Suggestions please…for fly sensitive Arab mare.
I have a Shires Deluxe fly mask.
It has fleece padding near the horse’s ears that may work for your mare. It doesn’t rub, in my experience, so it may be worth a try.
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Professional Choice Lycra Pull on with ears. Lots of crazy colors. Super soft. Quite durable for how soft they are. Dry fast if wet. Also the only one my mare doesn’t take off. She’s a very sensitive chestnut mare.
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I have good luck with this one, too. No rubs!
Second this! They are great, I have a bunch of them. The shires ones didnt work for me personally, there is elastic on the poll so I found if my horse got it even halfway off her ears it would just slingshot the rest of the way.
My dear departed TB could only wear the Absorbine Ultrashield fly mask - everything else would give him jaw sores.
Funnily enough, this is literally the only fly mask that’s ever rubbed my horse! It rubs the bridge of his nose. I assume it’s because it fits more snugly than some others, and the edge gets sweaty and rubs when it dries. I tried brushing the dried sweat off daily but it didn’t help. I ended up putting a piece of Gorilla tape over the edge in that area which helps.
It’s also the only fly mask I’ve ever seen slide around on him. The elastic at the poll I think makes it too flexible. I think he had help from a turnout buddy though as it was only a couple times and hasn’t happened in quite a while.
It’s hideous, but I’m plugging this one from Dover:
Mine do not budge - I have them on two horses that are both out 24/7. I’m on year 2 and both still look brand new. Very occasionally I might have to pick one up when they play halter/flymask tag, but it’s seldom and definitely less frequent than regular masks.
https://www.doversaddlery.com/ri-big-eye-fly-mask/p/X1-23449/
I cut out a hole for the forelock.
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Another vote for shires deluxe.
I like the Bucas deluxe BuzzOff mask with ears. It’s well ventilated silver material, soft but sturdy. My sensitive arab cross mare usually rubs the ears off masks pretty quickly but this is our second year and it is still in great condition.
I don’t like dark coloured masks in the sun, mare gets quite sweaty under them.
It will help to know where it’s rubbing.
Is the mask too big and is sliding over skin and rubbing? Too snug?
Another vote for the Professionals Choice lycra masks - NOT the cheaper knock offs, either. They fit great, don’t rub, are cooler/lighter, and are surprisingly hardy.
Of the “traditional” fly mask types, the Kensington brand has been the best quality and fit my Arabs best with minimal rubbing. The Shires/Cashel/Absorbine type masks have always been way, way, way too big for my horses, no matter what size I tried.
I use the Pro Force( no ears) and have one horse who wears them year round 24/7 and she never has rubs.
Huh! That hasn’t happened with me, but is good to know!
I use a lycra one that has a zipper underneath. I think it’s more comfortable than a pull-on lycra mask if your horse has a longer forelock like my mare does.
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I use Rambo’s fly mask. The stiffening wire holds it away from their eyes. I have had them last over two years. With other masks, my horse seems to rub his eye at the dart and wear a hole in it and then little fiber edges poke him in the eye. Doesn’t happen with the Rambo.
I also like Shires with the fringe nose, but I like Rambos better.
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I agree with @BlueDrifter about the Rambo mask. It is literally the only mask that my gelding will keep on his head, and I have tried lots of other brands. I suspect he keeps this one on because it is comfortable and doesn’t bother him in any way.
I’ve started using the pull on lycra masks and like them better than the velcro style. (They also fit better under pony’s grazing muzzle.)
I really like the Professional’s Choice (and it’s hot pink, so no losing it in the field) and also have this one from Shire’s: https://www.chicksaddlery.com/shires-lycra-stretch-fly-mask
(And look, sale!)
But want to try this one bc of the forelock hole:
https://www.chicksaddlery.com/rugged-ride-big-eye-lycra-fly-mask-with-forelock-hole-solids
I do have the 2 right now so it’s easy to rotate between them in case one gets wet or dirty.
Oooh!! Got a link to the brand??
I just ordered two of these – I tried the lycra ones from SmartPak as I wanted one with the extended nose, but the nose part ripped off essentially the first day and the ears are too small for my guy. Plus, the ears aren’t the same fine mesh on the SmartPak so the horrible gnats are still getting in. Fingers crossed the Rugged Ride ones fit!
