Best Fly Masks for Horses: UV, Ears and Fit Compared

Updated November 6, 2026

The best fly mask for a horse is the one that fits, stays on and covers the skin that needs covering. Choose UV-rated mesh with nose coverage for pink skin and white faces, ear covers for gnats, and a bridle-compatible mask for riding. The highest maker-stated UV figures we could confirm for masks we stock are about 70%.

Quick picks

These are fly masks we stock, matched to the need each one suits best. Every fact comes from the maker's own page or the product's listing; product pages carry current sizes and colors.

No single mask is best for every horse. The sections below explain each need in turn, starting with UV protection, then ears, nose coverage, sensitive eyes, horses that rub masks off, riding, small and refined heads, fit and care.

Key Takeaways

• Start with the need: pink skin, gnats at the ears, a horse that pulls masks off, or riding each point to a different style.
• Think health, not just flies: veterinary schools recommend UV-protective fly masks for horses at risk of squamous cell carcinoma and for horses with equine recurrent uveitis (ERU).
• Read the rating on the maker's own page: UV percentages vary from mask to mask, some makers give an average and a minimum, and some say the effectiveness may diminish over time.
• No confirmed 100% mask: the highest maker-stated ratings we could confirm for the masks we carry are about 70%. We found no fly mask with a confirmed 100% UV rating.
• Fit comes first: measure your horse, use the maker's size chart, and check that the mesh sits clear of the eyes and lashes.
• Keep it working: clean the mask as its maker directs, check it every day, and replace it when the mesh tears or the closures stop gripping.

UV Protection for Pink Skin and White Faces

When you think of a fly mask, your first thought is probably keeping insects off your horse's face. That's the main job. But a mask with UV-rated mesh adds a second one: cutting down the sunlight that reaches the eyes and the thin, sometimes unpigmented skin around them. Think of it as a mix of sunglasses and a sun hat for your horse.

Do Horses Need UV Eye Protection?

Some do far more than others. Cornell University's College of Veterinary Medicine, reporting the advice of Dr. Kelly Knickelbein, recommends fly masks that protect horses from flies, wind, allergens and the sun. Cornell calls squamous cell carcinoma "the most common cancer to affect the eyelid and ocular surface in horses" and says UV rays are a major contributor to it on the eye. It adds that horses with non-pigmented skin around their eyes should wear fly masks with at least 90 percent UV protection, and that you should take the mask off at least once a day to check the eyes.

So the horses with the clearest need are those with pink, unpigmented skin around the eyes, breeds with a known genetic risk of squamous cell carcinoma, and horses with eye disease such as recurrent uveitis. A dark-skinned horse with healthy eyes has less medical need, though a mask still keeps flies and some glare off the face.

Sunburn and Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Horses with light coats, white facial markings or pink skin around the eyes and muzzle are more exposed to the sun's effects. The University of California, Davis Center for Equine Health describes chronic exposure to ultraviolet light as "a well-known risk factor" for squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), a skin cancer it says is usually found in non-pigmented or lightly pigmented areas of the head and neck, eyes and genitals. On the eye, the tumor can arise on the eyelids, the conjunctiva or the cornea.

UC Davis also notes a genetic variant that raises SCC risk in some breeds, including Haflingers, Belgians and Rocky Mountain Horses, and recommends that high-risk horses "wear UV-protective fly masks and be stabled during peak sunlight hours." It adds that early detection is linked to the best outcomes, and that horses carrying two copies of the variant should have routine eye exams.

In a Virginia Tech veterinary teaching hospital story on sun safety, the hospital's ophthalmology team advised owners to check horses regularly for unusual growths, lumps or sores, especially around the eyes; to provide shade in pastures; to choose a fly mask with at least 90 percent UV protection, noting that many standard masks offer less; and to apply an equine-safe sunscreen to pink skin such as the muzzle.

A mask can lower sun exposure, but it can't diagnose or treat anything. If you see a sore, crust, growth or pink patch on your horse's eyelid, third eyelid or muzzle that doesn't heal, have your vet look at it.

Fly Masks and Equine Recurrent Uveitis

Equine recurrent uveitis, often called moon blindness, is diagnosed when a horse has two or more separate episodes of uveitis in the same eye. The University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine's ophthalmology service describes it as an immune-mediated condition influenced by genetic and environmental factors. Its ERU FAQ states: "A UV protective fly mask is also recommended as UV light may exacerbate immune-mediated uveitis."

For a horse with ERU, a UV mask is one part of a management plan your vet sets, not a treatment. UT's FAQ lists squinting, increased cloudiness or tearing as the usual signs of a flare-up and asks owners to call their veterinarian if they are concerned their horse is having one.

Headshaking on Bright Days

Some horses flick or toss their heads in sunlight. The UC Davis Center for Equine Health describes trigeminal-mediated headshaking as "uncontrollable shaking, flicking, or jerking of the head" and says episodes can be set off by changes in weather, loud sounds, vibrations and exercise; horses with severe signs on bright, sunny days are called photic headshakers. UC Davis says nose nets and fly masks with ultraviolet light protection "have been reported to provide some improvement," but that full resolution is rare.

Head tossing can also come from flies, tack or pain, so have your vet examine a horse that starts headshaking before you rely on a mask. If your vet confirms light is a trigger, a UV-rated mask, or a mask with a nose fringe or nose piece, is a reasonable thing to try alongside the plan your vet sets.

Which Horses Benefit Most?

Every horse turned out in fly season can benefit from a mask, but some have a stronger reason to want good UV protection. This quick guide sums up the points above:

Our Picks for Sun-Sensitive Horses

Shires rates the eye mesh on its FlyGuard Pro fine mesh masks at "70+% average UV blocking," with a "minimum rating 60+% for eye mesh," and adds that "effectiveness may diminish over time." For the Deluxe masks, Shires gives the same 70+% average with a 60+% minimum for the mesh. For a pink muzzle, the Shires FlyGuard Pro Deluxe Fly Mask with Ears and Nose or the Ears and Nose style of the Shires FlyGuard Pro Fine Mesh Fly Mask covers the nose as well as the eyes. Shires says the full face of its nose style "offers UV protection to the delicate nose area."

Cashel states that its Crusader masks give "70% UV protection without sacrificing visibility." The Cashel Crusader Sun Fly Mask comes in standard and long-nose styles, and the long nose extends coverage down the face for sun-sensitive and light-skinned horses. Cashel describes the mesh as soft-coated nylon micromesh.

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Cashel Crusader Sun Fly Mask & 70% UV Protection

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Professional's Choice Comfort-Fit Lycra Fly Mask

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Shires Fine Mesh Fly Mask with Ear Holes – 70% UV Protection

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Shires FlyGuard Pro Fine Mesh Fly Mask with UV Protection

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Decoding UV Ratings on Fly Masks

When you shop for a fly mask, you'll see a lot of UV claims. The rating tells you roughly how much ultraviolet light the mesh blocks. A standard fly mask is built to keep insects away; a UV mask is built to do that and to cut down the sunlight reaching the eyes and face. Any mask gives a little shade, but only a mesh designed and rated for UV blocking tells you how much of the invisible ultraviolet light it stops.

What Are UV Fly Masks Made Of?

UV fly masks use meshes made to block a share of ultraviolet light while staying light and see-through. Makers describe their fabrics in different ways: Shires lists its FlyGuard Pro masks as 100% polyester with "clearview" eye mesh, and Cashel describes soft-coated nylon micromesh. The mesh also has to be sturdy enough to survive daily turnout.

Owners often ask whether a horse can see through the mesh. It is made to be see-through: Shires says its fine mesh allows free flow of air and good visibility, and Cashel says its Crusader design keeps the mask away from the eyes and lashes. Clean mesh and correct fit matter here, since mud on the mesh or a mask that slips makes it harder to see.

60% vs. 70% vs. 90%: What's the Real Difference?

The percentage on the label is the share of UV light the maker says the fabric blocks. A mask rated 70% lets through roughly 30% of the UV that would otherwise reach that area; a 90% mask lets through roughly 10%. A few points help you read these numbers:

• Average and minimum: some makers give two numbers. Shires, for example, states a 70+% average with a minimum of 60+% for the eye mesh. A listing that quotes only the lower figure may be describing the same mask.
• Which part is rated: a rating may apply to the eye mesh, the nose piece or the whole mask. Read the description to see which.
• Change over time: Shires notes that effectiveness may diminish over time, so an old, worn mask may not perform like a new one.
• Who states it: trust the rating on the maker's own page over a reseller's description.

For most horses, any well-fitted mask with UV-rated mesh is a step up from no mask. For horses at high risk, such as those with pink skin around the eyes or a history of SCC or uveitis, Virginia Tech's ophthalmology team and Cornell advise at least 90 percent UV protection. Ask your vet what rating they want for your horse, and check whether the masks you're considering state that rating.

Is There a 90%, 95% or 100% UV Fly Mask?

Many shoppers search for a 100% UV fly mask, or for 90% or 95% ratings. Here is the plain answer for the masks we carry:

• Shires FlyGuard Pro: Shires states "70+% average UV blocking," a "minimum rating 60+% for eye mesh," and that "effectiveness may diminish over time."
• Cashel Crusader: Cashel states 70% UV protection.
• Professional's Choice, Bucas and Mackey: Professional's Choice describes the mesh on its FlyScreen mask as UV protective, and Toklat, which distributes Bucas in the US, says the Buzz-Off Deluxe gives a level of protection from sun bleaching. Neither gives a percentage, and we could not find a Mackey page that states one, so we don't quote a figure for these.

We found no fly mask with a confirmed 100% UV rating, and none of the masks we carry has a maker-stated 90% or 95% rating that we could confirm. Brands that advertise higher figures are ones we don't carry, and we haven't verified their numbers. Treat any 100% claim with care: ask which part of the mask it covers and how it was measured, and remember that skin outside the mask gets no protection from it.

If your horse is in a high-risk group, talk to your vet before you settle on a mask rated around 70%. Ask whether to look for a maker that states 90% or more on its own page, and which other steps to add: UC Davis recommends that high-risk horses be stabled during peak sunlight hours, and Virginia Tech advises shade in pastures and an equine-safe sunscreen on pink skin.

Why Construction Matters as Much as the Rating

The UV rating is only part of the story. Masks also differ in the quality of their mesh, seams and fasteners. A mask that fits well, holds its shape around the eyes and stays on through turnout gives steady protection; one that slips, sags or tears doesn't, whatever its label says. When you compare masks, weigh the rating together with fit, edging, closures and how well the mesh holds up.

Ears: Covers for Gnats vs Ear Holes

Gnats, midges and black flies love the inside of a horse's ears, and a horse that shakes its head or rubs its ears on fence posts in the evening may be telling you so. Ear covers put a soft, breathable barrier over the ears. Ear holes leave the ears free, which suits a horse that fusses with fabric over its ears or already wears a fly bonnet.

• Ear covers: the Shires FlyGuard Pro Deluxe Fly Mask with Ears and the Ears style of the FlyGuard Pro fine mesh mask use what Shires calls Airstream ears. The Professional's Choice Fly Mask with UV Protection and Soft Ears, the Bucas Buzz Off Deluxe Fly Mask with Ears and the Crusader with ears also cover the ears. Cashel says its ear styles add coverage against ticks and biting insects.
• Ear holes: the Shires Fine Mesh Fly Mask with Ear Holes, also sold as the Ear hole style of the FlyGuard Pro fine mesh mask, leaves the ears free through fleece-lined openings.
• No ear section at all: the Mackey Standard Fly Mask and the Crusader without ears sit behind the ears, so there is nothing to thread the ears through.

Some horses accept ear covers on the first try, while others pin their ears every time. Our guide to a horse fly mask with ears vs without ears walks through that choice and how to fit each style.

Nose Coverage: Full Nose, Long Nose or Fringe

A standard mask covers the eyes and the upper face and leaves the muzzle bare. That's fine for a dark-skinned horse, but a pink nose burns easily and flies like to settle on the muzzle. You have three main options:

• Full nose section: the Shires FlyGuard Pro Deluxe Fly Mask with Ears and Nose, the Ears and Nose style of the fine mesh mask and the Shires FlyGuard Pro Hi-Viz Fine Mesh Fly Mask with Ears and Nose cover the muzzle with mesh. Shires gives a 60+% minimum rating for the eye and nose mesh on its fine mesh nose style.
• Long nose: the Cashel Crusader long-nose style extends down the face for sun-sensitive and light-skinned horses.
• Nose fringe: the Shires FlyGuard Pro Deluxe Fly Mask with Ears and Nose Fringe uses a fringe that moves with the horse to deter flies from the muzzle, without a solid piece over it. Some Professional's Choice Comfort-Fit sizes also come with a nose fringe. A fringe helps with flies but gives the skin little sun cover.

Any nose piece has to leave room to graze and drink comfortably. Check it after the first turnout for rubs over the nose and for grass or dirt packed underneath.

Sensitive or Weepy Eyes

Some horses squint or tear in bright light, wind or dust. That can simply be glare, but squinting and tearing are also signs of eye pain and disease, so don't assume a mask is the answer. Have your vet examine any horse that squints, has a cloudy eye, holds an eye shut or has a discharge.

Once your vet has ruled out a problem, or has a plan in place, the mask's shape matters as much as its mesh. Look for a structured eye area that keeps the mesh well away from the eyeball and lashes: Shires builds a 3D eye visor into its FlyGuard Pro masks, Cashel says the Crusader holds the mesh away from the eyes and lashes, and Professional's Choice describes contoured eye darts on its soft-ears mask. Soft binding around the eyes and a mask that doesn't shift as the horse grazes also help. Our guide on how to pick a fly mask for a horse with sensitive eyes covers this in more detail.

Horses That Rub Masks Off, and Turnout Durability

Some horses treat a fly mask as a challenge, and pasture mates sometimes help pull it off. A mask that ends up in the mud protects nothing, so for these horses closures and fit come before everything else.

• Closures: the Mackey Standard Fly Mask is listed with a double hook-and-loop jaw closure, and the Professional's Choice Fly Mask with UV Protection and Soft Ears with double elastic cheek straps. Toklat describes an elasticated neck strap and a magnetic strap under the chin on the Bucas Buzz-Off Deluxe.
• Fit at the poll: Shires says its Deluxe and fine mesh masks have an elasticated poll, which helps the mask sit closer. A forelock opening, as on the Crusader and the Comfort-Fit, also keeps a mask from sliding back.
• Stretch fabrics: the Professional's Choice Comfort-Fit Lycra Fly Mask follows the shape of the head, which suits some horses that rub at stiffer masks.
• Extra room: if a mask is right everywhere but tight under the jaw, the Cashel Fly Mask Extender, which Cashel says adds up to 5 inches, can help.

Reinforced Seams and Soft Edges

Horses are hard on their gear. A good turnout mask has strong stitching that won't unravel after a few weeks and soft binding along the edges to prevent chafing. Look for fleece trim or padded binding where the mask meets the face, and mesh that is firm enough to hold its shape away from the eyes but soft enough not to rub.

Turnout Safety

A mask spends hours on your horse with no one watching, so think about safety as well as protection. Check fences, gates and hay feeders for spots where a strap could catch. Make sure the closures are fastened securely so the mask can't slip down over the eyes, and check it at least once a day. If a mask is torn, stretched or keeps sliding, take it out of use until you can fix or replace it. For horses turned out in big or wooded pastures, the Shires FlyGuard Pro Hi-Viz masks make the horse, and a mask that comes off, easier to spot: Shires says the bright color shows up in daylight and the prints reflect torch beams in lower light.

Fly Masks for Riding

Most turnout masks aren't made to go under or over a bridle. For trail and arena work, the Cashel Quiet Ride Fly Mask is designed to be worn while you ride. Cashel says it is based on the Crusader design but made with lighter, soft, breathable nylon mesh, that it "fastens securely over the bridle without affecting vision," and that it is meant to help with head tossing and stress caused by insects while riding. It comes in standard, ears and long-nose styles, with mule and donkey versions.

Minis, Ponies and Arabs

Small and refined heads are the hardest to fit, and a mask that's a little too big slips over the eyes. Start with a mask that is made in small sizes rather than a horse size cut down:

• Minis and foals: the Cashel Crusader is listed from Foal/Mini size up, and Cashel's chart starts at XX-Small (27 inches) for foals and mini horses.
• Ponies: Shires makes the FlyGuard Pro fine mesh mask from Extra Small Pony, and the Professional's Choice Comfort-Fit comes in a Pony size, listed with an 18-inch nose and 27-inch throat opening.
• Arabs and refined heads: the Comfort-Fit has an Arabian size, listed at a 19-inch nose and 29-inch throat opening, and the Crusader has an Arab/Small Horse size.

For a miniature horse, measure carefully: our mini horse fly mask sizing guide covers the measurements to take. Whatever you choose, compare your horse's measurements with the maker's chart for that exact mask.

How to Fit and Size a Fly Mask

A fly mask can only do its job if it fits. One that's too loose can let insects in or snag on a fence; one that's too tight can rub and irritate. Cashel's fitting advice says two fingers should fit comfortably under the mask at the poll and behind the ears, that the mask should stay off the eyes, lashes and forelock, and that a poorly fitted mask "can cause painful rubs behind the ears, eye irritation." Cashel adds that horses wearing the wrong size often shake their heads, rub against fences or refuse to wear protection.

How to Measure Your Horse

Use a soft tape and follow the steps on the size chart for the mask you're considering, since each maker measures in its own way. Pay attention to the jowls, cheeks and the area behind the ears, where gaps let flies in. Cashel's chart runs from XX-Small (27 inches) to XX-Large (50 inches), and Cashel says every Crusader mask has trimmable sections in 3/4-inch increments for a custom fit.

Don't Rely on Size Names

It's easy to assume that a "Horse" size from one brand fits like a "Horse" size from another. It often doesn't. Size names aren't standardized: Cashel sizes its Crusader masks by a measurement chart from XX-Small to XX-Large, Shires sells its FlyGuard Pro fine mesh masks from Extra Small Pony to Extra Extra Full, and Professional's Choice lists nose and throat openings for each Comfort-Fit size. Measure your horse and compare the numbers with the chart for the mask you want.

Introducing a Mask to Your Horse

Most horses accept a fly mask quickly, but a first fitting goes more smoothly if you take your time. Let your horse see and sniff the mask, then put it on in a quiet place where you can hold the horse. Fasten the closures gently, check the fit around the eyes, ears and jowls, and watch your horse for a few minutes before turnout. For the first few days, take the mask off after a short time and check for rubs before leaving it on for longer.

Reading a Fly Mask Product Page

Before you choose a mask, run through a short checklist on the product page:

1. UV rating: is a percentage stated, and does it come from the maker? Is it an average, a minimum, or both?
2. Coverage: does the rating apply to the eye mesh, the nose piece or the whole mask?
3. Style: standard, with ears, with ear holes, with a nose piece, or with a nose fringe?
4. Size chart: what measurements does the maker ask for, and where does your horse fall?
5. Care: how does the maker say to wash and dry it?

If a page leaves out something that matters to you, look up the maker's own description before you decide.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Guessing the size: a mask that doesn't fit can be ineffective and unsafe. Always measure.
• Assuming every mask blocks the same UV: not every fly mask is UV rated, and those that are carry different ratings. If sun protection is the reason you're buying, look for a stated rating on the maker's page.
• Overlooking your horse's needs: a standard mask may be fine for a bay with dark skin and inadequate for a horse with a pink muzzle or a history of eye problems. If your horse has ERU or has had skin cancer, ask your vet which rating and style they want.
• Leaving a mask on without checking: Cornell advises taking the mask off at least once daily to check the eyes. Many owners also take masks off overnight. Daily removal is your chance to look for rubs, discharge or swelling.

How to Care for Your Fly Mask

A little regular care keeps a fly mask comfortable and working. It's also how you spot wear before it becomes a problem.

Cleaning

Masks pick up mud, dust and sweat, which can irritate the skin and cloud the mesh. Brush or rinse off dirt regularly and wash the mask as its maker directs. For its FlyGuard Pro masks, Shires says to fasten all straps and hand wash cool with non-detergent soap, then air dry away from direct heat. For the Crusader and Quiet Ride, Cashel says to remove hay and debris, hose off dirt and dust as needed, and hang the mask to dry completely before putting it back on your horse. If your horse wears a mask every day, a second mask lets you rotate while one dries.

Storage and When to Replace a Mask

Store masks clean and dry, away from direct sunlight, during the off-season. Replace a mask when the mesh tears, the closures lose their grip, or the mask no longer holds its shape around the eyes. Remember too that Shires notes UV effectiveness may diminish over time. If the closures are the only problem, a replacement such as the Weaver Leather Xtended Life Hook and Loop Replacement, made for horse boots and fly masks, can extend the life of a good mask. For more on Shires masks, including Shires' exact UV wording for each model, see our Shires fly mask FAQ.

When to Call the Vet

A fly mask is protective gear, not a medical treatment. Call your veterinarian if you notice any of these:

• Squinting, increased cloudiness of the eye or tearing, which UT's ERU FAQ lists as the usual signs of a uveitis flare-up
• A lump, growth, crust or sore on the eyelid, third eyelid or muzzle that doesn't heal or grows quickly, which Virginia Tech's ophthalmology team advises owners to watch for
• Discharge, swelling or redness around the eye
• Rubs or hair loss under the mask that don't improve when you adjust the fit

Early attention matters. UC Davis notes that early detection of squamous cell carcinoma is linked to the most successful outcomes.

Pairing a Fly Mask With Other Fly Protection

A fly mask protects the face, but flies bite the legs and body too. Many owners pair a mask with fly boots and a fly sheet, along with good manure management and a fly repellent used as its label directs. Our guide to choosing the best fly boot covers leg protection in the same way this guide covers masks, and our fly control guide to using a fly mask and fly sheet together looks at whole-body protection. You can compare masks, boots and sheets in our Fly Season Protection collection.

For horses at high risk from the sun, a mask works best alongside other simple steps. Virginia Tech's ophthalmology team advises providing shade in pastures and applying an equine-safe sunscreen to unpigmented pink skin, such as the muzzle, and UC Davis recommends that high-risk horses be stabled during peak sunlight hours. Ask your vet which combination suits your horse and your turnout.

Brands We Don't Carry

An earlier version of this guide reviewed masks from EquiVizor, Kensington, Star Point, WeatherBeeta and Majyk Equipe, and described a Hooves and Paws "Premium UV Fly Mask." We don't carry those brands, and we don't make our own fly mask, so we've removed those reviews along with ratings and claims we couldn't confirm from the makers. If you're considering one of those brands, read the maker's own description, UV rating and size chart before you buy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best fly mask for horses?

There is no single best mask for every horse. The best one fits, stays on and covers what your horse needs covered: UV-rated mesh with a nose piece for pink skin, ear covers for gnats, ear holes or an earless mask for horses that dislike ear covers, and a bridle-compatible mask for riding. The Quick picks table above matches each need to a mask we stock.

Is there a fly mask with 100% UV protection?

We found no fly mask with a confirmed 100% UV rating. The best maker figures we could confirm for the masks we carry are Shires' 70+% average with a 60+% minimum for the eye mesh, and Cashel's 70% for its Crusader masks. A higher rating matters most for horses with pink skin around the eyes, a history of skin cancer, or uveitis, and Virginia Tech's ophthalmology team advises at least 90 percent for those horses. If your vet wants 90% or more, ask about adding shade, turnout outside peak sun and sunscreen on pink skin, and look for a maker that states that rating on its own page.

Does my horse need a UV mask if it has a dark coat and no pink skin?

Not every horse has a medical need for one. Veterinary schools recommend UV-protective masks mainly for horses at risk of squamous cell carcinoma, such as those with unpigmented skin around the eyes, and for horses with recurrent uveitis. For other horses, a well-fitted fly mask with UV-rated mesh is still a simple way to keep flies and some of the sun's glare off the face. Ask your vet if you're unsure.

Will a fly mask make my horse too hot, and how often should I check it?

A well-made mask uses a light, open mesh that lets air through, so it shouldn't trap much heat. Fit matters too: a mask that's too tight presses on the face and cuts airflow. Check the mask and your horse's face every day, as Cornell advises, brush or rinse off dirt and sweat regularly, and wash the mask as its maker directs.