Fly Veils/Ear bonnets - good when out hacking?

[Scot123]

Would like your thoughts really!

My pony can be spooky out hacking which we're working on, but particularly with unexpected noises - eg big rattly trailers going past, cars making a loud splash if it's wet, wind wooshing though the trees etc etc. So I was wondering if muffling the sounds by using an ear bonnet would be a good idea? The two negatives I can think of are 1) is it just pushing the problem aside instead of addressing it and 2) if noises are dampened, is pony going to get an even bigger fright if doesn't hear a vehicle until it's at the point of passing us?

Anybody had experience, good or bad, with using them hacking? Thank you!

 

[Mrs G]

I’ve been hacking out recently with my horse wearing his fly veil. Primarily to stop any flies annoying him when we need to be concentrating on where we are/what we are doing but he has also reacted far less to much bigger, noisier traffic than we are used to so maybe it has helped with that too?

 

[Littlebear]

I used to used them and i thought they were excellent, definitely took the edge off x

 

[IcarusGirl]

Would like your thoughts really!

My pony can be spooky out hacking which we're working on, but particularly with unexpected noises - eg big rattly trailers going past, cars making a loud splash if it's wet, wind wooshing though the trees etc etc. So I was wondering if muffling the sounds by using an ear bonnet would be a good idea? The two negatives I can think of are 1) is it just pushing the problem aside instead of addressing it and 2) if noises are dampened, is pony going to get an even bigger fright if doesn't hear a vehicle until it's at the point of passing us?

Anybody had experience, good or bad, with using them hacking? Thank you!

One of my friends had great success using noise cancelling ear bonnet. The horse felt less anxious in a spooky situation (road traffic), and so in time learned that cars aren't as scary as they thought.

Especially useful if they horse is nervous of a particular trigger - for example my friend's horse was worried about traffic coming from behind and was on high alert.

 

[doodle]

Just be aware they can easily come off with the bridle too. Soli had perfected a couple of head shakes and off came the bridle with the ears.

 

[cindars]

Use a fly mask got a new one which is hi viz

 

[scats]

Just be aware they can easily come off with the bridle too. Soli had perfected a couple of head shakes and off came the bridle with the ears.

Yep, Polly does not get on with the le mieux ones. The whole lot comes off in a shake! Veil and bridle!

 

[Scot123]

Thanks all. So you think normal fly veils might be best - I definitely don't fancy the bridle coming off unexpectedly!! So you haven't found your horses are surprised by vehicles coming up behind them (since they can't hear them coming so well) ?

 

[Summit]

I honestly can’t see how they suppress noise as they are just thin pieces of material?
I think it’s a placebo effect for the rider

 

[[59668]]

I honestly can’t see how they suppress noise as they are just thin pieces of material?
I think it’s a placebo effect for the rider

The acoustic ears arent just a thin bit of material. They have sound deadening material in them. Like a thick foam.

 

[fiwen30]

Our riding school ponies back in the day also perfected the head-shake to get their bridles off! We got such a trouncing whenever it happened, because it showed you hadn’t remembered/couldn’t be bothered to braid the bridle into the forelock when you were tacking up.

 

[Scot123]

Our riding school ponies back in the day also perfected the head-shake to get their bridles off! We got such a trouncing whenever it happened, because it showed you hadn’t remembered/couldn’t be bothered to braid the bridle into the forelock when you were tacking up.

Made me smile as I remember the very same!!

 

[rara007]

I use thick neoprene ears when I think we’re in for a lively (noise sensitive) ride and they make a big difference. The ‘normal’ ears can help holding ear plugs in too. I’m all for an easy life...! (Sharp 12yo gelding that other than the noise sensitivity is wonderful!). We even use the thicker ears in driving warm ups to muffle the other carriages sounds and other than me having to speak up they do the job reliably.

 

[AFB]

I use normal fly veils as we get very dramatic about flies and haven't noticed a difference - I'd be interested in the acoustic ears if I had a more reactive horse

 

[Pippity]

Just be aware they can easily come off with the bridle too. Soli had perfected a couple of head shakes and off came the bridle with the ears.

Mine will leave them on while we're hacking, but as soon as we're through the farm gate coming home, she gives a good shake and takes off the ears! The bridle's never shifted, though.

 

[Scot123]

Thanks all. Well, presuming I can get it - plus bridle - to stay on, then I think I'll give it a go

 

[Summit]

The acoustic ears arent just a thin bit of material. They have sound deadening material in them. Like a thick foam.

OP was referring to ear bonnets and not specific acoustic ones. Regular ear bonnets would make no difference to noise

 

[Scot123]

On that note - I've been searching, but couldn't see anything, does anybody know if there are any acoustic ear bonnets that come in hi-vis? If I'm getting a new bit of hacking out kit then hi-vis is always my preferred option!

 

[Annagain]

My friend uses a noise cancelling bonnet on her horse as he is very sensitive to noise and really rates them, she won't hack out without them. I know she was looking for a hi-viz one but they seem to be either hi-viz or noise cancelling, not both.

 

[Scot123]

My friend uses a noise cancelling bonnet on her horse as he is very sensitive to noise and really rates them, she won't hack out without them. I know she was looking for a hi-viz one but they seem to be either hi-viz or noise cancelling, not both.

Yup that's what I've found. If your friend does manage to find one then I'd be really grateful to hear about it. Think there's a gap in the market there!

 

[[59668]]

On that note - I've been searching, but couldn't see anything, does anybody know if there are any acoustic ear bonnets that come in hi-vis? If I'm getting a new bit of hacking out kit then hi-vis is always my preferred option!

I just put them on underneath my hi viz ears.