Fly Mask

Fly masks are mesh screens designed to fit over a horse's face and eyes. They come in a variety of shapes, sizes and styles. Some include the ears. More form fitting masks are less likely to be rubbed off by horses. It is extremely difficult to maintain a fly mask on a horse kept in a treed pasture. Pasture mates also tend to bite at and remove fly masks. Some are made of so called UV protective materials.

We recommend a UV light protection mask to all our horses with either uveitis or tendency toward squamous cell carcinoma. Both diseases have been associated with UV light exposure. Gilger (Equine Ophthalmology) mentions UV light as an environtmental trigger but does not cite this. Anecdotally the majority of our uveitis patients seem to have fewer episodes when owners are diligent about UV light protection. This includes winter time because I see quite a few flare ups when there is snow on the ground and owners have stopped using the mask. Makes sense to me that light reflecting off the snow could increase UV light exposure.