From: Becky
Jessica-
Thanks for a great service. I hope you'll be able to answer my question for the comfort of my horse! My horse, Mocha's, best buddy, Cocoa, ( we call them the " chocolate boys") has taken to pulling Mocha's fly mask off whenever they are on pasture together. The woman I board with has been putting " War Paint" on Mocha, because she doesn't think there's any way to keep a mask on him. The heat and flies are terrible in Wisconsin and I'm concerned because I don't think the flies are really staying away from Mocha and I don't like spreading the war paint so close to his eyes. I have searched for a mask that isn't fastened with Velcro and have had no luck. I thought about trying to put a halter over the fly mask, but would prefer not to have him out all day in a halter. I'm hesitant to take him away from Cocoa, because he's really the only horse at that barn that he gets along well with and I tend to think he'd rather suffer the flies than be taken away from Cocoa. Do you know of any fly masks that are horse resistant? Do you have any comments about the safety of spreading war paint on Mocha's face? Mocha has been without a mask for a number of weeks now. Thanks for any help you can provide.
Becky
The problem with looking for a non-removable fly mask (and no, I don't know of any - and I have at least six different kinds at the farm!) is that any fly mask that could withstand another horse's determined efforts to remove it would be a risk to the horse wearing it. Like a heavy nylon halter, such a flymask could get caught on a fence (or on another horse's teeth!) and cause severe injury or death to the wearer. Even if such a fly mask existed, I wouldn't advise using it.
As long as fly season is particularly bad, I suggest that you resort to other methods of protection. A mask that doesn't stay on won't provide any protection at all. I agree with you that I would hesitate to put too much War Paint near Mocha's eyes, but you can buy a roll-on fly repellant product that is easily applied in the morning, stays on reasonably well all day long, and is quite useful. Look for this at your local tack or feed store. You may also want to try adding half a cup of cider vinegar to Mocha's feed. Most horses enjoy it, and many horse-owners swear by its fly-repellent properties. The theory is that it makes the horse's sweat more acid and less appealing to flies. At any rate, it won't hurt your horse, it's inexpensive, and it may help, so why not have a go?
I also agree with you about keeping the horses together. Your horse's needs for turnout and companionship should continue to be met, and since he and Cocoa are pals, they should continue to enjoy their turnout time together. I know it's frustrating to put a flymask on and see it removed half an hour later by another horse, but this really is absolutely normal gelding buddy behaviour. Just don't plan to turn out Mocha in a new, expensive blanket this winter...
Jessica
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