Damaging Fly Masks

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Louby Lou

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At the beginning of the fly season I invested in two new fly masks, the ones from last season were on their last legs. I always use a mask with ear covers as we have a problem with nasty flys going in their ears.

The overall fit was fine but within two days both horses had a big sore patch on the bridge of their nose. I took the masks off immediately but sadly the damage was all ready done! Both grew back with WHITE hair so I now have a beautiful Dark Bay with permanent white marks down her nose. The other horse happens to be grey so not quite such a disaster.

Wondered if anyone else had experienced a similar problem and with which brands as I don’t want to purchase anything else that might cause more harm?
 
I use the Equilibrium one and have had no problems with rubbing...the entire edge that sits on the horse is covered in material that is slightly padded so does not rub.
 
I bought a new Mark Todd one, the largest size and put it on my girl who is part bred TB and does not have a big head, for 6 hours only and when I took it off, she had two big bumps on her nose. I was going to bin it, but I cut off the elasticated bit going around the nose and use it on my pony. I wasn't very pleased!! but the bumps went down the next day and as far as I know no permanent damage.
 
i also bought a mark todd large for my 15.2 who does not have a huge head and after 8 hours she also had 2 lumps on her nose..i didnt use it again but she now has 2 white marks on her nose as well so i was not best pleased..equilibrium are brilliant, fit really well and have plenty of padding round the nose....
 
I also use the equilibrium masks that are padded around the nose and brow sections and haven't had any problems. Have seen horses that have been rubbed by other makes though.
 
Ditto re. different types causing problems. I tend to change mine around quite a lot; we're particularly good at rubbing holes in the ears (grrrhhhh!!) so I have to be quite handy with needle & thread.

I know there was one which wasn't very good, was very hard material round the nose bit, so I sewed on some furry material and it was OK, but shouldn't have had to do it. The problem is that most of these masks are "made in China" where they've probably never seen a horse!

Mine used to be at a BHS yard and they said there that it wasn't good policy to leave fly masks on 24/7, presumably for this reason.
 
I use the full face Shires ones for Lola, it has the net that goes right down over the nose too so it doesn't sit across the middle of the face and rub. Lola's quite a fine skinned TBxAppy and i've never had any problems with rubbing or anything. The ears tend to rip into holes quite easily but can be repaired, i brought a few for £6 inc P&P off e-bay at the end of the winter so for that price i dont really mind if i have to buy a few & throw ripped ones away.
 
Hi,

I'm not sure which brand you are using, but I buy them from decathlon. They are cheap and not the best quality but for a tenner you can my one with ears and fleecy bits round the poll and nose. They get me through the summer so 10 quid a year is cheap for a disposable mask (after the summer they are pretty much knackered). My boy also is sensitive to rubbing and I haven't had a problem with these masks since I have been using them. (Used them every summer for the last 3 years).
 
I have a white weatherbeeta roma one which is fleece edge and velcro fastens so I keep it a little loose but stays on snug and doesnt mark nose. I love it cos it has stopped her itching her face raw and our boy getting conjuctivitis from flies.
 
I had one that rubbed a few years ago so I sewn fur arround the nose and it was fine. Ive tried the Shires one which I thought was great for the money but daft horsey was like a maniac as I walked him to the field. He returned to normal when I took it off, thankfully before I let him loose as I reckon he would have freaked. All I can think is the material is shiny and with the sun on it made funny shadows that could be seen if you wore it .... yes I tried it :D
Im using the Field relief midi from Equalibrium, its on its 3rd year and is great. Mine doesnt fit snug arround his nose but Ive never had a problem with flies getting in. Someone on our yard uses Cashel which seem good but she puts them on so tight, they rub under the jaw :(.
 
Interesting mine was a Mark Todd Mask too. Really just wanted to find out if the problem with them was much bigger than the supply was telling me. I believe it is I now know of Five horses. They tell me they are going to remove the elastic for next year....... to late for our poor horses.
 
I use the equilibrium one too - full face with ears and the nose cover too. During that really hot weather she wore it 24/7 and it only wore the hair away a tiny bit and certainly not sore. More like the rubbing you would get from a rug on the shoulders so would not cause grey hairs.

They are pricey though - think I paid £34 for mine at the local tack shop.

Fi
 
pottamus said:
I use the Equilibrium one and have had no problems with rubbing...the entire edge that sits on the horse is covered in material that is slightly padded so does not rub.
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Ditto have used them for ages,did try to use different to save money once,and soon chucked them in bin.
You could try sewing some sheepskin lining around edge,an old girth sleeve is idea to use if you have one hanging about, do a couple and make sure they are clean,so just tack them on. Did it once on a pony rug as it was rubbing ponies withers. Lady did call and say it was helping.
 
I used the Mark Todd grey flymask and it rubbed my horse within a day, he now has a small patch of white hair on his nose....he's 16yrs i've had him since he was 3 and he has no blemishes or lumps/bumps and a blimmin fly mask gives him white hairs on his nose.....most annoyed :(
 
Some time ago I had a thread going about Fly Masks leaving white marks across the nose. Found a perfect solution to disguise the problem. Just for Men BEARD Dye either brown/ Black of Black......it covers it like nothing else I've ever used.:)
 
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