How to Choose a Horse Fly Sheet: A 30-Year Texas Guide

By Travis Colburn | AQHA-approved judge, third-generation Texas horseman, lead field tester for Hilason since 2018 | Last updated: June 16, 2026

Since 1995, we've been outfitting working ranches across Texas and the American West. If you've spent any time around a barn in July, you already know what flies do to a horse, and what the wrong fly sheet does to a working horse. The horse rubs. The sheet tears. The owner buys another one. Three sheets later you've spent $200 and your horse still has the same problem.

This guide is the same one we hand out at trade shows, written for working horsemen who need gear that holds up. It is what we tell our own customers when they call the shop asking which fly sheet to buy for a 16-hand quarter horse in south Texas. It is not a generic listicle. It is a field test summary.

Why a Fly Sheet Is Not Optional in the South

A horse under fly stress loses weight, rubs raw spots, and stops performing. We see this every summer on the ranches we service between San Antonio and the Gulf Coast. The economic case is straightforward: a working horse off its feed for two weeks during peak fly season costs more in lost condition than the most expensive fly sheet on the market.

The right sheet pays for itself in the first month. The wrong sheet costs you three times.

What Separates a Good Fly Sheet From a Cheap One

There are four things that matter, in this order:

1. Mesh weight and weave. Cheap sheets use open-weave poly that snags on the first fence staple. Working sheets use a tight-knit poly/nylon mesh that breathes but does not catch. The difference shows up at month three, not day one.

2. Denier rating. Denier is the thread thickness. Anything under 600D is a pasture sheet. Working horses need 1200D or higher. Hilason's ADFS series uses a 1200D equivalent on stress points and 600D on the body, which is the right balance between weight and durability.

3. UV protection rating. A sheet that blocks 60 percent of UV is a fashion statement. You want UPF 50+, which blocks 98 percent. Sun-bleached coats and skin damage are not fixable with a discount sheet in October.

4. Fit. A sheet that fits well stays on. A sheet that slips will be shredded by week two. Fit is not a brand thing. It is a measurement thing.

How to Measure Your Horse

Measure from the center of the chest, around the left side, to the point of the buttock. The number in inches is your horse's blanket size. Standard sizes run 66, 69, 72, 75, 78, 81, 84. If your horse measures between sizes, round down for a fly sheet. You want a little room for airflow, and fly sheets do not need to fit as snug as a winter blanket.

Hilason fly sheets are cut to fit a quarter horse build out of the box. For thoroughbreds and warmbloods with higher withers, look for the gusset style.

The Hilason Fly Sheet Line

We make five fly sheets on the ADFS platform. The platform is the same: 1200D reinforced shoulders, double front buckle, adjustable leg straps, gusseted shoulders, UPF 50+ mesh. The differences are color, pattern, and whether you want a neck cover or fleece boot.

ADFS Standard -- our workhorse. White mesh, 7 sizes, the one we sell the most of. 60 dollars.
ADFS Red Aztec -- same build, southwestern pattern. 60 dollars.
ADFS Navy/Red -- poly build, slightly heavier, 6 sizes. 60 dollars.
ADFS Black/Turquoise -- the most popular with our younger riders. 60 dollars.
ADFS Neck Cover (NF) -- the standard with a full neck piece for horses that get bitten above the withers. 72 dollars.
ADFS Fleece Boot (FB) -- the standard with fleece-lined leg panels for horses that rub. 75 dollars.

All five ship in 24 to 48 hours from our Texas warehouse. All five come with the same return policy. Pick by color and feature. The build is the same.

Care and Washing

Hose it off. Hang it to dry. Do not put a fly sheet in a hot dryer. The mesh will warp and the UV coating will degrade. If your horse is one of those that lies down in mud (and you know who you are), a soft brush and a bucket of water is enough. We have customers who have used the same Hilason sheet for six summers running.

When NOT to Use a Fly Sheet

A fly sheet is not a rain sheet. If a Texas thunderstorm is rolling in and your horse is in a metal pipe pen, take the sheet off. The mesh holds water and your horse will get cold. We sell separate rain sheets for that.

FAQ

Will my horse actually wear it, or will he destroy it?

Most horses accept a fly sheet within 24 hours. The ones that do not are usually the ones that had a bad first experience with a poor-fitting cheap sheet. Measure twice, fit once, and your horse will wear it.

Is it too hot for Texas in August?

No. A UPF 50+ mesh is cooler than direct sun on a dark coat. We have customers in Kerrville and Hondo running them through 105-degree days without issue. The key is airflow, which a breathable mesh provides.

How long does a Hilason fly sheet last?

Three summers is the honest answer for working ranch use. We have customers getting five or six. The first thing to fail is usually a leg strap, which we replace for 8 dollars.

Can I leave it on overnight?

Yes. The mesh breathes. We leave them on overnight at our own facility.

Does it block UV enough to prevent coat fading?

Yes. UPF 50+ blocks 98 percent of UV. A bay horse that lives outside in summer will stay dark.

What is the difference between a fly sheet and a fly mask?

A sheet covers the body. A mask covers the face and ears. Most working horses need both. We sell the matching fly masks separately.

Travis Colburn is a third-generation Texas horseman and AQHA-approved judge with 22 years training western performance horses. He has been Hilason's lead field tester since 2018. Travis writes the gear guides for hilason.com and uhorse.com based on what he sees actually working on ranches from South Texas to Montana.

Shop the Hilason fly sheet line: hilason.com/collections/fly-sheets | Free shipping on orders $49+ | Designed in Texas since 1995 | NBHA and AQHA sponsor.