Product Review: Weatherbeeta Supa Fly Insect Shield Fly Sheet

Welcome to EN’s Product Review series! Who doesn’t love shopping, especially when the object of your search is new gear for yourself or your horse? As an enthusiast of all products equine, I LOVE trying out new gear. Please join me as I narrate my personal journey of trying out all of the products featured. While I will make no recommendations, I hope you have fun reading about my many adventures of trying new products, and that hearing about my personal experiences helps you on your own quest for new gear. Go Shopping.

I definitely like that the Supa Fly sheet blocks up to 70% of UV rays. Definitely a plus considering Roo's dark bay coat is prone to bleaching out in the sun. Photo by Lorraine Peachey. I definitely like that the Supa Fly sheet blocks up to 70% of UV rays. Definitely a plus considering Roo's dark bay coat is prone to bleaching out in the sun. Photo by Lorraine Peachey.

I can’t get enough of the bright and sunny weather of the summer season. The warm weather. The long days. It’s been absolutely lovely to change into my riding clothes each day after a long day in the office, so that I can go ride my pony.

After pulling off a quick wardrobe change, I head out to bring the boys in from their pasture. That’s usually when I start to try to fend off those pesky biting flies. I’m apparently quite the draw for those tiny winged nuisances. My horses, however, seem quite comfortable.

That’s because before I turn them out each morning, I tack several extra minutes onto my routine. After feeding. Mucking stalls. Filling water buckets. And tossing out some flakes of hays. I make sure to outfit my boys in their armor … fly armor, that is!

At my farm, every horse gets their own fly sheet and fly mask. Why? Because I can’t imagine allowing them to be irritated and practically eaten alive by flies in the field. The tail swishing, weepy eyes and numerous welts really warrant some fly protection.

My young pony in training, Rufus, definitely needs his fly protection. He is particularly sensitive to insect bites, and is prone to welts during the summer season. So I definitely make sure that he has adequate fly protection so he doesn’t get eaten alive.

This season, I’ve been wearing the Weatherbeeta Supa Fly Insect Shield Detach A Neck Fly Sheet. While the name might be a bit of a mouth full if you try saying it five times fast, it helps to highlight some of my very favorite features of this particular fly sheet.

The Supa Fly sheet also features a removable neck cover, which is comfortably loose fitting. It can be easily attached or detached with four velcro loop closures. Plus, I like the velcro loop at the top that I can use to attach the top to a halter to keep it in place. Photo by Lorraine Peachey.

The Supa Fly sheet also features a removable neck cover, which is comfortably loose fitting. It can be easily attached or detached with four velcro loop closures. Plus, I like the velcro loop at the top that I can use to attach the top to a halter to keep it in place. Photo by Lorraine Peachey.

The Supa Fly sheet is constructed out of a supa (or super!) strong mesh material. The mesh outer is lightweight, and it works double time to keep Roo protected from bugs and from overheating under the warm summer sun.

What exactly are the standout features of the Supa Fly sheet from my perspective? Out of the gate, I found myself smitten with the fully detachable belly band of the sheet. Roo gets particularly bothered when bugs bite at his sensitive belly, so this was a huge plus!

I also found myself really interested to try out the Supa Fly sheet, since it features Insect Shield technology. Which helps to provide Roo with effective and long lasting personal protection from mosquitoes, ticks, flies and fleas.

And the really cool part? The Insect Shield technology was made to be effective for up to 25 washes of the Supa Fly sheet! Also, it is worth mentioning that the Insect Shield Repellent that the sheet is treated with is EPA registered as well.

The Supa Fly sheet also features a removable neck cover, which is comfortably loose fitting. It can be easily attached or detached with four velcro loop closures. Plus, I like the velcro loop at the top that I can use to attach the top to a halter to keep it in place.

Other features that I find helpful: I definitely like that the Supa Fly sheet blocks up to 70% of UV rays. Definitely a plus considering Roo’s dark bay coat is prone to bleaching out in the sun. And I appreciate the handy quick clip closure coupled with velcro on the front.

The Insect Shield Technology of the Supa Fly sheet helps to provide Roo with effective and long lasting personal protection from mosquitoes, ticks, flies and fleas. Photo by Lorraine Peachey

The Insect Shield Technology of the Supa Fly sheet helps to provide Roo with effective and long lasting personal protection from mosquitoes, ticks, flies and fleas. Photo by Lorraine Peachey

Some other features not to be overlooked are the traditional shoulder gussets, to help provide freedom of movement. And let’s not forget the full wrap tail flap or removable web leg straps in the hind either, both which help support the sheet’s fit and function.

Now, most importantly, how has Rufus fared in his new Supa Fly sheet this season? From the time that the sheet came out of it’s packaging and was fitted on Roo, I felt really happy with the way that it fit and draped over his stocky frame.

The Supa Fly sheet looks very nice, with just the right combination of the white sheet with navy and blue accenting. The quick clip buckles are super easy to fasten, which saves me precious extra minutes when I’m outfitting Roo before heading to the office.

I also find that I really like the fit of the belly band. The elastic built into the straps gives it a nice snug fit against Roo’s belly, without being too snug. Which means that there is no space for flies to sneak in and bite his sensitive tummy!

The time that it takes me to fasten the web leg straps and velcro the neck cover is minimal. Just that quickly, Roo is off to enjoy his day out in the sun while being shielded from irritating biting insects.

And what does Roo look like when I return home at the end of the day? I’m happy to report that the Supa Fly sheet has stayed in place nicely on Roo, without that awkward slipping or sliding down one side of his bum. Which is totally not cute.

And at the end of the day...I'm greeted by a happy Roo, who is cool, comfortable and protected from biting insects and harmful UV rays! Photo by Lorraine Peachey.

And at the end of the day…I’m greeted by a happy Roo, who is cool, comfortable and protected from biting insects and harmful UV rays! Photo by Lorraine Peachey.

More importantly, I find that my Roo feels cool and dry when I check under his Supa Fly sheet. Because the lightweight mesh helps to keep him from overheating. And I’m happy that his lovely dark bay coat had all day protection from UV rays.

Finally, I am so happy to see that I see less flies around him. With a traditional fly sheet and mask, I’ve had to brush large numbers of flies off of Roo’s nose and neck. However, the Insect Shield Technology really appears to help deter biting insects. Supa awesomeness!

The Supa Fly Insect Shield Detach A Neck Fly Sheet is available from Weatherbeeta in sizes 60″ through 84″. It has a retail price of $149.99, and you can find out more about it here.

Go Beating those Biting Bugs. Go Weatherbeeta. Go Eventing.