Fly Masks, Electric Fencing and Clever Horses!

[PurpleSpots]

Does anybody else have the problem that once a fly mask is on (especially those with ears), certain clever 4-legged people realise that their heads are now happily fully insulated from the zap of an electric fence, thus meaning they will happily push under the lowest strand of fencing?!

Similar issues with rugs are easy - problem solved by either adding electric tape loops to the rug chests, or using those Hotline electric fence rugs you can get, but fly masks...

Short of sewing electric tape onto the fly mask, has anyone got any other solutions to share or suggest please?

 

[SpeedyPony]

Earless masks? Or lowering the bottom strand of fence so that they zap their muzzles below the mask.

 

[Sprout]

My fly masks were made of quite robust material, so protected well against the electric fence! I left the mask off long enough for the pony to get a few decent zaps to re establish respect, then put a much finer mesh mask on which allowed some degree of electric shock.

 

[PurpleSpots]

Thank you both, more brains on this really helps!

The ears are one of the main reasons for the masks because of those horrid little black flies which suck blood from the insides of them. I've tried just using ear bonnets but they don't really stay on, and then their eyes aren't protected anyway. They've got the fine mesh, UV-blocking masks as I find they're the most robust.

Unfortunately, just as with rugs, they are far too clever and know exactly what it is that gives them 'fence immunity' - mask off, no immunity; mask on... Fence exploitation here we come!

It's tricky to have another (lower) line of fence so close to the ground, because when damp with dew or if it sags at all it'll ground the whole fence (unless I use hundreds of posts)...

I think it's going to be a case of laboriously sewing strips of electric tape onto their masks - but at least now I know I'm not missing any obvious easier alternatives! Thank you .