Fly season turns even a calm horse into a head-tossing, ear-pinning mess, and a good fly mask is usually the first line of defense. The tricky part is that “good” means something different depending on the horse. A horse recovering from an eye injury needs different coverage than one that just can’t stand flies buzzing around its ears, and a horse turned out in full sun for hours needs UV protection that a basic mesh mask won’t necessarily provide. Fit matters just as much — a mask that rubs or slips off during pasture play isn’t doing its job. Here’s a look at five fly masks built around different combinations of coverage, comfort, and protection.
Quick Comparison Table
|
Product |
Ear Coverage |
Closure |
UV Protection |
Best For |
|
Farnam SuperMask II |
Without ears |
Double-latch throat closure |
Blocks harmful UV rays |
All-day face and eye protection |
|
Cashel Crusader Long Nose |
With ears |
Standard closure |
Not specified |
Full face and nose coverage |
|
Professional’s Choice Comfort-Fit |
Mesh around eyes and ears |
Stretch binding |
Not specified |
Close, glove-like fit |
|
Harrison Howard Half Face Mask |
With ears |
Touch-and-go straps |
Blocks around 60% of UV rays |
Lightweight warm-weather wear |
|
Harrison Howard CareMaster Pro |
Large eye design |
Secure touch closures |
Lab-tested UV protection |
Sensitive or light-sensitive eyes |
1. Farnam SuperMask II Horse Fly Mask Without Ears
Overview
SuperMask II is built for extended, all-day coverage rather than a quick barrier against the worst of fly season. The mesh blocks flies, gnats, dust, and UV rays across the face, and Farnam designed the closure to sit under the jaw with a double latch, which makes it harder for a pasture-mate to pull off during play. It’s also positioned as useful during eye recovery, since the mesh shields healing eyes from irritation and light.
Key Features
- Double-latch throat closure for a more secure fit
- Plush fleece trim to reduce rubbing around the eyes
- Clear, structured mesh that maintains visibility
- Rated for wet-weather and season-long outdoor use
- Available in five sizes, from Foal to XL, with three trim colors
Specifications
|
Spec |
Detail |
|
Brand |
Farnam |
|
Item Form |
Mask (without ears) |
|
Sizes Available |
Foal, Yearling, Small, Average Horse, XL |
|
Trim Colors |
Blue, Maroon, Green |
|
Weather Rating |
Suitable for wet conditions |
|
Allergen Info |
Rawhide-free |
Pros: The double-latch closure genuinely helps it stay put during turnout, and the size range makes it easy to find a proper fit from a foal up through a full-size horse. Cons: Since it skips ear coverage, it’s not the right choice for a horse that’s specifically bothered by flies around the ears rather than the face.
Why This One Ranks Where It Does
SuperMask II earns the top spot for its combination of secure fit and broad size availability. Between the reinforced closure and the fleece trim, it covers the basics of comfort and staying power better than a mask built around a single niche feature.
Farnam SuperMask II FAQ
Does this mask cover the ears?
No, this version is built without ear coverage, focusing on the eyes and face.
Is it suitable for a horse recovering from an eye injury?
Farnam positions it as useful for shielding healing eyes from irritation and bright light, though a vet should confirm it fits a specific recovery situation.
What sizes are available?
Five sizes, ranging from Foal up to XL, with a choice of three trim colors.
2. Cashel Crusader Fly Mask, Long Nose with Ears
Overview
Cashel’s Crusader takes the opposite approach from SuperMask II, extending coverage down the nose and out over the ears for a horse that needs protection across a wider area of the face. Cashel notes it’s been recognized by clinicians and equine publications for its comfort, design, and fit, and the mesh includes soybean oil as part of its construction.
Key Features
- Long nose design extends coverage past the standard face mask
- Ear coverage included in the design
- Recognized by clinicians and equine publications, according to the brand
- Includes soybean oil in the mesh construction
- Built for standard horse sizing
Specifications
|
Spec |
Detail |
|
Brand |
Cashel |
|
Item Form |
Mask (with ears, long nose) |
|
Color |
Grey |
|
Active Ingredients |
Soybean oil |
|
Recommended Use |
Horse riding, turnout |
Pros: The extended nose and ear coverage make it a strong option for a horse that needs protection beyond the standard eye-and-face area. Cons: That extra coverage adds more material overall, which may feel warmer in peak summer heat compared to a smaller, half-face design.
Why This One Ranks Where It Does
This is the full-coverage pick on the list, going further down the nose and out over the ears than any of the other four masks here. For horses that need that broader protection, it fills a gap the shorter, half-face designs don’t cover.
Cashel Crusader FAQ
Does this mask include ear coverage?
Yes, it’s built with both ear coverage and an extended, long-nose design.
What makes it different from a standard fly mask?
The combination of nose and ear coverage gives it a wider protective range than a typical eyes-and-face-only mask.
What is soybean oil doing in the mesh?
It’s listed as part of the mask’s material construction, according to the product’s ingredient listing.
3. Professional’s Choice Comfort-Fit Fly Mask
Overview
This one is built around fit more than anything else. The smooth, stretchy material follows the shape of a horse’s face closely, with mesh panels around the eyes and ears and a forelock opening designed to keep the mask from bunching or shifting out of place.
Key Features
- Smooth, stretchy material for a close, glove-like fit
- Mesh panels around both eyes and ears
- Forelock opening for a more accurate fit around the head
- Binding around the edges to reduce shifting
- No active ingredients in the material
Specifications
|
Spec |
Detail |
|
Brand |
Professional’s Choice |
|
Item Form |
Fly mask |
|
Color |
Pink |
|
Active Ingredients |
None |
|
Fit Feature |
Forelock opening |
Pros: The stretchy, close-fitting material is a genuine advantage for a horse that tends to rub off looser masks, and the forelock opening helps it sit correctly rather than sliding backward. Cons: The listing doesn’t specify UV protection the way some of the other masks here do, so it may not be the top pick for a horse spending long hours in direct sun.
Why This One Ranks Where It Does
Comfort-Fit lands here on the strength of its fit alone. Between the stretch material and the forelock opening, it’s built to stay put and move with a horse’s face rather than sit rigidly on top of it, which matters most for active or fidgety horses.
Professional’s Choice FAQ
What makes this mask different from a standard mesh mask?
The stretchy, close-contact material and forelock opening are designed to give it a closer, more secure fit than a standard rigid mesh mask.
Does it cover the ears?
Yes, mesh panels extend around both the eyes and ears.
Does it contain any active ingredients?
No, the listing specifies no active ingredients in the material.
4. Harrison Howard Horse Fly Mask with Ears
Overview
Harrison Howard built this one around breathability, using a fine, ventilating nylon mesh that the brand states blocks around 60% of UV rays while still keeping airflow moving in warm weather. Roomy eye darts lift the mesh away from the eyes rather than resting directly on them, and fleece padding along the forehead and nose is meant to cut down on rubbing during longer turnout.
Key Features
- Breathable nylon mesh rated to block around 60% of UV rays, per the brand
- Roomy eye darts to reduce pressure near the eyes
- Fleece padding along the forehead and nose
- Adjustable touch-and-go straps for a secure, flexible fit
- Lightweight construction suited to warm-weather wear
Specifications
|
Spec |
Detail |
|
Brand |
Harrison Howard |
|
Item Form |
Mask (with ears, half face) |
|
Color |
Hunter Green |
|
Size |
Medium (Arabian) |
|
UV Protection |
Blocks around 60% of UV rays, per the brand |
Pros: The breathable mesh and lightweight build make it a comfortable option for hot-weather turnout, and the roomy eye darts help avoid pressure right against the eye. Cons: The 60% UV block, while useful, is lower than the fuller UV coverage some other masks on this list claim, so it may not be the top choice for a horse with high sun sensitivity.
Why This One Ranks Where It Does
This lands as the breathable, warm-weather option. The fine mesh and lighter overall build trade off some UV blocking for airflow, which is the right tradeoff for a horse that overheats easily but still needs basic sun and insect protection.
Harrison Howard Half Face FAQ
How much UV protection does this mask offer?
Harrison Howard states the mesh blocks around 60% of UV rays.
Is it a good fit for hot weather?
Yes, the ventilating mesh and lightweight design are built specifically with warm-weather breathability in mind.
What sizes does it come in?
The listing referenced here is a Medium, sized for an Arabian-type head, with other sizes available in the line.
5. Harrison Howard CareMaster Pro Luminous Horse Fly Mask
Overview
CareMaster Pro is built around eye comfort specifically, with a large-eye, anatomically shaped design meant to avoid pressure points around the eye socket. The translucent mesh is described as lab-tested for UV protection while maintaining high visibility, and thick fleece padding is used throughout to close off gaps that might otherwise rub.
Key Features
- Large-eye, anatomically shaped design to reduce pressure points
- Translucent mesh described as lab-tested for UV protection
- Midge-proof, breathable fabric construction
- Secure touch closures for a stable fit
- Thick fleece padding to prevent gaps and pressure marks
Specifications
|
Spec |
Detail |
|
Brand |
Harrison Howard |
|
Item Form |
Mask, large eye design |
|
Color |
Summer Mint |
|
Material |
Polyester |
|
Size |
Large (Horse) |
Pros: The large-eye shaping and thick fleece padding make it a strong option for horses with sensitive eyes or a history of rubbing against a standard mask. Cons: The more structured, padded build adds bulk compared to a lighter half-face mask, which may not suit every horse in the hottest stretch of summer.
Why This One Ranks Where It Does
This closes out the list as the sensitive-eye specialist. Between the anatomical shaping and the lab-tested UV mesh, it’s built more deliberately around eye comfort than the general-purpose masks earlier on this page.
Harrison Howard CareMaster Pro FAQ
What makes this mask different from Harrison Howard’s other fly mask on this list?
This one uses a large-eye, anatomically shaped design focused on reducing pressure around the eyes, compared to the lighter, more general half-face design of the other Harrison Howard mask above.
Is the mesh UV protective?
Harrison Howard describes the translucent mesh as lab-tested for UV protection.
Is it midge-proof?
Yes, the brand describes the fabric as midge-proof in addition to blocking standard flies.
Final Verdict
- Best Overall: Farnam SuperMask II — a secure, size-inclusive mask built for reliable all-day coverage
- Best Full Coverage: Cashel Crusader Long Nose — extended nose and ear protection for horses needing wider coverage
- Best Fit: Professional’s Choice Comfort-Fit — a stretchy, close-contact design for horses that rub off looser masks
- Best for Hot Weather: Harrison Howard Half Face Mask — breathable mesh built for warm-weather turnout
- Best for Sensitive Eyes: Harrison Howard CareMaster Pro — an anatomically shaped, large-eye design for reduced pressure
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Horse Fly Mask
Decide Whether Ear Coverage Matters
A horse that mainly tosses its head at flies around the eyes and face may do fine with an ears-free design like the Farnam SuperMask II, while a horse bothered specifically around the ears benefits more from a mask like the Cashel Crusader or Harrison Howard’s ear-covering options.
Check the UV Protection Level
Not every fly mask lists a specific UV rating. For horses spending long hours in direct sun, a mask with a stated UV block, such as Harrison Howard’s masks, offers more information to work with than a mesh mask without a listed rating.
Prioritize Fit for Horses That Rub or Remove Masks Easily
A secure closure and a close, stretchy fit, like the one on the Professional’s Choice Comfort-Fit, tend to hold up better against a horse that rubs its face on fences or pasture-mates.
Think About Airflow in Hot Climates
A finer, more ventilating mesh, like the one used on Harrison Howard’s half-face mask, helps prevent overheating during long turnout in warm weather, sometimes at a slight tradeoff in UV blocking.
Consider Eye Sensitivity and Recovery Needs
Horses recovering from an eye injury or dealing with light sensitivity generally benefit from a mask built around eye comfort specifically, such as the CareMaster Pro’s large-eye, anatomically shaped design.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Best Horse Fly Mask for UV Protection?
Harrison Howard’s masks list specific UV protection details, with the half-face design blocking around 60% of UV rays and the CareMaster Pro using a mesh described as lab-tested for UV protection.
Should I Choose a Fly Mask With or Without Ears?
That depends on where a horse is most bothered by flies — masks without ears, like the Farnam SuperMask II, focus on the eyes and face, while masks with ears, like the Cashel Crusader, extend protection further.
What Fly Mask Works Best for Horses With Sensitive Eyes?
The Harrison Howard CareMaster Pro is built specifically around eye comfort, using a large-eye, anatomically shaped design to reduce pressure near the eye socket.
How Do I Know What Size Fly Mask to Buy?
Fly masks are typically sized by horse type, from Foal or Yearling up through Average Horse and XL, so measuring a horse’s head and checking the brand’s specific size chart is the most reliable approach.
Can a Fly Mask Be Worn All Day?
Some masks, like the Farnam SuperMask II, are built for extended, season-long wear, though it’s still worth checking a mask periodically for rubbing, dirt buildup, or damage.
Do Fly Masks Help With Insect-Related Skin Irritation?
Reducing direct insect contact around the face and eyes can help limit related irritation, though a fly mask works best as one part of a broader fly control routine rather than a standalone solution.
Conclusion
The right fly mask comes down to matching coverage and fit to what a horse actually struggles with during fly season. Farnam SuperMask II covers the essentials with a secure, size-inclusive design, while the Cashel Crusader adds ear and nose coverage for horses needing more protection. Professional’s Choice Comfort-Fit solves the fit problem for horses that rub off looser masks, and Harrison Howard’s two options split the difference between breathable warm-weather wear and dedicated eye comfort. Since fly masks work best alongside a broader fly control routine, it’s worth checking our guide to the best horse supplements for joint, digestive, and fly control support for other ways to keep flies in check.
