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My mare is highly reactive to sounds - even if she's heard these noises all day long, when we ride she is bothered and distracted.

Has anyone tried some of the fly type bonnets with neoprene ears. I don't want to cut off all noise, but want to really reduce the level of sound for her.

If you used them, do the horses adjust easily to wearing it?

Thanks

I haven't tried one but want to. My mare is also very sensitive to sound. Especially when it is windy. However, I am grounded for possibly a long ime so I am not going to invest in one yet. I have read good things about them.

Do let us know how it works if you spring for one.

Susan

I tried to try the Shockemole one, but the ears were too short for my rather aurally well-endowed horse. I haven't tried any of the others but wouldn't mid giving one a try if I could find one at a reasonable price in "huge."

In the mean time, we ride daily in an HKM standard bonnet with the regular cotton ears, and I can tell you even that makes a huge difference. It doesn't deaden everything, but enough that I'm still alive with the snow crashing off the arena roof and the neighbors building a new barn...

Mountaineeer - Maybe before I invest $100 on one - I should try one of my cotton ones that my retiree use to wear for fly protection....She may totally object to something on her head/ears. She's a pistol! LOL

I'm just tired of her acting goofy about noises that she's heard a thousand times...Get over it already! lol

Trying to get her on the aids when she's super distracted is tough, especially when noises aren't expected.

I know this is an older thread, but wanted to add that a few friends swear by the Shockemole bonnets - they made a big difference in at least three horses I know.

Thanks Lorilu - I appreciate your input. I think I'll cave and buy the Schockemole bonnet .