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Discussion on Cashel crusader fly mask vs farnham supermask
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Member:
frances
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Posted on Monday, Aug 3, 2009 - 4:16 am:
Hi all,
I normally order the farnham supermask for fly protection, but the cashel crusader does look very well made so I'm thinking of changing to that. Just wondering whether, being more substantial-looking than the supermask, it might be hotter and less breathable.
Any opinions/experiences re which is the cooler of the two?
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Monday, Aug 3, 2009 - 5:54 am:
Hi LL, I have always used the Farnam masks, but just this year I decided to try the crusader masks with long nose and ears. They are a bit heavier than the farnams. My mare decided she doesn't like hers for some reason. We haven't had a lot of hot weather, but I believe they would be hotter.
One day I decided to use their old Farnam masks to see if they had a preference the geldings like the cashel better IMHO...probably because of the long nose keeping the flies off there noses. The face flies have been horrible.
I have been using the quiet ride fly mask on the mare. It is much lighter and has the long nose and ears too.
Over all the cashels are very well made. The mesh is a little too "substantial" and stiff. Very good I guess if your horse is hard on masks.
My horses really like the long nose on them tho. If I could find a less "stiff" mask with the long nose that would be my next purchase.
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Member:
canter
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Posted on Monday, Aug 3, 2009 - 7:37 am:
Hi LL,
My mare has no preference, but I feel the Cashel products are better made and last longer.
Off topic of fly masks, but related to keeping the horse comfortable: for the past two years, Sparkles' rear fetlocks have been chewed alive by bugs. Last year she had some major swelling on the lower rear legs as a result. I hated to do it, but I purchased the leg fly wraps (can't remember the brand). They protected her from the flies, but didn't fit well- not contoured to fit around the fetlock, particularly on a heavier boned horse. I kept them on only as long as she needed them for about 6 weeks. Fast forward to this year and bugs are really bad. I pulled out those leg wraps to prevent her torment and again was continuously irritated by the way they are made. Finally stopped at a local tack store and "studied" the other brands. The Cashel brand is made with a "pocket" for the fetlock joint and have slight padding for the back of the fetlock so that the wraps don't rub. I bought them and am thrilled with the way they fit her. I think she has a lot more freedom of movement without rubbing and they are much more adjustable for a better fit. Too soon to tell how they will hold up as she's only worn them just over a week, but if they last as long as the fly mask has, they are well worth the money.
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Member:
cheryl
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Posted on Monday, Aug 3, 2009 - 7:43 am:
LL - I haven't had to use fly masks for the past few years - the only flies we have a problem with are the little 1/4 inch fly that makes sores on the horses stomach and chest - don't know what they are but a pox on them for sure. When I was using masks I used the Cashel. It is stiffer and heavier - but - the stiffness seemed to keep it away from their eyes better than the SuperMask. The long mask protects against sunburn on horses with that problem. They are more expensive but they also last much longer than the SuperMask. If I needed to go back to masks I would definitely use the Cashel.
Cheryl K
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New Member:
pschwab
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Posted on Monday, Aug 3, 2009 - 11:09 am:
Hi all,
I have never posted before but the Cashel fly mask caught my attention. It is the ONLY fly mask I use. It lasts forever and the stiffness of the mesh keeps it away from the eyes. The mask will soften over the years--however, I have never thrown one away--keep them for extras. As for those nasty black critters on the midline and chest--Shapley's oil works very well. I wipe it on with a paper towel.
Love this forum--Pat
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Member:
zarr
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Posted on Monday, Aug 3, 2009 - 11:35 am:
If you are putting masks on mares don't forget to go Pink part of the price goes to breast cancer research!
Have used them for years.The new grey ones are a little cooler and yes flies and wasps ALL bugs are horrible this year!!! 
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Member:
sodmonst
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Posted on Monday, Aug 3, 2009 - 8:11 pm:
One more vote for the Cashel Crusader. Old masks can be cut down and tacked onto new ones for the nose protection. Strips cut from "no-mate knee socks" make good edging for the nose piece. I like the Absorbine mask too, but the black color is too hot for Arizona summer.
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Member:
stek
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Posted on Monday, Aug 3, 2009 - 8:34 pm:
The Cashel masks are well made but the ones I have used attach more forward on the horse's face, under the jaw rather than the throatlatch, and our horses scrape them right off unless they are strapped on really tight, so tight that they leave a mark on the horse's nose. After having gone through 4 this year I'm giving up on them.
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Member:
brandi
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Posted on Tuesday, Aug 4, 2009 - 1:40 am:
I have 6 horses on property and every one uses a Cashel Crusader and has, for at least the past 4/5 years. I have two who won't tolerate the ears (dummies!) and one who hates the long nose, but with Cashel, I have all those options on the same high-quality mask. My Friesian was very sweaty in the earlier black version (had a salt crusted "cap" which mirrored the shape of the black area!), but is perfect in the "Cool" grey version. The black ears and poll area was their only drawback, so the new "cool" is pretty much perfection in my book. The ear mesh is very soft, and that's the only place I EVER have to do repairs, and if it gets too bad, it gets handed down to the non-ear lovers! Mine last several seasons if I just wash them a couple of times each summer. They rarely - very RARELY - rub them off.
Here is Simon my Friesian sporting his:
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Member:
cheryl
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Posted on Tuesday, Aug 4, 2009 - 8:01 am:
Hey Pat - I ran a bing.com search for Shapley's Oil - there are a bunch of them - which one do you use? Thanks, Cheryl K
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New Member:
pschwab
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Posted on Tuesday, Aug 4, 2009 - 9:38 am:
Hi Cheryl,
I use Shapley's Original M-T-G (mane-tail-groom).
It is widely available in farm stores and equine catalogs. In the spring when the bugs are biting fiercely, I wipe it on the chests, midline, and between hind legs of the horses. During the summer months I have to use it only occasionally on the midline.
Pat
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Member:
frances
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Posted on Wednesday, Aug 5, 2009 - 6:07 am:
Many thanks to all of you for taking the time to reply.
Have finally decided to order the cashel crusader - otherwise I'll always wonder! Certainly looks good.
I've still got a functioning supermask, so if the cashel does turn out to be hotter (and the heat is unbearable here this week), I'll use the supermask for the hottest months and save the cashel for early and late summer.
Thanks again to you all.
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Member:
cheryl
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Posted on Wednesday, Aug 5, 2009 - 8:03 am:
Thanks Pat - will give it a try - I hate those little flies 
Cheryl K
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Member:
frances
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Posted on Thursday, Aug 6, 2009 - 6:02 am:
One more question: do those of you who've used both the cashel and the supermask find that sizing in the cashel seems to be larger? (I've read that somewhere.)
My mare takes "Horse" size in the supermask, but I'm wondering whether I should order "Arab/Cob" instead in the cashel?
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Thursday, Aug 6, 2009 - 7:21 am:
LL I think they do run just a tiny bit bigger. My horses did stay in the same size they were in in a Farnam. Hank takes horse size and the Farnam was a little small on him, but tolerable. The Cashel fits him better. Probably depends on your horses head, If she has a rather small horse size head the arab/cob would probably be better.
My other 2 take the arab/cob size and it is a little big on the mare. I don't believe they would fit Hank very well...but he has a big head(full of brains)
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Member:
frances
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Posted on Friday, Aug 7, 2009 - 6:18 am:
Thanks Diane. Yes, I think my mare will probably need the arab/cob size.
I now see that there is actually a measuring chart on the cashel site, and as far as I can judge things (such as where exactly "mid face" lies on a horse who is doing her utmost to eat the tape measure) it confirms that choice.
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