materials and highlight the features that separate our flysheets from all the rest. 

Flysheets are one of the best ways to protect your horse from the biting insects throughout the spring and summer months. Sprays and chemicals can only last so long and insects will not become immune to fabrics or protective coverings. 

We offer two fabrics to choose from; the Saratoga Summer Turnout material and our Oasis Summer fabric. Both are lightweight and durable materials that do an excellent job of keeping a horse bug free.

First thing to consider when choosing a flysheet is the climate where your horse spends the buggy summer months.  Those who live in dry climates may wish to purchase one type of material, while those living in a humid climate will need something slightly different. Polyesters tend to breath much more easily than Textalines or nylon goods, making them an excellent choice for warm weather fly protection regardless of where an individual lives. 

Our Saratoga Summer Turnout works well in all climate types across the country.  It is a lightweight, yet durable fabric and it breathes extremely well.  This makes it an excellent choice for both dry and humid climates because the fibers in the mesh are non-absorbent and wick away sweat from the horse, allowing it to evaporate more quickly.

Our Oasis material also does well in most climates.  Areas where it is hot and dry, the Oasis will excel.  The Oasis fabric is lightweight and comfortable, however, we have found that in areas where the temperatures get up into the high 80's and low 90's with relatively high humidity, Oasis may become too warm for some horses.  Oasis' tighter weave makes the garment extremely durable yet a bit heavier than the Saratoga Summer Turnout.

Garment	Durability	Breathability	Insect/Sun Protection	Coverage
Saratoga Summer Turnout	Good	Best	Better	Good
Oasis Summer Turnout	Best	Better	Best	Better
Oasis Euro Turnout	Best	Better	Best	Better
Oasis Plus Turnout	Best	Good	Best	Best

All our flysheets are made from white body fabrics because it is more reflective. Horses stay cooler in lighter colored garments because the sun reflects off of the sheets, rather than being absorbed by your horse's darker coat.

Our Oasis Summer Turnout goes one notch above many other flysheets because it offers more protection against both UVA and UVB rays. Not only will it help prevent coat fading in dark horses, but it also acts as a protective barrier for lighter colored horses who are often more prone to melanomas. The Oasis Turnout also comes standard with a full size tail flap to help protect the most sensitive areas from harmful rays.

Another important factor to consider when shopping for flysheets is durability. How tough a horse tends to be on his or her clothes will help to determine which type of material is best suited for them.

The Oasis is the best for horses that are known to be hard on clothing.  The tighter weave makes it stronger and it posses a similar burst strength to Textaline, yet is much more soft and coat friendly.  The decreased hole size also offers increased protection from biting flies.

The Saratoga Summer Turnout material is strong but may not be best suited for horses who are known to be rough on clothes.  The interlock woven mesh, meant for optimum air flow, is reinforced in the chest and shoulders for greater strength.  However, the larger weave of the Saratoga Summer Turnout can snag if worn by horses that rub constantly or have paddock buddies who 'help' them undress.  In this instance the Oasis material would be more suitable.

Finally, one must consider the care of the garment. Flysheets take a good deal of abuse.  They are subject to sand, mud and clay on a constant basis.  A garment that washes easily is key to keeping a horses skin from becoming aggravated by foreign materials.  Our Oasis material is treated with 3M Scotchgard for superior stain resistance.  Both our Oasis and Saratoga Summer Turnout materials are machine washable, dry quickly and can stand up to weekly washings with very little wear and tear. The plastic buckles found on the flysheets wash well and will not rust over time and are easy on your home washer. 

Flysheets can easily be worked into your daily and nightly fly protection regiment. For those of us in the northeast region, we have found that the Oasis Turnout works great for spring/fall and summer evening turnout, while the Saratoga is best suited for daily turnout during the hot, humid summer months. With the two fabrics and four styles to choose from, no matter what climate you may find yourself in, Saratoga Horseworks has got you covered!