Fly Masks & Fringes

Which fly masks are available?

Fly masks protect the horse's eyes, nostrils and ears from annoying flies and black flies. Depending on the type, fly masks protect the horse's head to a greater or lesser extent. A distinction is made between fly masks:

• with ear parts
• without ear parts
• with (removable) nostril protection
• with nostril fringes
• to pull on (without Velcros)
• with integrated UV protection

What size should the fly mask be?

Fly masks are mostly available in one-size-fits-all from XXS to XL or from Shetland pony to heavy horse or pony, cob, full, depending on the manufacturer. To a certain extent, fly masks can be individually adjusted to the horse's head size, for which Velcro fasteners are advantageous. Fly masks to be pulled on or with a zip under the lower jaw must fit exactly in order to fulfil their purpose. You can find out which size is suitable for which size of horse in the size charts provided with each fly mask. Since the specifications can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer or from style to style, there is no uniform size specification. If you are not sure which size of fly mask is right for your horse, you can order several sizes and benefit from our 30-day return policy in the event that you return a clean and undamaged product.

Is there a fly mask that does not chafe?

The horse's head has little padding and the skin is thin. Therefore, if a fly mask does not fit or is made of hard materials, chafing and open wounds can quickly occur.
At Kramer Equestrian you can buy fly masks with a teddy fleece lining in the forehead area to avoid chafing. When buying a fly mask, make sure that the edges are lined with fleece so that no sharp seams press against the skin. This is especially important if you have to fasten the mask tightly to prevent flies from crawling under the mask. Alternatively, there are also fly masks with flexible elastic over the bridge of the nose, which optimally adapt to its shape.
Another criterion for ensuring that the fly mask does not chafe is its weight. Make sure that the mask is not too heavy. If the horse shakes, a heavy mask can sway back and forth and cause friction. In addition, a heavy mask will be shaken off the horse's head more quickly than a light one. Last but not least, make sure there is enough eye clearance. The net fabric must not press on the eye area. That is why at Kramer Equestrian you will only find fly masks with a spacer seam in the face area, which prevents irritation of the eyes.

Can the fly mask be attached under the bridle without any problems?

If you want to use a fly protection for the horse's face when hacking, you should make sure that it is well fastened, does not rub and does not affect the position of the bridle. Many fly masks are designed to be worn permanently, which is why they have thick fleece padding in the forehead and neck area and are therefore unsuitable for wearing under a bridle. If you want to use a fly mask for riding, you should rather fasten it over the bridle and choose a thin mask. Alternatively, you can attach fly fringes to the bridle for hacking. These can be combined with fly veils. They not only look smart, but also serve the purpose of shielding the ears from black flies and thus preventing the horse from permanently shaking its head.

Which fly mask has UV protection?

Some fly mask designs have integrated UV protection. This is of particular benefit to horses that get sunburnt quickly, for example horses with a blaze. Even fly masks without UV protection offer a certain amount of sun protection, as the material can absorb the sun's rays. However, if your horse is more sensitive to the sun's rays, it is best to switch to a fly mask with UV protection. These are available with UV protection from 60%. In our online shop you can also buy fly masks with UV 70+. The protection factor depends on the density and type of fabric. Fly masks from Felix Bühler with UV protection comply with the standard BS EN 13758-1:2002 + A1:2006: Textiles Protective properties against ultraviolet solar radiation.

How can the horse's eyes be protected from UV rays?

To protect your horse's eyes from dangerous UV radiation, it helps to wear fly masks. Even a simple fly mask with fly protection netting over the eyes is useful, as fabrics can in themselves intercept some of the radiation. But if you want to be on the safe side, we recommend fly masks with UV protection with at least a protection factor of 60. In our online shop you can buy fly masks with UV protection from Felix Bühler, THERMO MASTER, HORSEWARE and Bucas.

Which fly mask offers my horse a lot of eye clearance?

Eye clearance is essential with fly masks, as otherwise irritation of the eyes and, in the worst case, conjunctivitis can occur. To prevent the mesh from pressing on the eyes, a spacer seam is integrated to create a safe distance. When caring for the mask, make sure that you put it back into shape and that the eye clearance remains even after washing. For extra distance between the eyes and the fly net, you can find designs inspired by beekeepers' protective gear in our online shop. They have an integrated ring over the forehead that keeps the fly net in a stable arc away from the eyes. Even when rolling, the distance is maintained.
You can also buy fly masks from STONEDEEK or Felix Bühler to pull on, whose mesh material is stiff and keeps its shape to create a generous eye area.