my horse previous fly mask was a horse size that fit him nicely. I lost it so have been trying to buy him a new fly. I bought the amigo horse size over the phone but it’s too large. I then bought weather beta Roma fly mask which I really like the white mesh but again too loose but I fear the cob size may be too small. So what’s a fly mask that fits really well? What is your favourite fly mask? I am not concerned about it lasting a long time as I don’t mind buying a new one I just want one that’s comfortable and fits nicely.
Thanks in advance!
Cashel Crusader. The arab/small horse/cob fits my 14hh pony extremely well. They have several sizes to choose from, a sizing chart, and these masks last more than one season even with washing. Also very affordable.
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It depends on a few factors for me. How good is your horse at getting his mask off?
I like the Cashel Crusaders but they come off very easily. I find they run big – none of my 3 horses can wear a horse size, cob only.
I like the old no-Velcro earless SuperMasks. They stay on better than anything else I have tried, and I have tried a LOT!
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I have the Noble Outfitters Guardsman mask. It comes with or without ears (I prefer with), and has an extended nose piece that is detachable (my horse seems to prefer without). It’s got a stiff “canopy” to keep the mask up and off the horse’s eyes. The velcro piece is double-locking and I’ve never found it off my horse, who is now turned out in a group of geldings. I would say they run true to size - my horse wears a full-size bridle and halter, and I have the “large” size mask (which is equivalent to “horse” size on their chart).
https://www.nobleoutfitters.com/products/guardsman-fly-mask-with-ears
I like the Cashel Crusaders, but the fit is just a tad weird for my horse. She has a funny sized head anyway. But it’s lasted me a few seasons. I also have the SmartPak Classic fly mask for the pony. I got it on sale and pretty cheap. I really like the wide Velcro on it. So far it’s stayed on and hasn’t been destroyed.
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I’ve tried a lot of fly masks over the years. My horses are out (not stalled), which makes a difference. So far, the only fly masks that consistently FIT (without causing rubs) and LAST (don’t fall apart) are the Cashel and the Farnam Supermasks. Most of the others have either rubbed on the nose, under the jaw, or have pushed on the eyelashes. Or just don’t last more then a few days.
One note with Farnam - their shimmer masks suck - they last about 2 days before tearing. Go with the old style colors. They also “resized” everything a couple of years ago, so horse sized is really smaller horse size, and cob size is SMALL cob.
For field wear, the Farnam Supermasks can be worn inside-out. It makes it very difficult for playmates to grab the Velcro. Also, there is no stitched dart next to the eye.
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I personally love the Weatherbeeta Roma Stretch Bug Eye mask for my boy. He is really sensitive to flies and used to scratch his face on anything he could find to the point of rubbing all hair off in the summer. He would rub all other fly masks right off, but this one has been amazing. They do seem to run a little big, so I’d give the cob size a try. They are pretty inexpensive through Amazon and super stretchy to fit lots of different horses. Good luck!
I will say it only lasts a season for us, but at $17 I’m OK with replacing it every year.
Cashel fits my WB well. He has large ears but is not huge in the jaw area, and the WB size mask fits well. I like that they have a lot of sizes. Most of the horses at my barn wear Cashel. Ear coverage is also important here with the flies creating plaques. He is pretty easy on them and doesn’t go out where a neighbor can take it off. I have a couple though to rotate for when they get muddy. Sometimes you can get some of the colored ones on sale.
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Cashel. Only one I buy and I have so many from over the years. I have found that they always fit perfectly on any horse I’ve owned and others I’ve taken care of. I have a ton so I make sure my horse(s) always have a clean one on (worn 24/7). I’ve never had an issue with them coming off.
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I use the “quiet ride long nose no ears” as a pasture fly mask. Size down one size and fits well. They last well even when two horses share a paddock. I have never had rubs from them - unlike some others I have tried.
my mare has to have a fly mask on 24/7 from about april to october or her eyes swell shut. I am a firm believer in kensington- fit, don’t rub, last forever, lifetime warranty.
I particularly like the catch mask- I can clip the lead to it and not have to put on a halter.
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I have had good luck with the Rambo Plus flymasks. Well made, stay on and last forever. They do run a little big.
I have two Cashel masks for my horse. He’s a weird “between cob and horse” size as well. He wears horse sized bridles, but some parts are on the shortest holes and other parts are not.
He has a regular gray turnout mask with the long nose and the ears. It’s a little big for him in the cheek area–to get it snug enough to stay on, I just cut the velcro shorter so it’s an easy fix. It fits well and has darts to keep the mask away from their eyes. I’ve heard the ones without ears stay on better, but I’ve never used one so I can’t say for sure.
His quiet ride mask (not for turnout, it’s a mask specifically for riding) is also horse size but I haven’t had to trim it. It fits him a little better.
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Thank you all for the replies! I wanted to get a fly mask with ears although the bugs aren’t too bad here at this time. I would like to try the cashel if it fits otherwise I will get a supermask which I know fits him.I am indecisive on whether to buy him a fly sheet. As the flies are not too bad here so I am just fly spraying him twice a day so far. Still he gets the odd bite.
Look at the shires masks with fringe that keeps flies off the nose. I’ve had great luck with them
I also like the stretchy lycra masks. They are holding up a lot better than I expected, although they get washed every wear–which is doable because they dry so quickly. I do think the actual ear area runs a little small, but the whole thing is so soft and stretchy it doesn’t seem to be a problem. I switched after he had a small corneal ulcer and I got paranoid about anything stiff around his eyes.
I have a WB who is somewhat refined with an almost dishy face. He has worn a horse sized Supermask for many years and it fits him great. He’s out 24/7 and has his own pasture but shares the fence line with other horses. It has never come off. This year, I purchased a Cashel mask with ear protection because it has great UV protection and we have lots of flies and gnats that like ears. I tried it on today, it seems to fit well.
I like the Cashel masks, but after my one horse ulcerated his eye last year which is something I care not to repeat and it could well have been from rubbing his flymask on his eye (it’s removed nightly and washed frequently) I have switched to the Rambo Plus masks and really like them. I also like the Noble Guardsman masks but I prefer the softer edging on the Rambo for my sensitive one.
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