Horses are among the most beautiful and graceful animals anyone can own. They are beautiful and provide not just fun but also all round exercise every time you go horse riding. It is only fair then that you take good care of your horses. Horses are great with their gallops and will not get injuries easily. However, they are susceptible to bugs and this is something they have no control over. This is where you as the owner come in to provide the protection they need.
There are masks designed specifically to protect animals from insect bites and dust, specifically on the face. Horse fly masks are more effective than fly repellant because they offer extensive coverage. The eyes are most susceptible to biting flies mostly due to their membrane. The nose too and thinner skin membranes especially behind the ears and below the jaw are other regions that flies target. It is hard to apply repellant to some of these regions, and that is why a horse fly mask is more preferable.
The right fly mask for your horse should fit perfectly, not snugly or loosely and should not irritate the horse. Here are some guidelines to help you in choosing horse masks.
Ensure that the fabric of the mask does not obstruct the eyes. Your horse should be able to blink freely through the mask. This means it should fit just right, not too tightly. When tight around the eyes, a fly mask will cause abrasions to the eye ball, which can be extremely painful. If the fabric over the eyes is mesh, the holes should be small enough to prevent even the smallest of insects from getting in. Also important, ensure that the horse can see clearly from all angles when wearing the mask.
Ensure that the ear coverings fit well. They should provide enough room for him to flip his ears without obstruction. This space will also keep the holes from rubbing at and irritating his ears. If your horse is fussy about his ears and does not like them being touched, get horse fly masks that slip easily through his ears, rather than ones that have holes through which the ears have to be squeezed.
Choose horse fly masks with muzzles that go way below the cheekbone. They cover a wider area of the face than those with shorter muzzles. However, check that it is not too tight against the skin. Otherwise the horse will strain when moving the neck. To be on the safe side, opt for a fly mask with an elastic muzzle to allow for contraction and expansion in line with the movement of the jaw. There should be some space between the latch and the skin. You should also be able to put at least two fingers through this space.
Finally, to increase the shelf life of your horse fly masks, keep it clean. This you do by washing it, preferably every day after use. Failure to do so will lead to accumulation of dirt, which will enter the horse's eyes. Use water and a mild liquid soap to clean the mask, scrubbing where necessary. Occasionally, disinfect with a weak Betadine solution and rinse thoroughly. Horse fly masks are not easy to repair. Check for tears regularly and replace worn out fly masks instantly.
Nicole Roberts
Are you looking for comfort, quality and safe products for your horses? We have a great selection of quality horse fly masks and supplies for all disciplines.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nicole_Roberts
