Fly Sheet vs Fly Spray for an Older Horse
Physical cover or chemical repellent for a thin-skinned senior. Cost over a season, sun protection and what neither of them fixes.
The short version
A fly sheet is the better main defence for a senior horse. It works all day without reapplying, it does not sting broken or sun damaged skin, and the UV blocking fabric protects pale muzzles and old scars from burning. Fly spray is what you add for the head, legs and belly the sheet does not reach, and for a horse who will not tolerate a rug. Neither one deals with the actual source. Muck management, standing water and a fly predator programme cut the population itself, and that does more over a season than anything you put on the horse.
At a glance
| HILASON UV Protection Horse Fly Sheet | Farnam Endure Sweat-Resistant Fly Spray, Gallon | |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | All day while worn | Hours, less in sweat or rain |
| Covers head and legs | No, needs a mask and boots | Yes |
| UV and sunburn protection | Yes | No |
| Suits broken or sensitive skin | Yes, if fitted well | No, avoid open skin |
| Cost over a season | One purchase | Recurring |
| Rub and heat risk | Real, check daily | None |
Choose the HILASON UV Protection Horse Fly Sheet if…
Choose a fly sheet for a horse who lives out through fly season, particularly one with pink skin, a history of sunburn, sweet itch, or old wounds that flies find. Fit matters on an older horse whose topline has changed: check the withers, shoulders and points of the hip daily for rubs, because thin skin over a prominent bone marks up fast. Remove it daily, look under it properly, and wash it when it stiffens with sweat and dust.
Check HILASON UV Protection Horse Fly Sheet on Amazon
Choose the Farnam Endure Sweat-Resistant Fly Spray, Gallon if…
Choose a spray for the parts a sheet cannot cover, for a horse who will not wear a rug, and for turnout in short sessions. Read the label for the species and the concentration, apply from a cloth around the face rather than spraying at the eyes, and never apply to open skin or fresh wounds. Sweat resistant formulations last longer on a hot day. Store the container out of sun and out of reach of anything that drinks from a bucket.
Check Farnam Endure Sweat-Resistant Fly Spray, Gallon on Amazon
Related
Comparison based on published manufacturer specifications and the general consensus of owner reports. We have not tested these products side by side. Confirm current specifications and prices before buying. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.
On the spray side, our Farnam Endure review covers what sweat resistance really buys you and why the 14 day claim is an upper bound rather than a schedule.
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Cosequin ASU for the Older Horse
The joint supplement with the most research behind it in horses, combining glucosamine and chondroitin with avocado and soybean unsaponifiables. Worth starting before an older horse is visibly stiff rather than after.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are flies actually a health problem or just an annoyance?
Both. Flies transmit disease, feed on wounds and eyes, and drive horses to stamp, which is hard on old joints and on hoof walls. Face flies are associated with conjunctivitis, and stable flies bite hard enough to cause real distress. In an older horse who cannot move away quickly, or who has an eye already compromised, the case for physical protection is stronger than for a fit young horse.
Will a fly sheet make my horse too hot?
A properly designed mesh sheet is lighter than the sun on a bare back and reflects a good deal of it, so most horses are cooler in one than out of it in full sun. The failures are cheap solid fabrics, poor fit, and sheets left on a wet horse. Check underneath daily, and take it off if the horse is sweating under it in still, humid weather.
My old horse has started rubbing out his mane and tail. What is going on?
Do not assume it is only flies. Persistent rubbing can indicate sweet itch, lice, pinworms or a skin infection, and each needs a different treatment. An older horse with a compromised immune response is also more prone to skin problems generally. Ask your vet to look rather than working through the fly shelf, and mention anything else that has changed such as weight, coat quality or shedding pattern.
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