Somewhere along the way I came across a tip for what color fly mask mesh is easiest for a horse to see through. But I can’t remember if it was black or white and can’t find anything online. Which might also mean it’s not true, there’s no difference.
Also, are there any differences between pasture and riding fly masks other than being able to fit under or over a bridle? Any differences in visibility?
I don’t know that I’ve ever heard or read anything regarding fly mask mesh color and visibility - I do know it’s easy enough to put one on and form your own opinions :D.
My main criteria the last time I bought a fly mask was finding something that was different enough from most of the ones sold locally that I could tell at a glance that it was (is) my horse’s mask. I ended up with red and black plaid. The horse has not complained, and it hasn’t gotten lost or inadvertently swapped with another one (yet).
Horses with CSNB struggle with black/navy/other dark coloured ones, but striped ones are supposed to be most effective at deterring flies as the stripes confuse them so they won’t even land on the mask.
How about safety orange…can someone make them that color so I can find the thing in the pasture again???
Over here there is a large consensus that white is very hard on their eyes, like looking at something white on a really bright day is hard your own eyes.
Ive never been sure. I had to use white on a grey horse, as it seemed to confuse his paddock buddy into thinking there wasnt one there to pull off. He never suffered any ill effects
How timely. I just saw on my facebook feed this morning that Kensington is making one now that’s supposed to offer more UV protection for the eyes. Called the UViator. For obvious reasons, it’s black.
Differences on the Cashel riding mask vs their pasture mask:
-this softer mesh is not nearly as durable, though mine managed to get through a whole season using one of these in pasture and for some hacking. He is exceptionally easy on fly masks, though, provided he can’t reach it when it’s hanging on his stall door–in pasture he is very kind to them.
no elastic on the velcro area, so if you have one that you tighten down a lot to keep it on in the pasture but you’d still like your horse to be able to chew, using the riding mask for pasture is probably not going to work
as far as I know, only comes in black. Comes with or without ears and with or without nose. Trim fuzzy material and ears are similar to the pasture mask. Can’t speak to how the nose fits on the riding mask, as I haven’t tried one.
I had one that was! Think it was a Cashel variant where a couple dollars went to an animal rescue. My horse looked like such a nerd with it on :lol:
Eta: it was like this one. https://www.chicksaddlery.com/cashel-crusader-fly-mask-with-ears-colors
Yes! That one is very bright! When it came (ordered online) it was much brighter than expected. It’s my back-up mask but I figured, well, at least I’ll be able to see and find the dang thing!
I like that one! Awesome in early deer/turkey hunting season too.
Now off to find the nice grey one somewhere in ten acres…
Oh I like the bright orange. That would make it much easier to find in the pasture when the horse removes it.
If a human puts on a pair of sunglasses they reduce their visual acuity by a very small and probably insignificant for most folks amount. But that’s a small price to pay to reduce the glare of bright sunlight.
Likely the same for the horse.
G.
As IPEsq said above the Cashel riding mask netting is so much easier to see through. When my youngster had a facial cut near an eye she had to wear a flymask 24/7, and since I had many trees in her pasture I wanted to be sure she
had decent vision overnight. Out of many brands of masks I’ve had, the Cashel was easily the best for vision. It was
black and I still use these and they’ve lasted for years.
Common sense tells me that the thickness of the mesh has more of an impact on sight than the color. You can see the same through black and pink sunglasses, the pink ones just tint your vision, but they don’t reduce it. Thicker, coarser mesh would be harder to see through than fine mesh, IMO.
I ordered the Shire’s fly mask this year, it’s orange, fine mesh, has a nose fringe, LOVE LOVE LOVE IT. I can find it (because of the orange!) the horses can see thru it, the fringe stays clean (as opposed to the long nose fly masks always having to be washed), and they (so far!) are quite durable, even tho both mine have had theirs removed by another horse!
Best fly mask purchase ever.
https://www.horse.com/item/fine-mesh-fly-mask-with-fringe-ears/E015467/
Looking at something white in full sun is hard on your eyes. But looking at something white that’s in the shade isn’t. The horses are seeing the shaded side of the white mesh, which isn’t a problem. 
My horses live out and wear their fly masks all day/night. They have no sight issues. I expect it’s simply a thing they adjust to.
As for riding, I use a regular, fine mesh mask with ears and long nose over the bridle.
This one :
http://greenhawk.com/wdItemDesc.asp?strilhID=Web&strmdNumber=HOR5162&stricSKU=HOR5162
I also use the shires mask with the fringe. It has orange trim and is easy to find. The fringe on the nose is an added advantage. My gelding wears it 24/7 with no problems
The Greenhawk mask works for turnout plus riding? Perfect!
Yes, it does. I did find the ears a bit less than generous - they rubbed the hair off the tips of my horse’s ears when he wore it as a turnout mask. It’s very good for riding and I like the extra coverage. I tend to spray the ears and solid triangle over the nose with Off! before I put it on my horse.
He’s got a Shire’s mask with fringe for turnout now as the ears were a good bit longer.
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