KM Elite Fly Mask Detachable Nose With Ears (Large)

KM Elite Fly Mask with Ears and Nose – Large

This is KM Elite's own fly mask rather than a Cashel one, and it covers the lot: eyes, ears and nose in a single black mesh piece giving 50% UV protection. It is aimed squarely at the light-coloured horse that comes in from a July day with a pink nose and sore eyes.

The useful detail is that it converts. Each ear covering can be cut straight across above the stitched seam to leave an earless mask, so one mask handles the horse that tolerates ears and the horse that will not. Cutting is a one-way decision, which is worth remembering before you reach for the scissors.

Performance & Benefits

• Mesh gives 50% UV protection, aimed at light-coloured horses that burn on the nose and around the eyes.
• Full coverage over the eyes, ears and nose in a single mask.
• Converts to an earless mask by cutting each ear covering above the stitched seam.
• Black mesh and black trim, which shows dust and hay chaff less than a pale mask.
• Built for daily turnout rather than for occasional use.

Suitable For

• Light-coloured and pink-skinned horses that burn on the nose and round the eyes.
• Daily turnout through the fly season.
• Horses that will not tolerate ear coverings, using the earless conversion.
• Fields with no shade, where a horse stands out in full sun.
• Not available in small fittings — KM Elite point to their Combat Fly Mask range, made in Extra Small through Extra Large, for ponies.

How to Use

• Settle both ears into the ear coverings before fastening, so neither is folded.
• Check the mesh clears the lashes on both sides before you turn out.
• To convert to an earless mask, cut each ear covering straight across above the stitched seam. This cannot be undone, so try the mask with ears first.
• Take the mask off daily, shake the grit out of the mesh and check both eyes.
• Rinse in cool water and air dry. KM Elite publish no washing instructions for this mask.

Specification

• Full mask covering eyes, ears and nose, convertible to earless.
• Mesh gives 50% UV protection.
• Black mesh with black trim. Earlier retail listings describe this mask as beige with black trim; KM Elite's current listing gives it as black, and that is what is stated here.
• SKU 1011573. Barcode 5060171232186.
• KM Elite list this mask in Large and XLarge and point to the Combat Fly Mask range for smaller sizes.
• KM Elite publish no mesh weight, fastening detail or washing instructions for this mask, so none are stated here.

Care & Caution

• Grit and grass seed caught inside the mesh rest against the cornea. Remove the mask and shake it out daily rather than leaving it on for days at a time.
• The mask covers the eyes it protects — look at both eyes every time it comes off, for discharge, swelling or squinting.
• Cutting the ear coverings is permanent. Once cut, the mask cannot be returned to the eared version.
• This is not a breakaway mask. Retire it once the mesh is torn, rather than leaving a loose panel to fold back against the eye.