How do you label your fly masks?

[ElementFarm]

In the general scheme of things, this is such a first world problem. That being said…

I have about 10 horses at any given time, many of which are similar sized. Turnout blankets and sheets all have brass tags with the horse’s name on them, so any blanket can be quickly identified as belonging to which horse.

I’m looking for a similar solution for fly masks. The embroidered names are lovely, but I already have a good collection of masks, and don’t really want to buy all new ones, just to have them embroidered. Also, a few of the horses are sale prospects, or younger/growing, and I’d prefer something removable to the mask can be re-purposed for another horse.
Sharpie is free, but it looks messy, and again, not looking for something permanent.

I was thinking Velcro name tags that would attach to the closure straps? I do wonder if that would reduce the hook and loop connection to the point that the closure would be less effective though. There aren’t really any rings or attachment places for brass tags.

How does your barn label/identify fly masks?

[beowulf]

I know you said you don’t want sharpie or permanent, but that’s one of the only solutions I can find with fly masks. Plus, permanence is one of the only thief deterrents and that’s really the only reason I label things in the first place.

That’s how my barn labels them. I write their name in big black sharpie across the forehead of the mask if it’s a grey mask, and a silver sharpie if it’s a black mask. My last name goes on the velcro strap. It was especially helpful when we had four similarly built 16h solid bay TBs all in the same paddock with fly masks on… :lol:

For sale horses, I use my last name instead. That way it can easily be repurposed and everyone knows its one of mine.

I am trying to think of ways you could attach something. The only thing I could think of is ironing something on to the velcro, but I think you run the risk of melting the mask. I wouldn’t be attaching a dog tag or some such metal connection because of the risk of it scratching their face since there’s so much headshaking/scratching in the summer.

What about a cattle tag, ziptied to a hole somewhere on the strap? They can come in small sizes and I use them on the chest strap rings of my blankets.

[TB2trk]

Could you color code? Each horse is assigned a specific color - ex: horse A gets purple halter and lead, purple grain bucket, purple ribbon braided into mane or tail, purple marker used on white board to list his menu or appts with vet, etc. and purple dot on fly mask. When I travel I use this method for horses left at home. I too, have a lot of beys and it makes it easy to quickly identify correct horse, all their gear and which stall they go in.

[TB2trk]

I’m not suggesting you go out and buy all new buckets, etc. Maybe just a simple dot or piece of colored string tied on the mask that coordinates elsewhere like a white board? A number system could work as well.

[DinkyDonk]

Big ole first initial of their names with a black sharpie between the eyes on the outside of the mask…not going for glamour here, just ease of identification. Do the same with silver sharpies on turnout blankets–near side shoulder and tail flap get marked with initials–simplifies things when it’s snowing and blowing and pitch black out.

[Equkelly]

I put duck tape over the Velcro and write their name that way. Then if I want to use it for a different horse, I just take the duck tape off and write someone else’s name.

[sophie]

I board at a big barn (50+ horses) and “stuff” gets lost or borrowed frequently - except my mare’s: her name is written very clearly in in black permanent marker on TO halter, blankets/sheets and fly mask (I have a Rambo one that has some areas you can write on). Also on her lunge line, girth, inside of jumping boots, anything I can write it on.

[poltroon]

Would something like these zip tie labels work? https://www.cabletiesandmore.com/write-on-flag-zip-ties?msclkid=a4fbe01b9d10134a1565becbd42708f6

[poltroon]

I put in a link and it’s gone into approval purgatory… I am a fan of writing on the velcro. One of the questions is, is this about getting each horse the right mask for you, labeling them so someone else can put the right mask on the right horse, or is it about your masks getting mislaid? The choices can turn out a little different.

The link I put in was for zip tie labels, which you can put in a search and find some kind of nifty things that could be of use, if there’s any part of your masks that would accommodate a zip tie loop. There are also velcro loops with labels on them. There are labels you can adhere to things with velcro, so you could put the velcro strip on your mask and then velcro the label on, which would let you change them out to be by horse name.

One of the searches to look for is that there are velcro labels you can apply to dog harnesses.

[ElementFarm]

Thanks for the responses everyone!

I have my own farm, so things getting borrowed or stolen isn’t a problem. I want to have each horse have its own for the season, and that to be easily identified to my less-horsey husband, and the couple who work here.

I’d rather not do individual colors just for aesthetics. I am admittedly a bit of a hunter princess, and right now everything is matchy-matchy.

The zip tag labels look like they might work! As long as the plastic wouldn’t irritate the horse where it was attached, that could be a really good option. Thanks #poltroon!

[Ryde_XC]

Not sure how arts and crafty you are- I cross stitched my horses name on the mesh of the fly mask. Neat, tidy, cheap.

[Mouse_amp_Bay]

I buy multiples of dog tags from various online sellers. Horse’s name is embroidered front & back this can then be zip tied onto whatever needs to be identified (including the fly mask). The Rambo fly masks are even easier as they have a buckle under the chin - a tiny zip tie keeps the tag in place.

[ABookworm]

@Ryde_XC

Not sure how arts and crafty you are- I cross stitched my horses name on the mesh of the fly mask. Neat, tidy, cheap.

I also cross stitch my horses names on the mesh of the fly mask. It takes me only a few minutes and is easy to remove when switching the masks to a different horse. When I started with my large box of fly masks I just used my evening “TV time” to cross stitch while watching a movie.

For hurricanes I put a cattle tag on the fly mask with my information on it. That could also be a quick and easy option.

[WannabeDQ]

I just write their names in black sharpie on the velcro strap that goes under the head. It’s quite discreet in that location and doesn’t have to be large.