Ear Nets & Fly Veils

An ear net (also called a fly veil, ear bonnet or fly hood) is a crocheted or mesh headpiece that sits under the bridle to keep flies out of your horse's ears and take the edge off distracting noise. Most riders keep two: a light crochet veil for schooling and hacking, and a smarter or acoustic version for competition. This collection holds 118 ear nets across pony, cob and full sizes, starting at £4.54 for the Weatherbeeta Reflective Ear Bonnet and taking in padded, sound-dampening designs such as the LeMieux Diamante Acoustic Fly Hood at £44.95.

In a hurry?

• Cheapest way in: Weatherbeeta Reflective Ear Bonnet, £4.54, or the Rhinegold Fly Veil/Noise Muffler at £6.10.
• Best all-rounder for schooling: ARMA Calm Fly Hood, £17.10, in black, brown, navy or white.
• Noise-sensitive horse: Premier Equine Acoustic Ear Bonnet, £36.00, or LeMieux Acoustic Pro Fly Hood, £39.95.
• Competition smart: LeMieux Classic Fly Hood, £29.95, or Whitaker Fly Veil Thornton, £20.46.
• Seen on the road: Woof Wear Hi Viz Fly Veil, £24.99, or Firefoot Reflective Ear Bonnet, £6.39.
• Not sure on size? Get in touch and our team will help you match your horse.

Which type of ear net do you actually need?

What does an ear net actually do for your horse?

Two jobs, mostly. The first is fly control: midges and flies love the inside of a horse's ear, and a veil puts a physical barrier in the way so your horse isn't shaking his head every third stride. The second is sound. A close crochet weave takes a little of the sharpness off ambient noise, and a padded acoustic hood does considerably more of it — useful if your horse tenses at clipping machines, tannoys or a busy warm-up ring.

Do ear nets calm a nervous horse?

They can help, but they are not a fix on their own. Reducing noise removes one input from a horse that is already overloaded, which is why so many riders swear by an acoustic bonnet at shows. If your horse is genuinely anxious, or head-shakes persistently, treat that as a training and veterinary question first — speak to your vet before assuming kit will solve it.

What about headshaking?

Headshaking has several possible causes, some of them medical. A fly veil supports management by keeping insects away from the ears and face, and some riders find a nose net helps too, but it does not treat the underlying condition. Get your horse assessed by a vet before you go down the equipment route.

How should an ear net fit?

The browband cord should sit snugly along your bridle's browband without dragging it down, and the ear pockets should stand up around the ear without pinching the base or flopping over the eye. If the ears crush forward, the bonnet is too small; if the whole thing slides down the face, it is too big or the cord has stretched.

Which size do I choose?

Brands split sizing two ways. Some use Pony / Cob / Full — Rhinegold, Shires, Gallop, Hy Equestrian and Whitaker all work this way. Others use Small / Medium / Large / X-Large, including Woof Wear, LeMieux and Premier Equine. As a rough guide, Pony or Small suits natives and smaller ponies, Cob or Medium suits most cobs and lighter horses, and Full or Large suits a typical 16hh riding horse, with X-Large for warmbloods and bigger heads. If your horse is between sizes, get in touch and our team will help.

Can I use ear plugs with a fly veil?

Yes — that is the usual way to use them. Plugs like the Cashel Equine Ear Plugs (£11.53) or Supreme Products Fleece Earplugs (£8.08) sit inside the ear and the bonnet holds them in place so they cannot be shaken out mid-ride. Always check your discipline's rules before competing in them.

Are ear nets allowed in competition?

In most UK affiliated disciplines a plain, close-fitting ear bonnet is permitted, and dressage and showjumping riders use them routinely. Rules do vary between British Dressage, British Showjumping, British Eventing and individual showing societies, and they change — particularly around ear plugs, sound-dampening padding and heavy decoration. Always check the current rulebook for your class before the day.

How do you wash a fly veil?

Most crochet and mesh veils go in a wash bag on a cool gentle cycle, or a quick hand wash in mild detergent, then air dry away from direct heat. Avoid the tumble dryer — acrylic yarn shrinks and elastic cords lose their spring. Padded acoustic hoods are usually hand wash only, so check the label. Keeping a spare in the lorry means you are never stuck with a wet one before a class.

What do the brands do differently?

LeMieux is the go-to for a polished competition look, with the Classic Fly Hood at £29.95 and the Loire at £34.95. Premier Equine focuses on fit and sound control — the Sport Ear Bonnet is £30.00 and the Acoustic version £36.00. Woof Wear covers everyday and hi-vis, with the Vision Fly Veil at £21.99 and the Hi Viz at £24.99. Rhinegold, Weatherbeeta, Shires, Hy Equestrian and Gallop Equestrian handle the budget and everyday end, mostly between £4.54 and £13.71. Horseware's Rambo Protector Hood (£51.95) is the outlier: a full protective hood rather than a bridle bonnet.

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Last reviewed 2026-07-26 by the Just Horse Riders team.