The best fly masks are an essential tool in the fight against irritating flying insects. When combined with the best fly rugs, best fly sprays or fly deterrent gels, they can really reduce the chance of your horse being irritated or bitten.
Not only do fly masks keep the flies off your horse’s eyes, preventing irritation, but they can also help to block UV rays and, when combined with a good sun cream for horses, can go a long way to protecting your horse from sunburn.
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 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.
Best fly masks: H&H’s quick guide
Best overall fly mask: WeatherBeeta ComFiTec Deluxe Fine Mesh
Best Lycra-style fly mask: Premier Equine Comfort Tech Lycra
Most durable fly mask: Woof Wear UV
Best fly mask for UV protection: Absorbine UltraShield
Best for big ears: Equilibrium Field Relief Max
Best for no ear coverage: Rhinegold Without Ears
Best fly masks for all head shapes
WeatherBeeta ComFiTec Deluxe Fine Mesh Fly Mask
Colours: Navy/turquoise or black/turquoise
Sizes: Mini, small pony, pony, cob, full or warmblood
UV protection: 60+%
H&H Rating: 9/10, H&H Approved
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.
Premier Equine Comfort Tech Lycra Fly Mask
Colours: Green, blue, navy, red, grey or wine
Sizes: S–XL
UV protection: 70%
H&H Rating: 9/10, H&H Approved
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.
Woof Wear UV Fly Mask With Ears
Colours: Black/turquoise
Sizes: XXS–XL
UV protection: 60%
H&H Rating: 9/10, H&H Approved
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.
WeatherBeeta Deluxe Stretch Bug Eye Saver With Ears
Colours: Seahorse print, grey, red, royal blue, turquoise, green, navy, black or purple
Sizes: Mini, small pony, pony, cob, full or warmblood
UV protection: 98+%
H&H Rating: 8/10
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, 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.
I thought this was a great fly mask – it fitted well, was comfortable and did the job. If you’re looking for a Lycra-style mask that you don’t need to put on like a hood over the head, this is the one you want.
Read our full WeatherBeeta Deluxe Stretch Bug Eye Saver review.
Hy Equestrian Mesh Half Mask With Ears And Fringe
Colours: Black/green or black/red
Sizes: Small pony, pony, cob, full or extra-full
H&H Rating: 8/10
This mask features a fly fringe on the nose that will move as horse does to deter flies from the muzzle. It has a fleece-lined brow area to prevent rubbing, eye darts to ensure clearance from the face and eyes, breathable mesh ears and easy-to-fasten touch-tape fastenings.
I found this mask to fit a finer head best, and I really liked the nose fringe as it’s a great way to keep flies off if the nose cover might be too long for your horse.
Read our full Hy Mesh Half Mask review.
Saxon Mesh Mask
Colours: White/navy
Sizes: Mini, small pony, pony, cob or full
This fine mesh mask has ear covers and a wide adjustable touch-tape closure under the jaw for a secure fit. This is the cheapest fly mask on the list so it’s a great option if you’re on a budget.
Equilibrium Field Relief Max Fly Mask
Colours: Black or grey
Sizes: S–XL
UV protection: 70+%
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
UV protection: 80%
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 removable nose in horse size) for better coverage, but it’s also available in other various combinations.
Rhinegold Fly Mask Without Ears
Colours: Black
Sizes: Pony, cob, full or extra-full
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.
Shires Flyguard Pro Fine Mesh Fly Mask With Ears
Colours: Black or teal
Sizes: Extra-small pony, small pony, pony, cob, full or extra-full
UV protection: 70%
This fine mesh fly mask offers protection against the smallest of flies and midges with a 3D contour frame over eyes. It has anti-rub binding and quick-fit secure straps. Also available with a nose.
Hy Equestrian Lycra Flex Fly Mask
Colours: Navy
Sizes: Pony, cob or full
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
Colours: Teal
Sizes: Small pony, pony, cob, full or extra-full
UV protection: 70%, eye mesh 50+%
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.
You might also like:
Had enough of annoying flies? We’ve tested some fly sprays to find which really work
6 handy fly gels and creams we’ve put to the test
13 fly rugs to suit every shape, need and budget
10 waterproof fly rugs – perfect for summer showers and sunshine
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