Ear Bonnets

[enjoytheride]

My mare went the first 8 years of her life swishing flies off the old fashioned way and because I was concerned about her black coat fading in the sun I bought her a fly sheet.

Well, she’s not sure how she survived life with flies touching her before and she has turned into a total diva. She starts tap dancing the second I take it off in the cross ties while I race around her with fly spray. I had to stop while warming up for a lesson yesterday to get someone to tuck her forelock under her browband because she SWORE it was a fly.

Where do you buy fly bonnets? I have a couple to school in but I’d like a nice black one with a square edge for shows. Nothing expensive or floppy.

[Carolinadreamin]

Love these. http://www.funbonnets.com

Smartpak also offers some nice ones.

[shamumu14]

I got mine at Dover Saddlery. Not sure about the selection but I got this one.

http://www.doversaddlery.com/ear-%26-eye-net/p/X1-2431/?eid=X18A00U1000&utm_source=froogle&utm_medium=CSE&utm_campaign=MerchantAdv&zmam=1460880&zmas=1&zmac=114&zmap=0002431015000X1-2431&mkwid=sLDfff0Xi&crid=75877043767&mp_kw=&mp_mt=&pdv=c&gclid=CPH-8dvK1sYCFdgLgQodE5IDoA

Good Luck!

[Altair]

Also, since she’s sensitive with her forelock flopping I would be sure to get one without the tassels, but that’s just my opinion. However, she still may be sensitive with a ‘plain’ bonnet but have no fear, there is a cool trick to combat the flop.

In a recent article on COTH there was a young lady who won one of the groom’s classes at WEF and chose to present a jumper with a bonnet. That horse didn’t appreciate the flopping either, so the gal ran thin clear fishing line from the lowest point of the bonnet straight down the horses face to the nose band. It’s virtually invisible and may save you some grief if she decides she can’t stand the bonnet flopping either.

My horses wouldn’t ever wear hats, so good luck!

[Jumper_girl221]

I toss my mares forelock into either a band or a braid. She’s quite convinced her forelock is attacking her ears as well.

I did get her a fly bonnet, but there was a bit of an adjustment period to the “flopping” on her head. For shows (we mainly show the hunters) since its local and I don’t braid, I do a “french braid” band and that keeps her forelock neat and tidy, without blatantly being the only thing “contained”.

[Jumper_girl221]

Now this one…THANK GOODNESS she doesn’t care about her forelock, you’d think she was a morgan with all that hair! I don’t know what I’m going to do if/when we actually start showing…she’s a wb/tb, where did the hair come from!

[CatchMeIfUCan]

Ours don’t flap on their face, and their square ones are lovely. I make sure they are snug around their forehead to keep them from flopping. We also have a scalloped edge one with little crystals on it. It is very pretty on a mare.

Turning Point Custom Fly Bonnets

[IndyEquestrian]

We have our fly bonnets for the shop custom made, but if you PM me I would be happy to forward her info to you! She does a good job and isn’t super pricey! A black square bonnet with stretchy ears would probably be ready pretty quickly.

[ottbbabe]

I use a USG bonnet and my sensitive horse loves it.

[lindsay.anne]

I had a fully custom bonnet made by Crochet Equine Bonnets. She had a sale going on then, so my two-tone bonnet with stretch ears, square trim, and row of crystals cost me $55 shipped.

I’ve done the “fishing wire” trick (but I used clear craft bracelet making string), works great.

[gymangel812]

i have 2 from if the bonnet fits. one is custom. they both fit great and are well made. cheaper than most (especially custom) bonnets. de la cour are really nice if money is no object

[foursocks]

Creative Seahorse (she has a FB page and one on Etsy) is fabulous to deal with- she will make square edges, customize whatever you want, is not expensive, and has a lot of fun patterns.

For everyday stuff I have some USG ones that are nice, too.

[I_ride_Gibson]

[QUOTE=foursocks;8229119]
Creative Seahorse (she has a FB page and one on Etsy) is fabulous to deal with- she will make square edges, customize whatever you want, is not expensive, and has a lot of fun patterns.[/QUOTE]

Adding link to Creative Seahorse’s Etsy store. So many wonderful bonnets!!

Creative Seahorse Etsy Page

[enjoytheride]

Thanks guys! I’m looking at a few options, the range in prices is pretty amazing so I’m not sure what the difference is.

[Capall]

I just have to say my memory with a fly bonnet I got for my mare… Apparently the ears on it are massive. I put it on her and heavens to betsy she looked like a mule :lol:

[enjoytheride]

http://www.doversaddlery.com/cotton-mesh-fly-veil/p/X1-23090/

Does anyone know what the brand is on this one? That purple is exactly what I want but I don’t want to pay their shipping costs!

[Lysara]

Just wanted to add regarding pricing, it depends on how its made and from what materials.

I am a knitter and crocheter and I also make custom bonnets. I am really picky about using high quality yarn as well as the rest of the components (no matter what project I am working on).

Things to consider:

Thickness and type of yarn - many of the really high quality bonnets use 100% mercerized cotton yarn. It’s breathable as well as durable and it washes up really well!

Ear material - I really prefer using lycra for the ears as I feel it breathes better than the solid cotton and it allows for a close fitting yet comfortable stretch. It looks much better than the loose ear look with a too big ear.

How much you want to pay a local artist for their time. Depending on how long it takes to make, alot of the “cheaper” bonnets don’t really pay the artist for their time. I priced mine at $80 (which I feel is actually low…) which accounted for $20 in material costs and 6 hours of work at $10.00/hr (pretty cheap for an artist…) Which isn’t nearly as much as I make at my day job, so I tend to just sell to family and friends… well and feed my addiction for bonnets on my own horse! Gratuitous pic of my boy in a bonnet!

It’s not just bonnets, quite a few crafters battle with what the product will sell for and how much time it takes them to make it.

Hope this helps with understanding pricing.

[greywithchrome]

FUN bonnets is awesome But I am currently swooning over the EquiFit bonnets…

[MIKES_MCS]

http://www.horze.com/hoods

[SmudgesShop]

Www.etsy.com/shop/SmudgesShop
I create custom fly bonnets, any color you would like. Usually 2 color choices along with crystal beading, soft stretch fabric for the ears, and a matching colored cording to go along. Prices range from 45-55 depending what is added, also now including the option to add pearls. Check out my shop!