What Are The Best Horse Ear Plugs On The Market?

Ear plugs for horses? What on earth could be the point of these? It’s not as if your horse is likely to be snuggled up in a stable with a snoring companion; nor are they likely to be spending a lot of time at loud rock concerts. But ear plugs definitely have a use, especially for extra spooky horses who don’t like loud noises.

Imagine the carnage on Bonfire Night, if your horse startles easily and lives close to a place where there will be lots of fireworks! Ear plugs can solve this problem. If your horse goes wild in the indoor arena when it’s raining, you may not know what is bothering him – ever thought that it might be the sound of the rain on the roof? Ear plugs can muffle the noise and keep your horse from his natural “flight” instinct.

Best Horse Ear Plugs Reviews

If you have a sensitive horse who doesn’t like loud noises, ear plugs can be a real life saver. But where do you get them, and what are the best ones to get? To help your decision we have reviewed three of the best:

Image	Ear Plugs	Price
	TOP PICK: Pomms Horse Ear Plugs Small, light ear plugs do exactly what they’re meant to.	CHECK PRICE
	Cashel Ear Plugs With String For Large Horse A great pair of ear plugs for the larger horse.	CHECK PRICE
	ECP Sheepskin Horse Earplug A well made pair of ear plugs for sensitive ears.	CHECK PRICE

1. Equine Healthcare International Pomms Ear Plugs Review

These are simple ear plugs, just what you need to muffle environmental noise and help keep your horse calm and concentrating. They are made of foam so will expand or contract to fit their particular slot, meaning they can be used in a variety of different sized ears.

Pros

• Foam construction means they don’t fall out easily – There’s nothing worse than having an ear plug fall out at an inopportune moment and your horse suddenly going wild at the unexpected noise!
• Perfect for big shows – If you are competing on your spooky horse you will need to find a way to block the noise from the spectators and the other horses, and these ear plugs are ideal.
• They come with their own storage – You won’t have to worry about losing these in the bottom of the tack box as they are supplied with a handy plastic tube to keep them safe.
• Light and unobtrusive – These little plugs are barely visible, so no one but you would know your horse is wearing them. They are also so light that your horse will barely know either!

Cons

• They are relatively easy to lose – Because they are not attached to a cord, it can be easy to drop one if your horse shakes his head.

Recommendation

These small, light ear plugs do exactly what they’re meant to, and are an inexpensive solution to your horse turning into a cowboy rodeo pony every time he hears a loud noise.

CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON

2. Cashel Ear Plugs With String For Large Horse Review

These moulded foam ear plugs are specially designed to be narrower at the end to be inserted, which makes putting them in easier. Made for the larger horse, they will prevent loud and startling noises spooking your horse (which is ideal, because the last thing you want when on board a 17hh hunter is to have him spook!)

Pros

• Plugs are attached to a string – This makes it easier to remove them, and also reduces the chance of losing one if your horse shakes his head.
• Easy to clean – Simply wash with soapy water and dry with a towel, to remove any residues of ear gunk (nice!)
• Perfect for muffling noise at shows, shoots and others – Even if you are not planning to go anywhere but your horse goes through the roof at the noise of the clippers, these will help enormously.
• Easy to insert – Having a narrower end to fit into the ear canal makes putting the ear plugs in fantastically easy, quick and convenient – even for horses that don’t like to be messed with.

Cons

• Fits larger horses – If you are looking for ear plugs for your Shetland or miniature pony you would be better off looking elsewhere!

Recommendation

These are a great pair of ear plugs for the larger horse. They will prevent spooking caused by loud noises, and they are easy to put in and take out. What more do you need in a pair of ear plugs?

CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON

3. ECP Sheepskin Horse Earplug Review

These fantastically soft ear plugs will be super comfortable in your horse’s ear, as well as making him more comfortable because he can’t hear scary noises. They are easy to use and easy to clean, and are a must-have addition to your spooky horse’s tack box.

Pros

• 100% Australian Merino sheepskin construction – This not only makes them soft and comfortable for your horse, they will also be fantastically durable and long-lasting.
• Comes with a tiny price tag – Unlike most horse equipment, these ear plugs will not require a serious look at your finances!
• Can be machine washed – This adds to the convenience of these ear plugs. Just make sure you use a cold cycle or a specific wool wash, and air dry somewhere out of the direct sunlight.
• Prevents background noise to keep your horse calm – Whether you need them for fireworks, shooting, clippers or show noise, these ear plugs will work wonders at keeping your horse calm.

Cons

• May not add to the look for showing – Some users state that these are not ideal for the smartest of equine events as they can make the ears look hairy!

Recommendation

A high quality, well made pair of ear plugs to help muffle loud noises and keep your sensitive horse calm and focused on the job at hand; you won’t regret buying these.

CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are horse earplugs used for?

Much like blinders, horse earplugs are intended to block out distracting and frightening input. A rider may choose to fit his or her horse with earplugs to participate in an event such as a parade or a horse show.

Additionally, horse earplugs are routinely used in harness racing as explained in this video.

2. How do you train a horse to accept earplugs?

It’s a good idea to introduce earplugs during a grooming session. When you’re wiping your horse’s face with a clean cloth, alternate by wiping his face with earplugs and showing them to him. Allow him to smell them and look at them and become used to them.

When you brush your horse’s ears with a soft brush, follow-up by brushing with the earplugs and make sure that the horse knows that that’s what you’re doing.

Gently insert the earplugs and leave them in for about five seconds before gently removing them. Do this several times so that your horse can become used to the sensation.

Be patient! You may need to repeat this process several times before your horse becomes entirely accustomed to it.

3. How do you put horse earplugs in?

To insert the earplugs into your horse’s ears, compress them between your fingers to make them small and then press them in firmly. You want them to go in far enough that when they expand they can’t be easily shaken out.

On the other hand, you don’t want them to be inserted so deeply that it will be difficult to get them out.

Take your time figuring out exactly the right placement for the type of earplugs and the horse that you have.

4. What do horse earplugs look like?

There are several different styles of earplugs. Some are foam balls that look like typical, soft throw toys. These may be painted brown or black so that they blend in with the color of your horse.

There are also horse earplugs made of soft, fluffy material that look like small pom-poms. Horse earplugs used for harness racing are usually cylinders of foam material.

5. Are horse earplugs entirely necessary?

If you have a horse who tends to be skittish or if you are riding in a very distracting and potentially frightening area, earplugs may be a very good idea. It’s important to understand whether earplugs are allowed in your discipline.

For example, many hunters always wear earplugs, but horses participating in dressage are not allowed to use them.

6. What can you do if your horse just won’t wear earplugs?

Some fly bonnets have extra padding around the ears that is intended to muffle sounds. These bonnets cover the ears entirely without having any material inserted into the ear canal. In some competitive instances in which earplugs are not allowed, sound muffling ear bonnets are allowed.

7. What’s the right way to use horse earplugs?

Earplugs can be very helpful if you are training a new skill and want to reduce distractions. For general riding, it’s not a good idea to use earplugs all the time. Think of them as a training aid rather than a crutch.

Earplugs can also be helpful during clipping, especially when trimming in and around the ears. They reduce the noise of the clipper and help prevent loose hairs from falling into your horse’s ears.

8. Can horses hear at all when they’re wearing earplugs?

Some types of earplugs are advertised as allowing for normal hearing but muffling loud, startling noises. You’ll really need to observe your own horse carefully to determine whether or not he or she can hear while wearing earplugs.

9. Do you always have to use horse earplugs?

Once your horse has learned how to use earplugs, you don’t have to use them all the time. They make a good training aid, and can be helpful when you want to ride on days and in areas where there may be a lot of distracting or frightening noises.

10. How do you make horse ear plugs?

For DIY horse earplugs, you’ll need a couple of soft foam balls. They should be a little bit larger than a walnut. You’ll also need some strong string.

Begin by poking holes in each of the balls so that you can put the string through each ball. You should end up with a long string that has a ball on each end.

Tie knots in the ends large enough to prevent the balls from falling off.

The balls will fit inside your horses ear’s with the keeper string running over the top of his head. When you’re ready to remove the balls, simply pull the string.

11. What are some common names for horse earplugs?

You may sometimes hear horse earplugs referred to as “no-hear-ums” or “pom-poms”. They are typically made of foam or of fluffy materials.

Conclusion

Horses are prey animals, so to them anything can be terrifying and can trigger the flight response. Removing some of the things that can trigger your horse to do this, such as loud unexpected noises, can really reduce their stress levels – and yours at the same time! Ear plugs can make a big difference to your horse’s demeanour out and about, in a horse competition or show (if it’s allowed), or even in the yard surrounded by large machinery, other animals or the dreaded clippers.

If you are looking for something that is small, light, well made and will do the job, Pomms Horse Ear Plugs is the right solution for you. For something that is more suitable for larger horses and is easy to manipulate, try Cashel Ear Plugs With String. And if your horse’s ears are more sensitive, you may find ECP Sheepskin Horse Earplug very useful.