The best fly masks for horses are an essential tool in the fight against irritating flying insects, especially if your horse is sensitive around his head. When combined with the best fly rugs, best fly sprays or fly deterrent gels, fly masks can really reduce the chance of your horse being irritated or bitten.
Finding the right fly mask for your horse can be challenging due to the variety of styles and features available. To simplify your search, we’ve put together a selection of fly masks for horses to help you find the perfect option.
Best fly masks for horses: H&H’s quick guide
Best overall fly mask: WeatherBeeta ComFiTec Deluxe Fine Mesh
Most durable fly mask: Woof Wear UV
Best Lycra-style fly mask: Premier Equine Comfort Tech Lycra
Best fly mask for big ears: Equilibrium Field Relief Max
Best fly mask for UV protection: Absorbine UltraShield
Best no-ear fly mask: Shires Flyguard Pro Fine Mesh Earless with Nose Fringe
Best fly masks for horses
WeatherBeeta ComFiTec Deluxe Fine Mesh Fly Mask
Colours: Navy/turquoise, black/turquoise or grey/turquoise
Sizes: Mini, small pony, pony, cob, full or warmblood
Style: Velcro straps
UV protection: 60+%
H&H Rating: 9/10, H&H Approved
Reasons to buy
- Available with a variety of ear and nose combinations
- Forelock hole
Reasons to avoid
- Ears are generous in size
The fine mesh allows for full vision and protection from smaller insects, while the double darts provide a good fit. It fastens with adjustable double touch-tape tabs for ease of use, and has a soft fleece binding and hole to pull the forelock through with stretch fleece at the poll for a secure and comfortable fit.
I tested this fly mask and while it might not have as high a UV rating as others, it is a great fit and design. The mesh is really fine, which will keep even the smallest insects out, and the stretchy section over the poll is a great design feature. The fastenings are strong and have a little tab to help you undo them easily – this is a small feature but really makes a difference.
Read our full WeatherBeeta ComFiTec Fly Mask review.
Woof Wear UV Fly Mask With Ears
Colours: Black/turquoise
Sizes: XXS–XL
Style: Velcro straps
UV protection: 60%
H&H Rating: 9/10, H&H Approved
Reasons to buy
- Fine but durable mesh over eyes
- Detachable nose not too long
Reasons to avoid
- Found padding over nose didn’t always naturally sit flat
Made from soft and stretchy 3D fabric to eliminate rubbing and combined with fine UV mesh for good visibility, this mask offers an overall average of up to 60% UV protection. It also has a ‘friendly forelock’ feature that allows the mask to be worn with the forelock in or out. This mask is also available without ears and an attachable nose protector is sold separately.
I found this fly mask to be really well designed – the materials are high quality and feel like they’ll be really comfortable. It has some great features and looks like it will last really well.
Read our full Woof Wear UV fly mask review.
Premier Equine Comfort Tech Lycra Fly Mask
Colours: Green, blue, navy, red, grey or wine
Sizes: S–XL
Style: Pull-on
UV protection: 70%
H&H Rating: 9/10, H&H Approved
Reasons to buy
- Lots of colour options
- Close fit due to Lycra material
Reasons to avoid
- Mesh holes larger than most others
This fly mask has an easy and safe pull-on design. It is made from a breathable four-way stretch Lycra, which is comfortable and helps prevent insects entering the mask. The mesh is designed to stand away from the face and promote airflow.
I loved the range of colours this mask came in – but it’s a great mask, too. Easy to put on, tricky for your horse to remove, comfortable and a good fit, offering great eye clearance. Plus, it’s one of the cheapest available – so a real winner for us.
Read our full Premier Equine Lycra fly mask review.
Equilibrium Field Relief Max Fly Mask
Colours: Black or grey
Sizes: XS–XL
Style: Velcro straps
UV protection: 70+%
Reasons to buy
- Detachable nose piece
- Comes with a one-year guarantee
- Padded for added comfort
Reasons to avoid
- Higher price range but quality is worth it
This mask is designed to maximise comfort while providing effective fly and sun protection. The mask has elasticated bindings and adjustable fastenings to help find the perfect fit.
It’s made from a tough mesh to help prevent ripping, while padding on the nose and brow offer additional comfort. The ears are generous for those who need a little extra room – and the nose piece is detachable so you can find out what works best for your horse.
Absorbine UltraShield Fly Mask
Colours: Black/turquoise or navy/turquoise
Sizes: Cob, horse or warmblood
Style: Velcro strap
UV protection: 80%
Reasons to buy
- High UV protection
- Structured eye darts to keep mask away from eyes
Reasons to avoid
- Not available in smaller sizes
This fly mask is designed to stay put with two-way controlled stretch fabric around the head, extended fabric behind the ears, and a strong double-locking wide Velcro closure. The mesh has structured eye darts, while the rolled inner seams prevent rubs and irritation.
The main material is moisture wicking, breathable and resistant to stains. It also blocks 80% of UV rays across the whole mask, which is an impressive amount. If you’re looking for UV protection, we’d recommend the style with ears (you can also get a removable nose in horse size) for better coverage, but it’s also available in other various combinations.
Shires Flyguard Pro Fine Mesh Earless Fly Mask with Nose Fringe
Colours: Black or navy
Sizes: Small pony, pony, cob, full or extra-full
Style: Velcro straps
UV protection: 70+%
Reasons to buy
- Wide size range
- Fine mesh prevents small flies and midges
- Available with a variety combinations to suit your horses needs
Reasons to avoid
- If you are looking for more coverage try one of their other styles
This style of fly mask is great for horses that dislike having their ears touched or those with a large forelock. Made from fine mesh it offers protection against the smallest of flies and midges with a contoured frame over eyes. It has a fleecy poll strap, nose fringe, anti-rub binding and quick-fit secure straps. Also in other styles with ears, fringes and noses.
LeMieux Visor-Tek Half Fly Mask
Colours: Macaron, fern or fondant
Sizes: XS–XL
Style: Velcro strap
UV protection: 70%
Reasons to buy
- One wide touch tape closure
- Made from breathable mesh for improved visibility
Reasons to avoid
- Style might not be suitable
The LeMieux Fly Mask offers 70% UV protection and is made from a breathable black mesh for improved visibility with a distinctive hexagon pattern. Its eye darts ensure maximum clearance and comfort for your horse. The mask is also available with ears and nose coverage, and in LeMieux’s seasonal colours for a coordinated look.
Horseware Rambo Fly Mask
Colours: Baby blue/electric blue, silver/navy, Azure blue/navy or silver/grey
Sizes: Small pony, pony, cob or horse
Style: Velcro straps
UV protection: 65%
Reasons to buy
- Soft ear material offering generous fitting
- Breathable
- Detachable nose protection for added flexibility
Reasons to avoid
- Generous sizing so ensure you check size chart when ordering
This fly mask with an improved design offers optimum UV protection for the eyes without impairing vision thanks to the unique protective device. This is a tough, yet flexible piece, meaning if your horse rubs on a tree the fly mask will move back off the face returning to its original form. The detachable nose protection gives you the flexibility to choose what suits your horse best and also protects sun sensitive muzzles from the sun’s harmful rays. The soft fleece edging ensures a comfortable fit for your horse all day long.
Horseware advises that this fly mask is generously sized so they recommend ordering this product in a smaller size if your horse is likely to be between sizes.
WeatherBeeta ComFiTec Deluxe Stretch Fly Mask With Ears
Colours: Black, burgundy, charcoal, cobalt, navy, Burgundy bit and navy floral print
Sizes: XXS–XL
Style: Pull-on with zip
UV protection: 65%
Reasons to buy
- Better fit with improved forelock hole for more comfort
- Lightweight and flexible
- Quick fit with a zip under the jaw
Reasons to avoid
- Zip under jaw might not suit your needs
This zip-up design protects eyes and ears from flies, insects and UV rays (highest protection from the opaque fabric, lower on mesh areas). It has a raised mesh screen over each eye for unobstructed vision, improved forelock hole for added comfort and mesh ears for extra protection. The stretch fabric offers a secure fit to prevent insects from entering the mask.
Bucas Freedom Fly Mask
Colours: Navy/grape, pink or hazelnut
Sizes: XS–XL
Style: Velcro strap
Reasons to buy
- Easy to use wide touch tape closure
- Made from a fine, lightweight mesh
Reasons to avoid
- If you are looking for a mask with more structure
This fly mask is crafted from a lightweight, fine mesh fabric to help offer reliable defence against irritating flies and insects while allowing maximum airflow to keep your horse cool on hot days. Designed for comfort, it features darts along the bottom of the mask to help keep it clear of your horse’s eyes and ear coverage shields from flying insects.
Hy Equestrian Lycra Flex Fly Mask
Colours: Navy
Sizes: Pony, cob or full
Style: Pull-on
Reasons to buy
- Secure, close fit due to pull on design
- Eye darts to keep mesh away from eyes
Reasons to avoid
- Pull on style might not suit your horse
This pull-on mask is made from a breathable stretch material that gives a comfortable, custom fit to help prevent flies and bugs going under the mask. It has mesh ears and eyes to allow airflow, with eye darts to ensure good clearance and avoid irritation.
Masta Fly Mask With Ears And Nose
Colours: Grey
Sizes: Small pony, pony, cob, full or extra-full
Style: Velcro straps
UV protection: 70%, eye mesh 50+%
Reasons to buy
- Great size range
- Available with a variety of ear and nose combinations
- High UV protection
Reasons to avoid
- Only available in one colour option so if you have multiple horses they may get mixed up
Designed with soft fleece edges and a generous fit and darts over the eyes for greater clearance, this fly mask has added ear coverage. The closely woven fabric shields UV radiation and the ears are described as midge proof. Also available with ears and nose fringe, with ears or without ears with the same features.
Rhinegold Fly Mask Without Ears
Colours: Black
Sizes: Pony, cob, full or extra-full
Style: Velcro strap
Reasons to buy
- Firm structure and eye darts allows the mask to sit away from your horse’s face
- Wide touch tape closure for ease of on and off
Reasons to avoid
- Style might not be suitable
This mask has a firm structure and double darts to ensure the mesh sits away from the eyes and face. It features soft fleece binding at the edges (including around the ears), a wide touch-tape closure under the jaw and a forelock hole at the poll. Also available with ears and with ear and nose coverage. This is the cheapest fly mask on the list so it’s a great option if you’re on a budget.
How to choose the best fly masks for horses
Fly masks come in a range of designs with various different coverage combinations to suit different horses and cater for different needs. Some fly masks will have ear and nose covers as standard, while others will have either nose or ears, and some have neither and just cover the eye area. Some masks have detachable noses, and others sell nose attachments separately.
Whatever design works best for your horse, it’s important the mask fits well – to keep the insects out and ensure a comfortable fit – and is secure, especially if your horse is known to be an escape artist. Materials and designs that prevent rubbing and keep the mesh away from the eyes are best as your horse’s head is sensitive.
Do I need a fly mask with UV protection?
A fly mask can protect your horse’s sensitive eyes from the sun’s harmful rays and pesky insects. For the best defence against UV rays, choose a fly mask that also covers the ears and muzzle, and be sure to check the UV rating of the fabric. For complete protection, use a sun cream for horses, fly rug and fly boots with the fly mask to help protect your horse from UV rays and sunburn.
How do I keep flies off my horse’s face?
When turning your horse out, a fly mask is a great way to keep flies off their face. Some styles can even be used when riding, too. Remember to take the mask off at least once a day to check your horse’s face and eyes for any issues.
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You might also like:
10 of the best fly sprays we’ve put to the test and found to really work
We tested fly gels and creams for 3 months – these 5 are worth the spend
12 of the best fly rugs that offer horses extra protection from summer pests
12 of the best waterproof fly rugs – perfect for summer showers and sunshine
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