Fly Mask 24/7?

[Cobby]

My boy has bad sweet itch, but most of him is fine as he is wrapped up in a rambo sweet itch hoody. He still rubs his face and ears quite badly, the only one of many potions I have tried that helps is camrosa ointment. I have got him a rambo face mask but havent tried it yet, am a bit worried about it affecting his vision - what do you think? Also, i am not convinced that midges won't be able to get in to the mask, and is it ok to leave it on 24/7?

[coss]

last year i had a weatherbeeta mask on my gelding 24/7. it stopped him being bitten and his vision was fine. i tried the same mask on my mare and she refused to even move so i took it off. i would put it on and see if your boy looks like he's going to be ok. most horses are fine with fly masks. have you actually tried looking through it? i was quite amazed how much and how clear it was when i looked through my weatherbeeta although the equilibrium ones are clearer still. haven't seent the rambo ones but have a look through it yourself, i would leave it on 24/7 but keep checking to make sure it doesn't rub :)

[notpoodle]

it wont affect his vision i am sure :) i have peered through various of my pony's masks myself and all seems fine!

if the mask doesnt stay on like it should, try a fieldsafe headcollar over it (sticking it under the rambo's earholes never works as it all just slides off when they graze ....) :)

Julia
x

[joey_olop]

My boy wears his face mask 24/7(he also itches his ears & face) & he isnt bothered by it. He will pull a face before I put it on though in protest bless him!!

[showjumper-zoe]

My horses don't have sweet itch but mine wear their mask's during the day and have them off at night (but they're living in atm) as the flies go away at night unlike during the day.

[martini55]

My horses don't have sweet itch but mine wear their mask's during the day and have them off at night (but they're living in atm) as the flies go away at night unlike during the day.

You've got to remember they will be out at dawn so unless you get up dead early to go put the masks on again (which many can't manage) they will be affected by flies in the morning. 24/7 IMO is fine, esp. if they suffer from sweetitch.

[xxxkristinaxxx]

Yeah xena has hers on when shes turned out which is 24/7

i dont put it on her while we are riding though

[showjumper-zoe]

You've got to remember they will be out at dawn so unless you get up dead early to go put the masks on again (which many can't manage) they will be affected by flies in the morning. 24/7 IMO is fine, esp. if they suffer from sweetitch.

Yes but I said with mine as they don't suffer from midge bites. I would stable a sweet itch prone horse between those times to offer it relief from the bitting midges.:)

I have been told by some people about bad vision and headaches wearing fly masks 24/7 but i'm not sure if it's true.

[Cobby]

Thanks for your replies. Will try it on him at the weekend when I've got time to watch him in the field for a while. :)

[joshes mum]

Ours all wear theirs 24/7 and dont seem affected by it.:)