Fly bonnets... Smart or pretentious?!

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LowenKi

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Do you use them or just consider them 'dress up'?!

Am considering using one as my new chap has had a virus in his ear and it's unsightly - white blotches and he's a dark bay so it really stands out. Am considering using a bonnet at clinics and comps etc to cover his ears so you don't see it, but don't want to look utterly pretentious ;) have heard comments in passing from both sides of the fence in the past!

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Ive got several. Dont always use them but i think they look smart and all mine have matching numnahs.

Find them good for blocking out noisy tannoys etc.

If you get some get well fitting ones, the worst ones are big floppy ears etc. They look rubbish if they dont fit so its worth avoiding the cheap ones.
 
I find many horses are more relaxed with their ears covered, especially in windy/noisy conditions and even without ear plugs so I use them quite a bit. I agree size is very important as some are very randomly constructed and don't stay put! I have a small collection of conservatively covered ones, some with the proper fringes for fly=y days, some just for ears. Best bet, if you want to be on the QT, would probably be to get one close to his coat colour.
 
Great to hear guys thanks, I was thinking of getting dark brown to match his coat.

I understand BD allow them at 'summer' comps... So am wondering how long I can get away with using a bonnet before they pull me up because they consider it is no longer summer lol!

Never had a horse with aural plaques before but they're very large and white and stick out a mile away bless him!

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I compete BD in a fly veil as
Bloss is really sensitive to flies so I like to eliminate any possible twitching!

You can compete BD in them as long as the test is outdoors. You can't ride indoors with a fly bonnet.
 
I like the plain cotton fly veils that are the same colour as horse - white/brown/black etc, can be really useful if you have a super-sensitive horse. Someone on my yard has a multitude of colours in various metallic braids, she calls them "ear bonnets" and it makes me want to hurl when I hear that!! Bit off topic ;-)
 
3bh they all seem to be called bonnets as opposed to fly veils, must be an American or European thing! I've heard lots of people making comments about them and am concerned people will think I'm just being pretentious! Still, if it covers up the plaques and keeps him more comfortable I shouldn't really care!
 
I wouldnt worry what others think! I use one in certain conditions as my mare is very sensitive to things around her ears. I think they can look v.smart :) and if they are beneficial why not?!
 
My horse has aural plaques & to be honest I hardly ever get anyone commenting on them.
Now he's older they're much less noticeable but when he was young they were very white & I only had the odd comment about them.
However I do now use a fly bonnet as he's always been a mild head shaker & this has got slightly worse as he's got older so I find covering his ears stops him getting irritated every time his mane,forelock or a fly touches his ears!
 
I used one for the first time recently, mine was being bothered by flies, but it helped her settle really well and she became much less reactionary to the tannoys
 
I'd never used one until this summer as the flies have been so bad. It's helped my lad as he can concentrate on what's being asked of him. He also shakes his head when his mane tickles his ears :rolleyes:and it's also stopped that. Not used at a show yet but I have bought a navy one to match my jacket for when we go get out.
 
I think if the horse has aural plaques then it is only fair to him to use ear covers, and I would ignore any comments. It can be very painful for the horse and also if they get aggravated the horse can become very ear shy.

Headley Britannia (little mare who won Badders, Burghley etc)has terrible ones and her bridle has to be split in two to put on so that you are not squashing it over her ears. Our boys bridle is put on like that too.

Its a welfare thing so carry on and use it!
 
Stops Fig flicking his ears at the flies and bugs, so I pop one on him as soon as it's vaguely sunny....just in case ;):rolleyes:

If the test is indoors, but the warm up is outdoors, there's no harm in warming up in one and whipping it off just before you go in :)
 
I use one on mine for SJ as he hates the wind in his ears and his mane tickling them.

I do think he looks a bit pretentious in it but I dont care as I know why we are using it and that it's not just a fashion accessory!
 
My old cob mare only ever had one twice. First time I put it on she shook her head until it came half off and it then fell down over her eyes. Second time I decided to attach it really firmly to the bridle, got half way round our hack before she'd finally had enough of it and shook her head so hard that her bridle came off. I didn't even know that was possible. Needless to say I dismounted at some speed to put her bridle back on and she never wore one again. Some horses don't like them!
 
i use one everytime i ride if theres any chance of flies,my horse doesnt sweat under his bridle with it on either so much more comfy, i also hack in a dressage saddle because its more comfy for me -i dont care what people think:p
 
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