I have that same problem here in Kansas. I like pretty much everything Weatherbeeta makes, but probably had the best luck with the Saratoga. Not only was it the cheapest one I bought, it also held up to the abuse better and seemed cooler for the horse.

I am in Georgia, and we have a very similar problem here. I do not like the fly sheets. All of our horses have them, but we never use them, 'cause it just makes them SWEAT!!!! (they are LIGHT, but made out of plastic-like material....plastic + humidity = one wet horse!) I have found that if you will mix avon skin so soft with some fly spray or vinegar with fly spray that it works really well. There is also a recipie that calls for dawn dish soap, skin so soft and vinegar - but I'm not sure of the parts of each. I have also fed vinegar in the feed, so when they sweat it comes out through their pores.  (when the vinegar sweats through, they don't stink. Of course if none of the above work, you could "make" him a tail. In the saddlebred world, it is a common occurence to cut all but a foot or so of tail off in order to make a switch. To help out these horses, I have seen hay strings tied together and then tied into a braid in the tail. (Of course you wouldn't want the hay strings dragging the ground :)

Edited to say: I had heard of feeding garlic for the same reason as vinegar, but FORGET THE GARLIC THING - thanks aznewguy!

Good Luck and Keep us Updated!!