What Is a Scrim Sheet for Horses?

A scrim sheet is a soft, breathable mesh sheet that protects your horse from dust, dirt, and bugs.  

It offers no warmth, but it looks sharp on the horse and keeps their coat clean and show–ready. 

A scrim sheet is made of lightweight, breathable materials. Most scrim sheets feature a mesh-like or open weave fabric. This piece of horse clothing is designed for airflow and is quick-drying, without holding in warmth. Unlike a stable blanket or a cooler, it is not typically insulating against chilly temps. 

A scrim sheet isn’t designed to keep your horse warm, and it’s not for cold weather use.  

While some scrim sheets offer insect protection, not all are made with fabric that protects against bugs. Some have a wider weave that is too loose to keep out pesky flies and mosquitos. It’s always best to have a fly sheet on hand for your horse. 

Scrim sheets are also not suitable as a medical bandage or for post-procedure use. 

If you’re wanting your horse to stay clean, with light coat polishing, a scrim sheet is a great option. Typically, scrim sheets are used: 

After bathing your horse, you may reach for a cooler to help dry your horse’s coat in chilly weather, but on a hot day, a scrim sheet may be a better option. The scrim sheet helps wick moisture from your horse while keeping them clean and cool, and can reduce the chances of fresh dust sticking to a damp ​​coat. 

Horse shows and events have arenas and stalls delivering clouds of dust everywhere. A scrim sheet acts as a light “dust layer” to keep your clean horse dust-free. Some scrim sheets, like this one from Equinavia, are designed to fit over your saddle, making them ideal to throw over your tack in between classes and at the warm-up pen.  

Keep your horse covered in a scrim sheet in a stall to prevent ambient dust from marring their perfect grooming. 

During shipping and travel, your horse may encounter road dust, hay particles, and shavings that can settle into their coat or even cause abrasions. Depending on the material, a scrim sheet can act as a light barrier against these irritants.  

Additionally, the lightweight, breathable construction also makes scrims suitable for warm travel conditions—although you should always carefully monitor your horse throughout the journey. 

Similar to a light jacket for humans, a scrim sheet is a perfect thin layer for horses in warm weather because it doesn’t trap much heat. Scrims are helpful for horses who can get chilly after exercise or bathing, and for when you don’t want a fluffy cooler. 

Finding one article of horse clothing for all uses is tough. Your best bet is to know which sheet works best for different situations. Here are some tips to help you navigate your horse’s wardrobe: 

A fly sheet is designed to protect against insects, and often has features like belly bands, neck covers, and UV protection.  

A scrim sheet aims for breathability and keeping your horse clean—not always bug protection. Check the product description to see if the material is suitable for that purpose. 

A cooler is typically designed to wick moisture from a wet or sweaty coat, and its fabric provides more warmth than a scrim sheet.  

A scrim sheet is lighter than a cooler, and often less insulating. 

While every horse is different and conditions vary, here’s a general guide to selecting a lightweight article of horse clothing: 

• Use a scrim sheet during warm or mild weather, and when you want light coverage. 
• Use a fly sheet when bugs and/or UV rays are the main problem. 
• Use a cooler when your horse is sweaty or wet after a bath, and when you want to keep your horse warm. 

While a scrim sheet is a useful and versatile piece of clothing, it’s not always the best option. Here are a few situations when you might not choose a scrim sheet, for your horse’s safety and/or comfort: 

• Hot, humid conditions: Even with a lightweight scrim sheet, in these conditions, any sheet can contribute to overheating. Make sure to monitor your horse closely. 
• Cold weather: A scrim sheet may not provide enough warmth.  
• High rub risk: Thin materials and poor fit can cause rubbing at a horse’s shoulders, withers, or chest.  
• Chewers or playful pasture pals: Sheets can tear, and loose straps can be a hazard.  
• Skin issues: If a horse has active skin irritation, ask your vet before using any sheet that could rub or trap moisture.  

The sheet’s fit and suitability to your desired purpose matter more than which sheet is most expensive. Here are some tips to find the right scrim sheet for your horse: 

Measure your horse while they’re standing on even ground. Place one end of a flexible measuring tape in the center of your horse’s chest below the base of the neck. Stretch the tape horizontally along the horse’s body to the center of the horse’s tail. The measurement will equal the size sheet your horse needs. If your horse is between sizes, choose the next size larger. 

When you put the sheet on your horse, check that they have freedom to move their shoulders, that it’s not too tight around their withers, and that it’s the right length to cover their flanks and belly. 

Scrim sheets come with different methods of closure. Some have buckles, some have snaps.  

For adjustability, or for use on more than one horse, you might find buckles a better choice. 

Some scrim sheets have surcingles and leg straps, which are necessary if your horse will be wearing the sheet while loose in a stall or paddock.  

But if you’re only using the sheet while the horse is supervised or tied up, this may be overkill. 

A sheet with a more open weave will have more airflow but will offer less protection from dust and bugs. A tighter weave offers more coverage but could be less breathable. 

A neck cover gives additional cleanliness protection but could rule out using the sheet when it’s hot. A tail cord versus leg straps could make for easier application in a supervised setting, while leg straps have more stability when the horse is loose. 

No matter what article of clothing your horse is wearing, scrim sheets included, you need to routinely look over your horse. A horse can’t tell you if they’re hot or itchy. Here’s what you should check: 

• Check temperature and sweat level under the sheet.  
• Inspect for rubbing daily, especially shoulders and withers. 
• Make sure straps are secure and not dangling.  
• Avoid turning out in a sheet unless the sheet is designed for it and your barn considers it safe.  
• Ask your trainer/barn manager about best practices for your setup. 

Regular care extends a sheet’s life and can help prevent skin irritation. Here are some steps to follow: 

• Shake out dust and hair from the sheet regularly.  
• Follow label instructions for washing, using gentle cycles and mild detergents. 
• Fully dry the sheet before storing to prevent mildew.  
• Store folded or hung in a breathable area.  

A scrim sheet offers lightweight coverage to keep your horse clean. It can also help dry a horse if they’re sweaty or wet from a bath.

Yes, but look for one with wide mesh material, and monitor your horse for comfort.

Not always. Look for insect and/or UV protection in the product description if you want the scrim sheet to double as a fly sheet. A scrim sheet is made of mesh, and if it’s loose mesh, it won’t act as a fly sheet.

No. A scrim sheet can aid in drying a horse, but a cooler offers warmth and a scrim sheet does not.

Yes, but monitor your horse for overheating and comfort.

It should have room for shoulder movement and not fit tightly around the withers. 

On a warm or mild day, yes. If it’s chilly, choose a cooler instead.