Fly masks with UV protection

Fly mask with UV protection

UV protection for horses is increasingly becoming an important issue, especially in the summer months. UV masks for horses are available in different versions and with or without ear/nostril protection.

How does a fly mask with UV protection work?

Ideally, fly hoods for horses with UV protection act like sunglasses. They reliably protect the horse's eyes from sunlight and the horse's head against sunburn. That's why the light protection masks from innoHorse are made of a special high-tech fabric. With these horse masks with UV protection, some of the sun's rays are reflected by the fabric and some are absorbed. The fly masks with UV protection from innoHorse are available in different protection levels.

They block 59%, 77% or 100% of the sunlight on one side - depending on the model.

Do all fly masks have UV protection?

Basically, every fabric offers a certain degree of sun protection. But a “normal”, light mesh material, such as is often used around the horse's eyes for reasons of transparency, will usually only have very low UV protection. To ensure a high level of protection from sunlight, UV protection masks use mesh fabric with special, light-protecting properties.

When it comes to fly masks with UV protection for horses that are made of different materials, it is important to pay attention to whether the stated protective effect actually applies to the mesh in front of the horse's eyes - or only to the closed material. Especially in the case of medical problems, it is better not to make compromises or save money in the wrong places.

How do I choose the right UV protection mask for my horse?

Which light protection mask should be used depends on the horse's problem and its cause. Certain illnesses, procedures or medications can make horses hypersensitive to the sun's rays. Typical areas of application include: E.g.:

• Headshaking
• Periodic eye inflammation (moon blindness)
• Conjunctivitis
• Squamous cell carcinoma
• Cornea injuries
• Eye operations
• Blindness of one eye
• Sunburn

How much sun protection is needed for each horse is best determined by the treating veterinarian, as he knows the individual case exactly. But the innoHorse team will also be happy to help if you have any questions.

Headshaking in horses

Not every horse that shows head banging is a headshaker. Cause can e.g. dental problems, ear mites or unsuitable equipment. This should definitely be checked by a veterinarian!

If light-induced headshaking is diagnosed, horses should wear a high-quality UV protective mask or light protection mask for horses all day, if possible. In many cases, the trigeminal nerve, which ends in the nostrils, is overstimulated. Most affected horses then twitch or thrash their heads and rub their noses against their front legs as if something was stuck in their nostrils. That's why a well-fitting nose net/nose cover helps many headshakers.

You can read more about headshaking in horses and new treatment methods for headshakers in our blog.

Sunburn in horses

Horses can become sunburnt, particularly in areas of the skin with little pigmentation, mainly on the markings with white fur and pink-coloured skin. High-quality fly masks with UV protection or light protection masks can help with sunburn in the upper head area. They cover the affected areas to prevent sunburn. Existing skin irritation or inflammation usually heals quickly under a good UV protection fabric.

If sun protection is required on the horse's nostrils, we recommend a nose net with UV protection from innoHorse. These UV protection nets for the horse's nose for riding and grazing can be used individually or combined with an innoHorse sun protection mask. 

Find out more about sunburn in horses on our blog!

Medical eye protection for horses

The fly masks with UV protection from innoHorse are also frequently used for therapeutic purposes for horses. The masks have been used by horse owners and vets for over 20 years, particularly for eye diseases such as periodic eye inflammation, conjunctivitis, corneal injuries, after eye operations and for light-induced head shaking or squamous cell carcinoma.

In addition to the models with different UV protection strengths, the innoHorse VET SPECIAL light protection mask for horses offers the option of completely covering a horse's eye. This prevents sunlight from reaching the horse's eye and the robust cover offers additional protection in the event of eye injuries or after eye surgery. The darkening can be removed from the mask if necessary.

Brief overview of innoHorse light protection mask models:

Available innoHorse light protection mask models:

1. light protection mask EASY SHADE 59 %:

• 59 % sun protection/UV protection, i.e. mask only allows 41 % of sunlight to reach the horse's eye
• very good transparency, therefore versatile in use

2. light protection mask SUN BLOCK 77 %:

• 77 % UV protection, only 23 % of the sun's rays penetrate to the horse's eye
• slightly thicker and stronger fabric than the ‘EASY SHADE 59 %’ model

3. light protection mask VET SPECIAL:

• enables complete darkening in the eye area thanks to removable, opaque, robust inserts (fastened with Velcro)
• breathable inserts for hot summer days can be ordered as an option (to prevent sweating under the inserts on very hot summer days)
• used without inserts, the fabric of the ‘VET SPECIAL’ mask also offers 59 % light/UV protection

Also watch the product video about the innoHorse light protection masks.

All the models listed above can be combined with innoHorse UV nets for the nostrils for riding or grazing.

Do I need a fly mask with UV protection for nose, eyes and ears?

For horses that also have sensitive ears and/or nostrils, we recommend a UV fly mask with ear protection and the option of attaching an additional nose net to the mask. Sunburn in the head area is often an issue for horses with a wide blaze, for example. A nose net with high UV protection can usually help here. Many head shakers also react positively to the use of a nose cover (see above for why).

If the nose cover is not attached directly to the mask, this has various advantages. Read more about light protection masks with sewn-on nose protection in our blog.

Any more questions? The innoHorse team will be happy to help you! Click here for our contact form.