We’ve come to a strange time in history. Before, I would make a trip to the tack shop in order to get those specialty items we need for horses. They just didn’t exist outside of that. Later, it was the online versions of the those tack stores. Now I can go to Amazon to get these things, items I thought were so rare and specialized that there would be no way a retailer like that would carry them. Strange, strange times.
But that’s not really about the fly mask, just mussing about how times have changed and getting ready to tell children to get off my lawn. Let’s talk about this fly mask, purchased from Amazon.
My mare Vintage, now elderly, has always used a full face fly mask with ears to protect her entire face. Her muzzle used to burn very easily so the mask helped so much or I’d be forced to chase her down and put sunscreen on it. It only took one time of doing it for her to say, “never again will you touch this muzzle“.
I used to get an expensive brand of fly mask for her, but I don’t remember what it’s called now. It was about $40 though, which to me, is pretty expensive for a fly mask. But it was the only fly mask that had a nose piece, ears, and fit a cob.
Every two years or so, I’d be buying a new one. Fly masks only work so long, after all. So, once again, I found myself in need of a fly mask and I decided to try Amazon to see what they had.
This led me to the Harrison Howard CareMaster Horse Fly Mask Long Nose with Ears Full Face Moonlight Silver Medium Cob which we can all agree is a very unwieldy name. But despite not having a simple name, like Burt or Frank, I’m actually quite impressed with this fly mask.
It only cost $21, and that thing has not moved from Vintage’s face. It’s like it’s held on there by glue. I think it might be the double velcro straps – my old favorite fly mask only had the one.
It also must be comfortable enough that she doesn’t feel the need to try to rub it off. To be honest, it looks basically the same as the one she always uses, but that’s also a plus. A cob sized fit Vintage perfectly, and she is a 15.1 hh, with a fine build. Fine as in, smaller sized, not heavy boned.
The mask did arrive wrinkly, and I was afraid it would poke her in the eye. I flattened it out as best I could, and stuck it on her anyway. With use, it seems to have put itself in the correct position, luckily. Otherwise it would have been useless, no one likes being poked the eye and I assume Vintage feels the same way.
The only downside is that it definitely holds on to dirt. The mask part has a pretty fine mesh that’s ideal for dirt to just cling to. I’m anticipating I’ll be scrubbing out the mask pretty frequently.
Overall, really nice value for the money, and I’m just so happy it stays on. I’m going to buy one for Pony next, since I’ve been having to hunt for his every day. That’s what I get for trying to save a few bucks on his….