fly masks - is there hope?

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starjacks

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the horse i share apparently has a huge problem with wearing masks. He feels he doesn't need them yet is clearly visible annoyed by the flys (along with very watery and itchy eyes from them). Now we have tried various types of head collars with him none stay on and a few dont survive at all. He is somehow actually breaking metal clips on them. no idea how there is one tree in the field with no low branches and no broken fences. He also does not have much of a forelock cause he scratches his head a lot (sensitive skin) is there any hope or method we could do or use to keep a fly mask on? Its a full mask with ears n nose to protect from the sun also. Thanks
 
You need to find a design which fits his head well. There are numerous reasons why horses might pull masks of - or it may be a field mate who doesn't like it and will assist with removal.

But - be very careful as you experiment. If the mask is dragged part way off the face it can scrape across the front of the eye and cause really painful damage. Using a head collar to keep the mask on actually just makes the risk worse.
 
looked them up unfortunately wouldnt be suitable need to cover ears and nose. the one we've got is a good fit. tried attaching to his fly rug he ripped the velcro. And cant be the other pony as he wears a muzzle a lot of the time. oh well guess theres no hope lol
 
Have you tried a Rambo plus fly mask? Have them for both of our horses and really like them as the fabric is kept well away from their eyes. Expensive when they get trashed though!
 
thats what we have on him and cant stable during hte day hes hard enough to keep weight on as it is. he loses it easier stabled also only 2 of them on the yard and neither tolerate being alone and think its unfair as they are meant to roam miles normally a day. I dont think the type of mask matters if hes managing to break metal clips not off the material but the metal itself then the masks will come off was wondering if there was other ideas other than a headcollar on top or maybe a more usefull head collar tried normal and safety to no avail.
 
No sure which fly masks have metal clips - most are velcro for the animal's safety.

But what about changing tack. A cattle tag plaited into the mane perhaps? Good quality fly spray and gel? (Not too close to the eyes!) Do you know what species of fly are causing the problem? Some methods work better for some types than others.

Sometimes is it better (and in this case cheaper!) to work with the horse rather than against them. If he really doesn't want a fly mask on to that extent then see if something else will work.
 
they dont the head collars do the fly mask alone will always be off the next day. and its for the sun too as hes got a white nose and round the eyes too. hes also sensitive skin and takes a reaction to alot of the fly sprays
 
Maybe he doesn't like wearing one 24/7 so try putting it on first thing and taking it off at night, I do this with mine unless it is really hot in the evening when I check them, as long as it is on for the main part of the day it should help prevent problems, as he has a tree he can get into some shade if he wants to, don't forget horses were fine before fly masks and rugs were invented a bit more managing was required.
 
I have spent a lot of time with one of mine over this and she now wears it happily. She was totally against it when I first got her, she also gets sore eyes so needed something. I did lots of things to get her oblivious to it being on her head, starting with putting it on, having a treat and and a rub, then taking it off again. Then I led her out wearing it over her bridle, took her for a walk until she would forget she was wearing it, then I would leave it on while I washed and groomed her. Then we built up to one hour in the field etc etc I used fly gel in the meantime.

When I first bought her she would lie down and rub it off on the ground as soon as she got to the field, now I put it on in the morning and its still on in the evening. She is then stabled overnight. It took a lot of patience and my time rather than buying more equipment or gadgets to keep it on her head. You might need to do the same if you want a long term solution.
 
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