The great fly mask debate! Any recommendations?

[awelshandawarmblood]

I've spent a small fortune the last year on fly masks for my youngster & yet again, on the hunt for this year!

He's a 16.2hh WB & doesn't have a huge head BUT has big cheekbones/jowel - he's in an extra full bridle on the tightest holes but too big for your average full size if that makes any sense.

Shires stretchy ones - he always manages to twist & ends up with an eye patch & it swells
Premier equine - he dispatches quickly
Fancy full size Equilibrium one - nowhere near big enough
Harrison Howard - I love, it stays on & doesn't rub as lovely & soft, but its touching his eyes

So now I'm looking at the space mask/bee keeper Rambo & KM Elite style, does anyone use one of these? Do they stay put? How big are they size wise? And do they rub? He's thin skinned which means whatever it is, it needs to be soft They're rather pricey so want to know they're decent before taking the plunge. If all else fails I'll be trying a fly fringe on him as a last ditch attempt. I can't leave him without as he goes nuts with the flies & gets puffy eyes!

What do you all have & recommend?

 

[poiuytrewq]

I had the Rambo bee keeper. It was brilliant, never moved, never came off. The only thing to bear in mind is that you can’t put them on before turning out because you can’t fit a head collar over top. Fine for some. Not great if your horse isn’t one to hang round after being released!

 

[poiuytrewq]

Mine was full size. It was on a 16.2 ID type.

 

[poiuytrewq]

Sorry I keep coming back ?
I bought him a newer Shires aswell actually. The one with the stiffer stand away mesh. That was my favourite. I got XL and it was great. No eyelash touching, still able to fit a head collar over top. Reasonably priced too

 

[Tiddlypom]

The Rambo bee keepers are excellent, but the full size (or whichever the largest size is) was only just big enough around the jowl for my 16.1 hh IDx who is in a full size bridle.

 

[teddypops]

I use the shires fine mesh ones. The more expensive of the two they make. They work really well, stay on and stay away from the eyes.

 

[White Horse2]

Didn't like the rambo horse managed to rub it half off so rigid bit nearly caused injury. Like the shires, lots of room and sits away from the eye, also lob em in the washer, one on one off and one in the wash

 

[vam]

I've got a shires one that sticks up away from the eyes and it great. Washes up well and unless some one helps her out of it, stays put and keeps clear of her eyes.
Think it is one
https://shiresequestrian.com/deluxe-fly-mask-with-ears

 

[Kat]

I like the shires fine mesh ones, I am not sure how big the biggest size is though.

 

[Winters100]

If anyone has found an indestructible one I would love to know. One of mine must wear one because he is after removal of third eyelid, and he is the one who considers it a great game to get his pal to remove it for him. 3 torn in the last 4 days!

 

[ihatework]

I quite like the Lycra stretchy ones. Think mine are made by Roma and possibly wetherbeeta. Useful for hacking out in too as you can just put a bridle on over the top

 

[MuddyMonster]

Can I hijack this thread for a hard wearing fly mask with a forelock hole? Pony has too.much forelock to forego a hole ?

 

[Kaylum]

Lycra ones for us as well

 

[Green Bean]

I have the Shires one with the fringe to protect from flies on the lower face and am happy with it, I have a ISH and have the Full one - I would say she is an average Full size. I have been trying to find a light mesh face cover so have just received by Rambo beekeeper mask, just concerned that it looks huge (Le Mieux one bought last year, even at extra full was too small for her). My horse is very head shy and I am currently getting her accustomed again to wearing a fly mask before I try and bring this big one near her

 

[awelshandawarmblood]

Thank you everyone some great suggestions - I'll go & have a look at all the others.

Can I hijack this thread for a hard wearing fly mask with a forelock hole? Pony has too.much forelock to forego a hole ?

My cob has a premier equine one with a forelock hole & its years old - he has a bushy forelock so cant not have a hole! He doesnt get it off & really hard wearing/washes well. WB in question doesn't fit in the largest one or I'd have another!

 

[Meowy Catkin]

Can I hijack this thread for a hard wearing fly mask with a forelock hole? Pony has too.much forelock to forego a hole ?

Cashel.

You can get with ears, without ears, with nose cover or without nose cover. I think they do Donkey ear ones too.

 

[holeymoley]

Another one for Shires. It’s pretty old now and really needs replaced though. It’s the one with ears and nose net. Le Mieux has been too small. And I don’t like the softer cloth type ones.

 

[Squeak]

I'm a fan of the Rambo's. My thin skinned boy has never been rubbed by it and I actually found it quite big on both my horses that are in a full sized bridle. Have always managed to get a headcollar over it too.

I've used the shires for years but I do find that they can collapse and so push against the eyes. I find them good but the Rambo is much better IMO.

 

[milliepops]

Rambo beekeeper ones for preference here, I never have a problem getting the headcollars over but the amigo ones are a decent alternative. i find them both on the large side.

 

[LouisCat]

I've got a shires one that sticks up away from the eyes and it great. Washes up well and unless some one helps her out of it, stays put and keeps clear of her eyes.
Think it is one
https://shiresequestrian.com/deluxe-fly-mask-with-ears

I also use this one, I have it with ears and nose and it never moves. My horse is a full size bridle but the cob size is plenty big enough on him

 

[PSD]

Mine wears the premier equine one. Sorry forgot it’s name!

But it has a forelock hole, big eyes and it’s Lycra type material. Doesn’t rub and she keeps it on! She basically lives in it as she has sweet itch. Last summer she rubbed her face raw and I bought it at the back end of summer. But so far so good, think it was around £15, I know you say you’ve tried them but they are pretty good. I’ve also got a weatherbeeta one but I needed the forelock hole that the PE one has as she’s a fell and has a lot of hair.

 

[HollyWoozle]

Our Appaloosa wears either the Premier Equine Buster or the Equilibrium but sounds like neither are much help to you! Weirdly enough he has only ever gotten the PE off when my stepdad put it on tighter than he likes, which I guess caused him to rub it, but done up fairly loose it never moves and he never gets it off!

I did buy a Rambo (think it's a Vamoose?) for our loan pony recently and that has great eye clearance and seems to stay put, but not sure on the larger sizing I'm afraid.

 

[Elno]

I've heard really good stuff about Cashel, but haven't had the opportunity to try it myself since it's constantly sold out at the Swedish suppliers.

 

[Foxaunt]

My two have the LeMieux Armour Shield in XL for their donkey warmblood ears, they have been indestructible thus far but I'm not sure thwy make them anymore, at least not in the style i have. Theyre the only brand i have found to fit them in all directions across the face.

 

[Jeni the dragon]

I have an Equilibrium one without ears. Has stood up to my mare really well. And she hasn't managed to get rid of it, unlike himself with his Shires one!
Not sure about the big sizes though!

 

[irishdraft]

I have the shires mesh not the strechy one in xf for my ID it's lasted about 6 years and always fitted perfectly so will be getting him a new one this year