It’s finally summer! You know what that means. FLIES, FLIES, AND MORE FLIES. You may be looking for a new fly mask for your horse to try and combat those relentless bugs this year. But with all the options available, it can become pretty difficult to determine which one you should purchase.
After having horses for over a decade and having bought quite a few different fly masks over the years, we are here to share some of what we have learned. We’ll talk about why you may want to use a fly mask, discuss the benefits of different styles, and show you a few of our recommendations.
Why You May Need a Fly Mask for Your Horse
There are many different reasons why you may want to use fly masks on your horses. Some are obvious, some maybe not.
First off, the obvious one, fly masks will help keep biting flies off your horse’s head. You can protect the eyes and jaws and, depending on the style you use, the ears and nose. This not only helps keep your horse comfortable but also prevents the more sensitive horses from becoming irritated.
Secondly, fly masks can greatly protect fairer-faced horses from the sun’s harmful rays. Sensitive areas like around the eyes and the muzzle can be shaded and protected from painful sunburn.
Thirdly, if your horse sustains an eye injury, fly masks can help keep the area free of dirt and irritating insects. They can also help shade the eyes of horses that experience light sensitivity.
How to Choose an Appropriate Fly Mask for Your Horse
There are many different features that fly masks can offer. I will list out a few of the common ones you may see and what their benefits are for your horse.
Ears
Some fly masks offer attached, covered ears. This would benefit any horse that is particularly sensitive to flies. Even if your horse isn’t very sensitive, it is still a great feature. Be sure you check that the ears are large enough for your horse to prevent any rubbing.
Noses
Fly masks that have extended noses are great for those that have pink skin on their muzzles. The added protection can help prevent sun burn. There are some companies that even make detachable nose covers (although, personally, I don’t recommend them due to how easily they fall off).
Forelock Opening
These openings are great for horses that have big, puffy forelocks. By pulling the hair through the opening, the hair will not get messed up underneath the mask. They also prevent the forelock from getting in your horse’s eyes.
Closure Type
There are typically two kinds of closure for fly masks: Velcro and pull on. Pull on masks can be great for easy on and off action, but can get stretched out over time and twist easily (especially by Monarch *cough cough*). They are great for horses that might be sensitive to the sound of loud Velcro. Velcro closure fly masks are great at staying put (most of the time) and are typically more adjustable for a snugger fit.
Fabric Type
Fly masks are usually made of some form of mesh material. Thicker mesh is more durable, moldable, and good for turn out, but can be harder to see through. Finer mesh masks are great for riding or for horses that have poor eyesight, like Blitz.
Fly Masks Reviews
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Below are some fly masks that I have personally used and some pros and cons for each one!
Cashel
I currently use the Cashel Crusader line of fly masks on three of our four horses. Monarch and Shocker wear the Crusader Horse Fly Mask with Ears and Long Nose in the Horse size. Stormy wears the Crusader Horse Fly Mask with Ears in the Miniature size.
Pros
- Fit well – anatomical design
- Haven’t noticed any rubs
- Multiple options
- Best for nose cover durability and length (in my opinion)
- Wash well
- Durable mesh
- Well-designed forelock hole
Cons
- Can cause some sweating (heavier material)
- Can start to wear on the eyes first (not very fixable)
- Not much variation in color/patterns
- Harder to see out of (bad for horses with vision issues)
- A little more expensive than other brands
Overall, Cashel is one of the best fly masks (in my opinion) and has numerous design options such as with or without ears, with or without nose cover, long ears, and everything in between. To be clear, I am not being paid to say that. I just really love their masks. 🙂
Another great option is Cashel’s Quiet Ride line that is perfect for horses that are sensitive to flies while they are working or that have vision issues due to their lightweight design and fine mesh. I use this line when riding Monarch since she is quite sensitive to flies in her face.
Professional’s Choice Lycra Masks
We currently use Professional’s Choice Comfortfly Lycra Mask for Blitz. He is a very old horse who has developed some vision issues. We tried a Cashel mask on him but found that the thick mesh made it too difficult for him to see. Like all the non-horse people say, we actually did sort of blindfold him!
This style of mask is better for him because it allows him to see clearly through the mesh. He really should have a nose cover for his pink nose, but we manage it well enough with aloe vera and sun screen. Like his mask? Get it here!
Pros
- Easy on/off
- Fun colors/patterns available
- Lightweight
- Easier to see out of
- Inexpensive
- Easier to mend (fabric)
Cons
- No nose cover
- Can get stretched out over time
- Twist easily
- Easy on/off (not good for Houdini’s)
- No forelock hole
Farnam Fly Masks
When we first started owning horses, Farnam’s line of masks is what we went with. They were and still are readily available at nearly every Fleet Farm or farm store that sells horse products. However, to me, these have more cons than pros, but, again, that is just my opinion.
Pros
- Typically more affordable than other brands
- Multiple options – no nose cover option
- Some options allow forelock to be pulled out
Cons
- Don’t fit that well
- Often too short on the face ( in my experience)
- Hard to size – limited sizing
- Cheap mesh – prone to quick wear
- Hard to see out of
- No forelock hole for ear covered options
This is not to say that these masks wouldn’t work for you. If you are looking for an affordable option or have a horse that is prone to destroying their fly mask, this may be the best option for you. In my experience, they just haven’t worked the best for me and my horses.
Thank you so much for reading about how to choose the proper fly mask for you and your horse. I know there are tons of other options out there but I wanted to share what I have tried and what I feel works best for me and my horses. Let me know if you have any other favorite fly mask brands down below! I’d love to hear from you.
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