[SilverMaple]

My Paso Fino gelding needs a fly mask, but he won't keep one on. He seems to rub it off or catch it on something and rip it constantly. He's going through about one a week, and at $18 each, that's getting old, but the alternative is goopy, gunky eyes from flies or whatever plant he keeps rubbing up on in his pasture that irritates his eyes, which he then rubs until they're swollen shut.... The fly mask solves that, but they won't work if he can't keep them on. I put a new one on him a few days ago, and this morning it's ripped and hanging off again. He's brought in at least once a day and the mask is removed while he's groomed and fed, then put back on before he's turned out again, so the mask is not causing him skin irritation.

He's out on 20 acres with two other horses. I can't change his pasture situation.

Anyone have a suggestion for one that will stay on? I'm at my wit's end.

 

[BlindHorseEnthusiast4582]

Are you trying different types of fly masks? Maybe he doesn't like the style, material, etc.? That's how Cherokee is. A stiff mesh one he'll pull off in a minute but a softer material that is well-fitting he'll keep on for a good while. Also do you have a couple you can change out and clean regularly? That could help too. It's worth a shot if nothing else.

 

[egrogan]

It's an expensive initial investment, but the Guardian mask has proved secure for my mare who constantly rubbed off Cashel Crusaders. I have found it lives up to the promises of really improving eye issues. There are 4 other horses at my barn who have them too for various eye-related reasons.

Unfortunately no ears though, which seems so silly to me at this price, but you can sew a bonnet in pretty easily if ears are needed.

 

[SilverMaple]

He doesn't need ears.

We've tried Farnam and Cashel as that's what the local store has. I'll look into the Guardian. Has anyone tried the Professionals Choice Breakaway one? I'm wondering if that would at least keep it from being ripped if he rubbed it off as the regular kind seem to break anywhere but the velcro. If he pulled it off and it was salvageable, that I could deal with.... His eyes are fine, it's just that bugs and pollen seem to bother him and get him started itching, and you know how that goes-- the more he itches, the worse it gets. If the mask stays on when he's turned out, he's just fine.

He doesn't seem to mind wearing it, and when I watch him, he's fine. But he's ripping them off somehow every few days. The mosquitoes and gnats are vicious and seem to love him, and no amount of fly spray keeps them off of him even if he's stalled indoors, so he rubs on the trees and posts periodically, and I'm pretty sure that's how he's losing his mask. I can't wait for it to freeze. The bugs have been just awful this year, poor guy.

 

[BlindHorseEnthusiast4582]

@egrogan some horses prefer no ears too. Cherokee seems to because you put a mask on him with ears and he "looks" at you like you've lost your mind lol

 

[horselovinguy]

I am not a lover of horses wearing halters in turnout but....
Have you tried putting on the flymask then the halter over the top to secure it in place?
If, if I have to use a halter in turnout I only use a leather halter properly fitted so least chance of snag and caught...
:runninghorse2:....

 

[SilverMaple]

I am not a lover of horses wearing halters in turnout but....
Have you tried putting on the flymask then the halter over the top to secure it in place?
If, if I have to use a halter in turnout I only use a leather halter properly fitted so least chance of snag and caught...
:runninghorse2:....

I'm not willing to halter him for turnout. There are just too many trees he could hang it up on. :-( He ripped the snot out of his latest mask last night, and he was by himself in a round pen, so there wasn't even anything there to catch it on, so he must have done it on his own hoof. *sigh*

 

[SketchyHorse]

The BO buys extra fly masks for the horses, since some owners never bring them out to begin with or don't replace them. She's surprisingly had great luck with these Roma fly masks. We aren't sure what it is about them, but the horses that usually come in "naked" don't lose these as much. Not too bad since she basically bought them to "throw away" with these guys since they always trash them or lose them. Plus they're cheap from like.... everywhere.

Mine have always done well with Cashel. Some horses really like the ear-less Farnam ones. It sounds like you've tried both though with less than awesome results. They're both crazy expensive to be replacing constantly. No experience with the professional choice break-away, one of the ladies bought a regular style (looked kinda like the Cashel) & didn't notice much difference. Another lady has a nice one that the strap goes through a metal bar so you can adjust the tightness - helps keep it on her hard to fit mare who slips them if they're too lose. No idea on brand though :/

 

[carshon]

We have a mare that will rub her mask off if it DOES NOT have ears - as the gnats that get in her ears drive her nuts and she body slams the barn or trees to get them out of her ears. We have been using a Kensington mask and it has lasted this summer. That being said my horses do not wear masks after dark.

 

[COWCHICK77]

I have a horse who requires a fly mask but he and his pasture mates are tough on them.
The Farnam Super masks won't make it 12 hours. The SmartPak brand 2 days before it was destroyed. Cashel lasted a few weeks. So far Kensington masks have lasted the longest. I also received an Absorbine mask when I ordered fly spray this year. It's held up really well but the material stretched and he can get it rubbed off fairly easily. Went back to the Kensington.
Noble Outfitters has been suggested to me for horses hard on fly masks. I haven't tried one yet honestly but will order one when the fly stuff goes on sale before too long.