Anyone used those titanium calm masks?

[Meadow21]

Hi just wanted some real opinions from people as I don’t know anyone whose had one. They are the black masks you often see show jumpers in, they supposedly calm the horse. They look a bit like the snuffy hoods but just on the face, not neck My boy is very anxious, especially when hacking and in new environment. He never does anything nasty, just gets really worked up and doesn’t listen/concentrate. Just wanting to know if the masks work before I splash out on one.

 

[Illusion100]

Someone mentioned these to me as well. But no idea if they work. Looking forward to replies from anyone who has tried and tested them.

 

[Marigold4]

I haven't used one myself but know a trainer who swears by them for anxious horses out hacking.

 

[Regandal]

A fellow livery uses one, swears by it. I suspect a placebo effect though!

 

[Mynstrel]

We have one and it definitely calms. No idea why but it does. Recommended by 2 different people who use them successfully for 2 different reasons.

The rider isn't somebody who'd be influenced by stuff like that or nervous in any way so I don't think it's affecting him by seeing it's on. We were advised to put it on a while before using as it works better, ie a couple of hours before working, travelling etc and that does seem to be the most effective way we've found of using it.

My take on how it works is that it's possibly like a thunder shirt ie pressure points or does the reflected heat (material appears similar to back on track stuff) relax the poll and hence remove tension from other areas too...?

Don't know, don't care, it works for us ?

 

[Identityincrisis]

I've read the information on them and just can't see how they CAN have an effect other than placebo. Someone recommended them to me but they are an awful lot of money for what i see as pseudo science

 

[LegOn]

A friend has one for her horse who suffers from headshaking syndrome - it has significantly improved his quality of life when ridden! Literally the difference from wearing and non-wearing is hugely significant.

Another horse on the yard who is just spooky seemed to be benefiting from it aswell, just more relaxed and focused.

 

[Mynstrel]

I've read the information on them and just can't see how they CAN have an effect other than placebo. Someone recommended them to me but they are an awful lot of money for what i see as pseudo science

I agree, but they seem to do something - for our horse anyway. We bought it with the plan that if it didn't work then enough people have them that we could sell it on without losing too much, and some website do offer a rental to give it a go before you splash out on one.

 

[Starzaan]

I had a rehab livery in who had one, and it definitely made a difference to him.

 

[ester]

My suspicion is that plain lycra would do the same job (I think Elf has said thats whey they hood some of the racehorses)

 

[Flowerofthefen]

My suspicion is that plain lycra would do the same job (I think Elf has said thats whey they hood some of the racehorses)

I think its more ong these lines. I think k the feel of it wrapped around the head and the warmth it creates is what helps.

 

[ester]

I use compression wear for the same reason ?