Fly Mask Guide: Which Fly Mask is Best for my Horse? | Help & Advice | Houghton Country
A fly mask protects the horse’s face and eyes from insects that can cause irritation and infection to these sensitive areas, so is an important addition to your horse’s turnout wardrobe in the summer months. From lycra fly masks to provide an extra secure fit, to those with nose coverings, ear coverings and UV filter technology, there are a multitude of different designs available. This guide covers the main common features you might want to look for in the fly mask you choose for your horse. We stock a broad range of various designs of fly mask to suit every horse’s individual needs, as well as insect repellent to further deter annoying insects, and fly rugs to offer protection to the body of the horse.
Fly masks are made of a fine mesh material which creates a physical barrier between the horse’s skin and insects, with many designs additionally filtering out UV rays. The more tightly woven the mesh, the smaller the insects that it will be able to keep out, i.e. the more protection it offers. However, tighter woven meshes are less breathable and on very hot days the horse is likely to feel hotter while wearing a tighter mesh than a more loosely woven material. This same principle applies to the mesh that fly rugs are made from. Mesh is nevertheless still a very breathable material, and most fly masks are made out of a durable, tightly woven material to protect from midges and other small insects.
Many designs of fly mask feature a different type of mesh over the eyes, and this is usually because this part of the mask features UV protection, however some masks have this UV protective technology throughout the whole material of the mask. UV protection helps to diminish the risk of sunburn, bleaching to the hair and skin, and helps light-sensitive horses to be more comfortable on bright days. Fly masks protect the horse from more than just flies, and if your horse has pink skin around the eyes or muzzle, or is light-sensitive, a UV protective fly mask will be essential to keep them comfortable in summer.
Some designs cover not just the eyes but right down to the horse’s muzzle, featuring a nose covering. Fly masks with nose covering are chosen for horses with a pink muzzle. This pink muzzle will burn very easily during turnout in daylight hours, so covering it with a fly mask, as well as applying sun cream, is a sensible protective measure to take. If the nose covering is long enough to cover the nostrils, it will also help to filter pollen, which is helpful to a horse that is pollen-sensitive. Some headshaking in horses is caused by a pollen allergy, so if you have a headshaking horse, it may be worth seeing if they are happier while wearing a fly mask with a nose. A fringe at the nose is likely to deter insects as it swishes, but will not give as much protection from pollen or UV as a nose covering. Nose nets are usually worn with a bridle for protection during ridden work, but could also be attached to the noseband of a headcollar to filter out dust and pollen.
Most designs of fly mask have ear coverings as flies around the ears can be very irritating to the horse, but some designs have the ears cut out. Some horses struggle with their ears being touched and are very sensitive at this area, and these ones may be happier in a fly mask without ears.
Fly fringes remain popular with some horse owners, particularly those who have horses that feel restricted in a fly mask. The fringe moves as the horse moves, making it difficult for insects to get to the areas it covers.
Many horses remove their fly masks in the field, meaning they are left unprotected without it on. Ensuring your horse’s fly mask fits correctly and is not too big means it is more likely to stay on, and a fieldsafe headcollar over the top of the mask will help to keep the horse’s fly mask on if you find your horse is removing it regularly.
A fly mask alongside a fly rug and insect repellent, as well as fly boots if necessary, offers your horse protection from annoying insects in the summer months. Without protection, you leave your horse open to bites that can become irritated and swollen, and infection that may require veterinary attention. A simple fly mask reduces these risks significantly, protecting the eyes and face, and in some designs the nose and ears too.
