I have a horse that I use ear plugs in on windy days, when snow is sliding off the indoor roof, or when I go to new places. They seem to help a fair bit. He doesn’t really like having them put in, but let’s me do it. I was thinking a bonnet might be easier to use on a regular basis. Will it be as effective?
As horses have their own thoughts and opinions, why not try a bonnet (they’re not too costly) and see which option he says he prefers?
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I have not seen any sound-attenuating bonnets that are really all that thick, so I would guess no. I think earplugs are far more effective, but if all you need is to take the edge off, they might work.
I agree with @Willesdon, only your horse can decide this.
Do you know anyone who owns a bonnet and you can give it a try without having to buy one?
In my opinion, ear plugs block quite a bit more noise than a bonnet does.
I use both. I use the ear plugs at home and the bonnet at shows. Both work very well. I find the bonnet a lot more difficult to use and wish I could use the ear plugs at shows. Although it took hours (and hours) of working with my horse to get him to accept putting them in and taking them out.
I know the bonnet works because I was at a show and it was super hot, so I took off the bonnet as soon as I dismounted. The minute I took it off my horse went from standing quietly to becoming bright eyed and bushy tailed.
Ear plugs work better IMO, but that doesn’t mean the bonnet wouldn’t be enough for your horse. I had one when it was snow sliding time who preferred to have BOTH plugs and a noise cancelling bonnet (and he was so happy and relaxed with that).
I had the same situation as you with my current horse and for shows (we do hunters so earplugs are the only options), he liked having some noise
muffling in certain situations. But he was super ear shy when I got him, and it was a process doing ear plugs. So I just practiced at home on a daily basis. And eventually found what while he didn’t “need” them by any means most days as he’s very quiet naturally, he was a lot less distracted, and he got positive reinforcement for letting me put them in, so it became just part of the routine. So when we go somewhere stressful, it’s easy.
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Thank you. He is pretty good about the ear plugs, it’s just something he’d rather not do so I thought the bonnet might be easier on some days.
I am thinking I might try & make one, will give me something to do during the yucky weather we are supposed to have rolling in. What are the ear pieces for the sound dampening ones made out of? Anyone know?
Neoprene, from what I’ve seen
A lot of them are neoprene. Some are multi-layered with fabric and some kind of foam in the middle. Neoprene can get hot as compared to a regular bonnet.
