Favourite sound blocking bonnet?

[GoodTimes]

Anyone have any feedback or reviews on sound proof bonnets?

I use ear stuffies for my 11yo A/O hunter when we’re showing. He’s just more focused and relaxed when he’s in his own little world. He doesn’t need them at home in the summer, I don’t use them to school at shows either, just when we’re actually competing.
However, he can be a spooky tool when he’s in the arena by himself. I’ve had him since he was a yearling and we muddle through every winter. He doesn’t particularly like having the stuffies put in and taken out in the winter when his ears are fluffy, clipping them isn’t an option since he lives out 24/7. I find it easier to deal with spooks and occasional buck, then to fight with the stuffies every ride.

I now have a 3yo in work as well (who isn’t spooky ). Through the summer my mom would pick up rides on the 11yo if I got too busy. I’d like for her to be able to flat him for me once in awhile, but it wouldn’t be safe unless he can contain himself a bit better. I’ve never used a sound proof bonnet, so looking for recommendations. Looking for something economical and effective, it would just be for schooling.

For anyone wondering, this horse has been checked for ulcers, saddle fit, teeth are done regularly. He does it in every arena, every year. More pronounced when it’s cold and windy out. Lunging makes no difference.

[arbeegirl]

My horse is sound sensitive when works in the indoor. He will spook when the footing hits the wall or other little sounds like that. I tired ear plugs and he was great. I switched to a sound blocking bonnet since it was easier. He loves his ear muffs as I call them.

[GoodTimes]

@arbeegirl

My horse is sound sensitive when works in the indoor. He will spook when the footing hits the wall or other little sounds like that. I tired ear plugs and he was great. I switched to a sound blocking bonnet since it was easier. He loves his ear muffs as I call them.

Which bonnet do you have? Do you know what the ears are made from? ie neoprene vs dense polyester vs ??

Also, how does it fit? It seems that most of them come in a “one size fits all”. The horse in question has very small ears, which I suppose should be easier to fit than very large ears.

[arbeegirl]

I’m not sure of the brand I bought. I had a hard time finding a cob size and ended up with a horse size that I altered (the picture is before I made it shorter on his face). The ears are lined with neoprene. He has plenty of room in the ears. I will continue to search for a cob size that doesn’t break the bank though. My boy has a really small head for a OTTB.

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[Dutchmare433]

I have one from Lemieux that I really like, the ears are a good size. I also have one from Schockemohle that works fine but the ears are huge and it gets pretty hot in the summer.

[DiamondJubilee]

De La Coeur makes one. I have a few regular bonnets of theirs and they are beautiful. They are custom so I’m sure she could make any size ears for you, and of course any colour combos as well

https://www.delacoeur.ca/soundproof-smoke-rhinestones

[awaywego]

I have a Schockemole and Walderhausen (?) - both from Dover. They seem pretty much identical. I think the Walderhausen was about half the price. I don’t know if they are as good as stuffing their ears but one of my horses won’t tolerate his ears being stuffed and is super sound sensitive. (Rustling leaves and any sound from footing flicking up really set him off :() I think they help because while I still feel him flinch, his reactions seem less dramatic. Could also be a placebo effect for me

[conniemary]

@GoodTimes

Also, how does it fit? It seems that most of them come in a “one size fits all”. The horse in question has very small ears, which I suppose should be easier to fit than very large ears.

Try LeMieux, the medium size will fit large ponies/small horses.

[GoodTimes]

Thanks everyone! Another poster has a De la Coeur bonnet that I may be able to buy. Otherwise I’ll look into the LeMieux bonnets.

He can be very frustrating, but I still love him. Friday night we had a lesson and a wild storm blew through. Tornado warnings, hail, thunder, lightening, high winds, etc. Trainer was doing hand signals because we couldn’t hear him. He was dead quiet, not a single spook, but of course there were other horses in the arena with us.
Last night we rode alone so he was on high alert for the boogey man. A couple small spooks. Then of course I got on my 3yo who was a perfect angel :lol:

[dresssagediva]

ear bonnets then anna scarpati quite expensive but worth it. but im from a harness racing background where we stuff cotton in their ears, and its by far the best solution and works the best if you dont like the look you can just put on a normal ear bonnet, its also cheap as hell

[endlessclimb]

@DiamondJubilee

De La Coeur makes one. I have a few regular bonnets of theirs and they are beautiful. They are custom so I’m sure she could make any size ears for you, and of course any colour combos as well

https://www.delacoeur.ca/soundproof-smoke-rhinestones

UGGGHHHHH do you realize how much time I have spent looking for this bonnet - plain black without sound canceling ears!?!?!? https://www.delacoeur.ca/black-v-front-scalloped-bonnet

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!

[GoodTimes]

@dresssagediva

ear bonnets then anna scarpati quite expensive but worth it. but im from a harness racing background where we stuff cotton in their ears, and its by far the best solution and works the best if you dont like the look you can just put on a normal ear bonnet, its also cheap as hell

We use ear stuffies to show in the summer, but he doesn’t like them in the winter with his long hair. This is why I’m looking for a bonnet. And I figure if I’m buying one, I might as well get sound proof ears.