The Equilibrium fly mask came in a handy clear packet with a zip that can be used for storage. I tested the version with ears, but it’s also available without ears if you prefer.
I liked the fact it included a page of instructions for fitting the mask, including familiarising the horse with it as I can understand that a horse who had not worn a mask before might be frightened by one suddenly being put on.
Our horse, Alfie, has worn a similar mask to this for many years so we were able to pop it on easily without lengthy familiarisation.
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The mask is made of black gauze, with orange trim (there is also a grey option with yellow trim available). There is a hole for the horse’s forelock. It fastens at the back of the throat with a hook and loop strap and the part that goes over the poll is also an openable strap, which isn’t a feature of any other fly masks we’ve tried. As Alfie isn’t worried about having a mask put on, opening this is unnecessary and we left it shut after the first time, but it does open up options for a horse who is more nervous.
The mask feels lightweight and fitted well when we tried it on. There are thick strips of padding across the forehead and nose, which should make the mask comfortable and also serve to hold the mask well away from the horse’s eyes. Alfie, a 15.1hh Connemara, tried a medium size.
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Alfie seemed comfortable wearing it and carried on as normal in his field, including lying down.
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We found two downsides within a week of starting to use it. The first was that Alfie got one of his ears out of it twice.
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The second downside was that on the fifth day of use, we noticed a hole had developed on the cheek.
This fly mask does, however, have 70+% UV protection, which is certainly a positive and about average of the brands that declare their rating.
After eight weeks use, there is a larger hole in the mask on the cheek. The other negative is that the velcro over the poll has rubbed Alfie’s mane a bit, which isn’t much of a problem as he has a thick mane and we cut a bridle path, but it might be more of an issue on a horse with a thinner mane. On the upside, the mask has washed well and the ear escaping has proved to be an infrequent problem.
(Image credit: creditUnknown)
(Image credit: creditUnknown)
Verdict
This is a lightweight mask which fits and washes well and the horse seems comfortable wearing it. It is not the most hard-wearing as a hole developed on the cheek after only a few days’ use and a larger hole was evident after eight weeks of wear, plus it did rub the horse’s mane slightly over the poll.
Pippa Roome is Horse & Hound’s magazine editor and eventing editor. She has worked for the brand since 2003. Pippa shares a Connemara, Alfie, with her mother and takes part in grassroots eventing, while Alfie also does dressage with her mother. Alfie lives out full-time, with access to a stable which he can go in or not as he chooses.
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Pippa is a true eventing geek and has been H&H’s eventing editor since 2005. She has first-hand experience of competing up to British Eventing intermediate and international CCI2*-L level, and has worked in the industry on a top event yard. Pippa enjoys nothing more than immersing herself in the sport at the highest level, reporting from the five-stars and international championships, including the Olympics.
