How about fringe?
https://www.smartpakequine.com/pt/shires-deluxe-fly-mask-with-nose-fringe-25684
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@OzarksRider that’s still too long, she’ll blow her booger snots right into that.
@Simkie that’s an idea! I don’t know how she will take it, as she doesn’t like when my “modified” fly mask gets too frilly and touches her, but it’s certainly worth a try. I wonder how it will be for UV blockage?
I have a question somewhat related - have any of you found fly leggings that don’t make the horse move differently? I’ve noticed with all of my horses that their articulate their legs just a little different with the boots on, and I’ve tried multiple different brands. Maybe it is just a me issue? But I don’t love the idea of them moving differently 24/7 because of the things on their legs.
I’ve tried SF, Magyk Equippe, Dover brand, ARMA, and Rambo so far. My Rambo and ARMA are on their third (!) year on 24/7.
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It seems to do pretty well on the UV front for my white nosed horses. I do have one who really likes to rub his nose on me when I put it on–he thinks it feels odd or something–but that doesn’t translate to being weird about it in turnout, so … shrug. Out he goes!
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I own about six sets of ShooFly leggings, and I have had them repaired. The issue with them is the really the narrow velcro comes loose, over time, and that it just doesn’t hold well enough.
I recently purchased some CareMaster leggings on Amazon. So far, they are a big win. The material is softer, while still appearing durable, and the velcro straps run parallel to the ground. They are generous and stay shut. Thus far, only one of the horses has removed them, and he can take anything off.
The come in great colors (yeah, big deal) and are only $26.95.
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The key to the horse not giving af about fly boots is to have had enough occasions over their lifetime to have had them in standing wraps 24/7 for weeks/months on end. My personal little standing wraps addict took exactly one silly walk step in hers and was completely over them. “Oh, just a different kind of nonsense on my legs. Wonder what I did to myself this time?” 
"Do I get to see my favourite vet? What? No? Oh, you just wait, I feel an illness coming on … " 
Please note, I do NOT actually recommend this approach. It is far too costly in both money and grey hairs.
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I have some Shires masks with fringes, and I quite like them. My youngster tried to see if he could play with them a bit the first time I put it on him, but after that he hasn’t seemed to mind them. My last horse wore this style too. They’re well made, but the purple one that Simkie linked to didn’t work for my horse because the eye darts are high and short. I have a turquoise one that fits better and I noticed that the eye darts are different.
Not sure how it does for UV protection, but it’s still better than none.
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My gelding has been surprisingly good. The only thing I can think of is the fact that he has a grazing muzzle on from 2:30pm to 7am now. When that is off all he does is stuff his face with grass.
I tried in vain to use fly veils this year. He promptly ripped my oldest mares hanging strings right off . Each morning it was worse until just a few remained.
Update on CareMaster boot- these things are really, really good. They stay on, and they do not “gap” as I have found the Shoo Fly leggings to do. I now have five horses in them, and they are holding up.
The little monster who takes off boots is still working at it, but he is only managing to get front boots off. He isn’t damaging them. I just put them back on, and I ignore his little fits.
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I am really liking the HH boots, they work really well for the one mare with finer boned legs in the small pasture. They are lighter weight and not so bulky and I think she likes that. She is not one to take boots off (except for one hind leg which she will not wear a boot on). So she isn’t matchy/matchy with 3 legs booted up. I got the mediums in orange so I could tell the difference in size. The other mare - well she leaves a trail of fly boots all over the pasture. So I throw on her whatever is on the top of the pile. She is not going to match, I just want a boot that she won’t rip off. So far all of my purchases are in good shape. When the boots get pulled off they are not getting torn up. I just hope I can find all the errant boots before the guy comes to mow my pasture and shreds them.
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I bought the HH boots this year and I really like them too. The biggest thing is to buy a size smaller than you think you need. I bought mediums which were too big (I could make them work) but the small really fit my fine boned petite thoroughbred perfectly. My mini also has a pair and those are absolutely perfect on him.
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Update on the fringe - not enough UV protection. Little Ms. Sunburn will be back in a long nose mask with booger hosing. I bought two long nose though, I’m going to try doing surgery on one again and see if it will hold (shortening the nose and removing the bit that gets boogers).
I got lazy last year and didn’t get the fly boots. Her flint hard little hooves were so chipped all summer. And she had an old kick injury that swelled quite a bit from all the stomping.
As of today she (white) is sporting a set of bright orange Shoo-fly leggings. I have an orange mesh fly sheet that she will sport when it cools down a bit (below 95). Luckily I can get away with that color on her. She will be so spiffy 
.
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My naughty gelding is now removing at least 1 legging per day. Usually the front and I wonder if he has an itch or something. Just glad I have extras so I can search for the " wayward " legging when I feel like it…
I admit defeat in keeping fly leggings on my gelding. What he doesn’t fling off with rolling he forcibly rips off and destroys almost immediately 
So I bought expensive fly spray, something in a black bottle that kills /repels 70 kinds of insects and that is working very, very well. I got so tired of trying to find destroyed boots in acres pasture…
On a happy note the 2 older mares are doing beautifully and never lose a boot. I guess some just don’t like wearing them.
One of my mares is like this with her fly masks. She hates them with a passion and will willingly scrape her face against a wooden fence in an attempt to remove them.
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I’ve been satisfied with the shoofly leggins thus far. I’m actually impressed that my gelding hasn’t messed with them and has kept them on!
I am really liking the HH leggings. I don’t think they will last as long as the heavier types but they don’t rub like the heavier boots and the horses don’t seem to remove them. Plus they dry faster. I had the Warrior boots on the special snowflake who is out in tall grass ( can’t get my pasture mower here) and it rained. The Warrior boot rubbed a sore on her coronet band. And if you know this horse - one small hair missing and it escalates to a huge sore unless bandaged all summer. Daily. She seems to prefer the lighter boot. So far it has not torn up but I don’t think it will last as long as the Shoo Fly’s but that is fine. A replacement won’t cost that much .And she will leave it on.
My mare is doing well in last year’s Stomp Stoppers. She was in fronts only until this week when the flies got bad and she’s been stomping a lot on a compromised LH hoof. Unfortunately she tends to get rubs from the hind boots, so we’ll see how long this lasts.
I think the Shoo Flys are easier to put on, but am happy with how the Stomp Stoppers are holding up.
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Lol, so which is she, the barn’s walking Traffic Cone, or the traveling Candy Corn? 
Shortly after I bragged about my Rambo and ARMA they both disintegrated ( 
) So I’m back to the Majyk Equippe. Mine are on their third season on 24/7. I don’t even take them off when it rains because the bugs are worse immediately after, so they’ve been really abused. I think they’re a sturdy alternate to Shoo Fly and the velcro is strong.
Also plugging the Clac Deo-Gel for anti-fly ointment. Works for a full 24hs but makes them look raggedy.
