Fly Masks - that don't go in their eyes!

starryeyed

starryeyed

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With the summer approaching (......!!!:D), I want to buy my mare a fly mask for when the flies hit - they drive her absolutely mad and we do tend to get them quite badly around here. I've bought a few in the past but have found that a lot of them wrap around the face and then sit directly on top of the eyes which obviously isn't ideal as it must be so irritating and can't be overly pleasant for them!

Can anyone recommend a fly mask that is shaped so that it won't touch the eye, but also doesn't cover the very end of the nose up? (she hates this!)

Has anyone tried the Equilibrium field relief masks? I've seen the Rambo shaped ones online which would definitely stay well away from the eyes - but haven't seen them in real life, how durable are they? I think I'd be a bit worried about the plastic snapping while she was wearing it, she's quite destructive/accident prone!

Many thanks in advance for any suggestions/recommendations x
 
I know exactly what you're talking about - I really don't get the fuss about 'fine mesh' fly masks as they always end up getting caught on my My mares eyelashes and almost giving her an infection. I have tried several and found a rigid one that has thicker mesh, but this means it doesn't collapse in to her face - sadly it is an unbranded one that I found in a sale bin in the tackshop for a tenner so I can't tell you the brand but I looked at the equilibrium ones and I have the feeing that even they could collapse inwards - I think the Rambo ones may be the only ones that don't but I haven't tried them on. The Roma one was hopeless, it pulled where
 
Argh, phone! ...It shouldn't, and made her really uncomfy. I had another one that looked similar to the one posted above, it was OK but if it got bent the same thing would happen. I guess many people don't have any problems with them, hence why most are 'fine mesh' but they are the worst for us, especially with long araby eyelashes!
 
I use the equilibrium ones. They are really good and hold their shape well. They also have a foam bit under the nose part which helps to prevent rubbing or flies getting underneath the mask.
 
I have/had an equilibrium one and loved it - it has by far been the best out the ones I've tried. I unfortunatley now need to replace as mare decided to rip beyond repair :mad:
The other one she has is an amigo and it's lasted really well, seems comfy and stays away from her face
 
I have a rambo one, my mare looks like a bee keeper in it but it is brilliant. very tough. I had one of the old style rambo masks which lasted about 4 years. Fully expect the new one to last the same.
 
Equilibrium or Cashel. I've found that the Rambo ones are good when on, but the velcro doesn't last and/or they come off more easily.
 
I use the Rambo "beekeeper" ones for mine. They are fantastic, keeps the mask well away from their eyes. It does have the full nose but you can Velcro it off. Ive Never had any trouble with it coming off?
 
Nor me, I couldn't keep the equilibrium ones on my mare :p
I do use an equilibrium riding mask but thats tied into her bridle so she can't remove it!
 
Mine are both in equilibrium ones too - in fact this will be their third summer so long lasting!
Doesn't touch the eyes and you can buy the midi ones rather than the maxi which won't come down to their noses!
 
I've had my Premier Equine mask for 5 years now. It is stiff mesh and sits away from her eyes, she rarely gets it off unless she has help.
 
The Roma Buzz Away's another good one, sitting at budget end of the spectrum.

Sham's got a sensitive eye so she's had to wear a mask all through winter, and this has worn really well, and she's only lost it a couple of times - hint: sewing or sticking a scrap of hi-viz fabric on it saves a lot of walking in fields!

She's got the beekeeper style one as well, but it doesn't have UV protection.
 
I have a GeeTac one which has thicker mesh so sits well away from the eyes. Bought it off eBay for about 13 quid and has been washed several times and still looks good.
 
Rambo made out of the stiff mesh. All 5 of them currently whizzing around my washing machine. Have to wash horse gear when he, who must be obeyed, is not looking, hates horse hair in his pants.
 
I checked mine out before, I couldn't remember the make. Its a Farnam one from the US - as I said I got it in a sale bin at the tackshop but I really rate it, looks like they come I all sorts of colours too on googling, but mine is plain silver with black fleece edging.
 
Living in Africa, fly masks really are essential. I buy the fairly stiff mess ones, which seem to be shaped quite differently; the darts for the eyes come up from the nose - I suppose much like bust darts for ladies' dresses back in the day. This seems to give them a rigidity that keeps them off the eyes.

I also sew a strip of sheepskin around the nose section. This prevents flies and midges from sneaking in any gaps, and also makes the mask more comfortable for the horse. It's frankly a pain to cut and sew sheepskin on, but I've got it down to a bit of an art and can do them quite quickly now.

Riding friends think I'm quite mad (possibly correctly!) but I can think of nothing more irritating for the horse than a fly or midge getting trapped inside the fly mask. I also believe it's just another little step I can take to help keep th AHS midges at bay.
 
Countrychic said:
I use the Rambo "beekeeper" ones for mine. They are fantastic, keeps the mask well away from their eyes. It does have the full nose but you can Velcro it off. Ive Never had any trouble with it coming off?
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This is the one that I have just bought for one of mine, I find its great. I usually buy the amigo ones which keep away from the eyes too.
 
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