Alright, so we are approaching fly season and it always gets really bad out here.  One of my mares, my 24 y/o arab, has a really hard time keeping weight on during fly season because they are always stomping and stuff.  Would it pay for me to get her a fly sheet and what type would you recomend?  Another thing; do the fly sheets also protect against misquitos? They cause half the problem up here.

 If that is the case, I would say yes to a nice fly sheet and fly boots (just make sure you get some that are reinforced so they don't sag) -- I had some fly boots and I loved the way they worked, but they were saggy so I had to chuck them.  If it's a fine mesh, it should protect her against a lot of the mozzies too.  Make sure the sheet is light coloured and breathes very well so she is not sweating beneath it.  

OK, that sounds good. I've never used any types of blankets or sheets on my horses and I don't know if they have ever had them.  My arab is totally not spooky but I'm wondering if her having a sheet could cause issues in the pasture? Some of their pasture has a lot of trees and branches and stuff.  Also, what would be a good price for a fly sheet and boots.  And what type do you use?

I have the cheap mesh one for S...the only problem I had was because it only x-ed across her stomach, it was pretty open and there was a period that horseflys got under it! I'm seriously considering upgrading to one with a belly band to help prevent that...even 'tho it was pretty funny when they got under her sheet and she would come galloping up to me to kill them :)

Another question. How do I measure FA for a blanket? Also, does the fact that she is an arabian with a slightly smaller build make a difference?

Are these the type of fly boots you were talking about?

http://cgi.ebay.com/WHITE-ARABIAN-HORSE-FLY-BOOT-WRAPS-RIDING-HORSES-BOOTS_W0QQitemZ230250430101QQihZ013QQcategoryZ16236QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I don't use a fly sheet because my horse sweats crazily already, even just standing there, so I don't really want to put anything on him.  Most of those sheets rip pretty easily (compared to a turnout blanket) so if it did catch, I'd expect it to tear right off.  Of course, you definitely want a belly band to it.

I like any fly boot that is light coloured, has stays to hold it up (prefer stiffened nylon to plastic), and nice velcro.  If they're $20 or less, don't buy them (I learned that the hard way!).  I just saw some in SmartPak's catalog that I like, let me see if I can find the link...

Here they are!  http://www.smartpakequine.com/productclass.aspx?productClassId=2292&GCID=C11284x040

I put fly sheets on the two retired horses and the QH with the sensitive hide.  The others have sheets, but I don't use them anymore.  I found with Zip that he fussed  worse over flies under saddle if he wore a sheet in the pasture.  Dakota is a roller, so the sheet winds up torn or tangled.  The mini has a fly sheet, and sometimes I remember to put it on.  For some reason flies don't like him.  Wish I knew his secret; I'd bottle it and make a fortune!