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26 M AY/J U N E 2 015 UNTACKED Kool Coat Lite Standard Neck UV Fly Sheet TEST LAB >> When You Need… SOMETHING TOUGH AS NAILS Do you have a fly sheet destroyer? A horse that goes out in pristine new clothes in the morning and comes back in tatters by day's end? Then you need the Rambo Flybuster Vamoose with No-Fly Zone. Like its more wallet-conscious cousin, the Amigo Bug Buster, this Rambo is made of a soft, breathable fabric permeated with Permethrin for maximum fly repelling action. But where the Amigo is made of a lighter mesh, the Rambo is heavy duty. There are benefits and drawbacks of the heavier fabric. It will last longer, but it was also a bit harder on my fine-skinned horse's hair, despite the shoulder lining. I have another horse with a slightly thicker coat, and he had no problems wearing it all summer. It also seemed to be just a tad hotter than the Amigo, something to take into account if overheating is one of your top concerns. The Rambo comes with a detachable hood with a mane liner, and the V-front closure with the ring and snap attachments make for easy dressing and undressing. Three surcingles attach under the belly flap, which covers the horse's stomach. An oversized tail flap provides extra protection from sun and flying pests. Available in sizes 66-84; oatmeal/black or white. $209. Purchase or find a distribu- tor near you on Horseware.com. >> When You Want… SERIOUS SPF PROTECTION Tired of your bay horse turning buckskin over the summer? The Kool Coat Lite Standard Neck UV Fly Sheet is for you. Most fly sheets are made of some variety of mesh fabric, but the Kool Coat material is an ultra-light 210-gram polyester ripstop. It advertises up to 94 percent UV block. It comes with one chest buckle, two low crisscrossing belly surcingles, a tail flap and adjustable/removable leg straps. While the fabric is very durable and will probably last longer than most mesh sheets, my playful herd removed one of the surcingles completely when one of their number was turned out in this sheet. The material is very soft, and it's supposed to keep the horses cool by reflecting the sun, but I found that my horses did get warmer while wearing this than its mesh counterparts. However, if you live in New England, home of the infamous B-52 Bomber biting flies that scoff in the face of mesh, this sheet may well be the way to go to keep your horses more comfortable and sunburn free. It could also double as a light stable sheet/dust sheet. Available in sizes 69-87; black or white. $49.99. Find it at local and online Kool Coat retailers. >> When You've Got… A SENSITIVE TYPE If you're looking for a super-soft, affordable fly sheet that won't heat up your horse, try the EOUS Deluxe Action Fly Sheet. I found its tightly woven mesh material to be extremely lightweight and gentle on my horses' coats. Soft fabric lines the front of the sheet underneath the buckles to prevent chest rubs, and there's a fleece patch over the withers for added protection. The high arched shoulder gusset allows for plenty of movement. A full strip of Velcro goes under the belly to protect your horse's tender tummy, along with two surcingles to keep the blanket in place. Heavy-duty leg straps keep the sheet from shifting, and a detachable tail flap helps cover the entire hindquarter. This sheet also has rings so you can attach a neck cover, which is sold separately. The downside to this lightweight, soft fabric is that it's not very rugged. You have to be careful the Velcro doesn't snag on the mesh, and this is doubly true if you throw it in the washing machine. I don't think this sheet would hold up to a vigorous game of blanket tag. With 70 percent UV protection, this would be one of my top choices for a very hot and sunny day. I'd just beware of letting the blanket destroyer anywhere near this one! Available in sizes 69-90 (with pony and mini sheets available too); stone/ black. $89. Visit Equisupplies.com to purchase or find a dealer. Find The Right Fly Sheet For Your Finicky Filly Fly sheets come in an overwhelming variety of weights, fabrics and fits, but we've tested a variety to find the right one for you. By SA R A LIESER Rambo Flybuster Vamoose with No-Fly Zone EOUS Deluxe Action Fly Sheet

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