Anyone else fed up with Cashel Fly Masks lack of durability?

[Iride]

I have always used Cashel fly masks on my horse because they are easy to put on, take off, are not too hot, have the forelock hole, and especially because they make a long nose version that is long enough to cover my horse’s snip which extends to the bottom of his nose (he gets very burned there by the sun, and being out all day, sunscreen can only last so long in that area. Hello grazing?)

Well, last year I think I had to buy 3 masks because the dang things start to fray or fall apart leaving holes that allow bugs to get in.

This spring we JUST started using fly masks, and my horse wore his new one and ALREADY it has started fraying along the seam where the netting meets the seam above the eye area. I am livid!!

Cashels used to last me 2-3 years, clearly the quality of the product has gone way downhill as they’ve become more popular.

I know there are other brands but I don’t know if there’s one out there with all the conveniences I like about this one. I’m so mad I have to spend more time and money (which is tight as it is) figuring this out.

Thanks for listening to me vent. I sent a letter to Cashel and I’m pretty sure I’ll get either boilerplate back, or the typical “if your horse has paddock mates chances are it’s the horses playing that did this”.

I know this isn’t the worst problem in the world but Argh

[RedHorses]

In general I’m finding fly masks don’t last as long as they used to. My older horse has a scarred eyelid and has managed to scratch his cornea on the plastic that coats the fibre mesh after that plastic has worn and cracked. I used to get at least half a year out of a mask, but now they don’t seem to last a month.

I know that my horse’s need is pretty extreme, but it has let me test lots of masks in a relatively short period of time. I switched to Shires masks a couple of years ago and the fine black mesh has held up very well. They do make a long nose (I think it’s on a zipper so it can be removed) version. There’s no forelock hole on the masks with ears that I got, but I don’t mind because my horse’s forelock gets rubbed to wisps by forelock holes. I got the fringed nose version and had to trim the fringe as it was too long and getting into my horse’s mouth.

I used to like Farnam original fly masks but the fit is weird the last few years, and the plastic coating is cracking faster.

I should mention that my QH’s blaze used to burn from his snip right up to his eye level. I found a short long nose flymask stopped that. The long nose ended just above his nostrils with a little curve down between. It seemed to cast enough shadow to protect his snip.

[stb]

@RedHorses since your horse has eye issues you may want to look at the Guardian horse mask. I have an elderly pony with issues and she recently scratched her cornea with her incessant eye rubbing. I got her a Guardian mask and it makes it impossible for her to rub her eye, so she has finally started healing. This mask has been a total game changer for her. It is expensive, but not as expensive as a vet bill. Also it is very well constructed and sturdy and is made in the USA, which I really like.

[stb]

Also, to answer the original question, I have older Cashel masks that have held up very well. I just bought a new one, so we will see how that goes. I did buy a Weatherbeeta mask to try, but find that I don’t really like the fit and apparently neither does my horse, because he keeps removing it. Shires masks seem pretty good and probably comfortable but the elastic at the jowls makes it easier for my pesky horse to pull it off of his buddy’s head.

[beowulf]

Are you getting the economy line or the Crusader? The economy line is definitely not as durable as the Crusader line.

I’ve been pretty happy with mine (Crusader), but I have noticed over the years there have been certain small tweaks to design and material, could be to make it more comfortable/ergonomic – and there is always a certain sacrifice to durability when comfort is the main value.

I love the Quiet Rides for ridden work.

The stiffer brands seem to last longer but not a fan of them personally. Horseware Rambo has one that’s seriously durable, I can’t get rid of that thing lol.

[walktrot]

The Quiet Ride masks are great for riding. They are much lighter and have very fine mesh. Far superior to riding in a fly mask.

[TequilaMockingbird]

There are so many options available now that it might be worth trying another brand.

I used Cashel many years ago but switched. It gets so hot here in the summer that the horses sweat like crazy under a fly mask so I wanted a mask that had better airflow than the Cashels.The Shire masks seem to fit that bill. It also has a lot of bulge in the mesh fabric so that I knew it there would always be a lot clearance from the skin and eyes.

The Shire mask lasted for 3 years before one of the ears started to fray. And of course it was very faded.

I just got a Weatherbeeta fly mask to replace the Shires last week.

[sophie]

I use the Cashel quiet ride mask and nose net for riding, but as a regular fly mask, after trying different brands that didn’t last or didn’t stay on the horse’s head, I bought a Rambo and I love it.
It has lot of room for eyes, you can adjust it tightly and my mare keeps it on even without a halter on, and it comes with an attachment to cover the nose if needed.
The only times my mare lost her mask in turnout, was when other people put it on and didn’t make it tight enough.

[Iride]

So many great responses and input, thank you very much!

I did not know there is an economy vs regular line of Cashel masks, but I know I’ve been buying the Crusader version.

Shires seems to have a lot of positive input! I will try one, but I’d like to see if the long nose will cover down to his snip (he has a long head)

I’ll keep Rambo in mind too based on Sophie’s experience. But I have a faint memory of trying it once and it not working but that may have been a different horse. I is old and has bad memory

TequilaMockingbird, with such a good run with Shires why did you switch to Weatherbeeta?

As for masks that have BLACK mesh, I don’t get it. Not only does black absorb heat and render hotter, but black attracts flies. So I’m a little disappointed in Shires for that reason though I still may try one.

Lastly, two days ago I wrote a letter to Cashel’s customer service email, complaining about what happened/my experience. So far no reply.

[TequilaMockingbird]

I was trying to get to a minimum total to get free shipping and I liked the color and design of the Weatherbeeta.

This is the Shire fly mask I had:
https://www.horseloverz.com/fly-insect-control/fly-masks-veils/shires-fine-mesh-fly-mask-with-ears-4

This is the Weatherbeeta I just bought: https://www.countryandstable.com/products/weatherbeeta-comfitec-durable-mesh-mask-with-ears/

I really wanted one of the LeMieux Vogue halters, which are difficult to find in the right size and color: https://www.countryandstable.com/products/lemieux-vogue-fleece-halter-and-leadrope/

[Postandrails]

@Iride

As for masks that have BLACK mesh, I don’t get it. Not only does black absorb heat and render hotter, but black attracts flies. So I’m a little disappointed in Shires for that reason though I still may try one.

I don’t use any colour other than black because I’m convinced that it’s the easiest colour to see through.

[stb]

I don’t think the black mesh causes a heat issue. I find the Shires masks to be one of the cooler masks, according to the amount of sweat I find when I take them off. I also feel like the horses see better through the fine black mesh.

[Iride]

Cashel wrote back asking for receipt and photos of the mask. We’ll see what happens.

Good to know about the black mesh.

The Weatherbeeta looks like something to try as well as the Shires. Thanks!

[RedHorses]

I too find the fine black mesh easier to see through and my horse isn’t sweating more. My horse lives out and has to keep his mask on all the time because it helps keep the dirt out of the eye with the scarred lid. That’s why I haven’t used the Guardian masks - I’m concerned about restricting his vision at night.

[Postandrails]

Just FYI - I’ve used these masks overnight on turned out horses, and have not had any issue with restricting vision. I use this brand (not a US brand) because it has very high UV protection. You can see that the mesh is quite thick. The photo is just from an ad, and is not my horse.

[Iride]

Guardian makes the eye cups in two different blocking levels! The lower level light blocker is suitable for night, my horse wore one without issue. Worth a try!

Also if you only need one cup (one eye that needs the cup), you can remove the other one! (Both are removable and interchangeable with different cups)

[Iride]

Cashel is sending me a new mask! Yay!

But what a strange response: they said the mask I bought at the END of last summer (mid Sept) and just used a few times (late March) is “no longer under warranty” but they’d replace it anyway. (What the heck is a warranty on a fly mask in the first place? And anyway how could it be no longer under it? lol)

They also admonished me not to put the mask on “too tightly” or it would put pressure on the seams and hence how mine started to come apart at the seams after 4 wearings. MMMkkkkkaaayyyyyy

(And like, anyway, try putting a fly mask on “loosely” on any horse and see how long it stays on lmao)

[Calvincrowe]

I’ve switched to Durvet Duramask fly masks. Very long wearing, has a long nose and ear versions, as well as the ‘basic’ version. My horses were constantly snagging the mesh of the Cashel masks on fences, branches, etc. and shredding them. No issues with too hot either.

[rubygirl1968]

I’m glad they’re going to replace it. Mine just started refusing to keep his cashel with ears on last year. After daily trips to the pasture to find it ground in to the pee spots, I gave up.

Unless I stapled it to his face that thing was coming off!

I had to switch to a earless mask and swat in ears.

[Iride]

Ha.
Yeah I’d love to switch to earless and Swat in ears but I board him and can’t be sure he’ll get the Swat as often as he needs it.

I ordered one of those Shires with ears and nose fringe. Something else to try in addition to having the new Cashel.