It has become fashionable, particularly in competition, for riders to put variably called ear covers (earmuffs, an ear bonnet, ear veils, acoustic ears, a soundless ear bonnet, an acoustic fly hood) on their horses’ heads. The specification of different ear covers varies considerably—as does their price.

The question that arises is to what extent do they remove or reduce sound?

Manufacturers’ Claims

The marketing claims for these acoustic covers include “decrease sharp sounds and improve your horse’s relaxation and concentration with this peak-performance acoustic hood”; “When the horse’s hearing is reduced they depend more on the rider for direction in terms of touch and listening to other aids”; “Improves focus, reduces fatigue and enhances energy.”

What Does Soundproofing Mean?

To what extent are these claims justified, and are there any downsides to using so-called acoustic ears? 

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, soundproofing means preventing, or constructed of material that prevents, the passage of sound.

Do any ear covers obliterate all sound? Have the materials been tested? Is sound reduction influenced by the frequency of sound, bearing mind that horses can hear ultrasonic sounds that are beyond the hearing range of people? What is meant by “sharp” noise or sound? Is there any evidence, other than anecdotal reports from riders, that ridden horse behaviour is influenced using “acoustic ears”?

Ear Covers, Horse Comfort, and Bridle Stability

Horses’ heads vary hugely in size and shape. Most acoustic covers are available in several sizes, such as pony, cob, and horse. But, this does not consider the variable distance between the ears in horses of similar overall size.

User surveys have indicated the use of ear covers might result in bridle instability, even to the extent that if a horse vigorously shakes their head, both the ear covers and the bridle can come off.

Dressage stewards have commented that some horses have hot, sweaty ears under ear covers.

If a bridle fits correctly, the addition of ear covers under the head piece and browband might induce tightness. Seams or piping on the ear covers might create pressure points.

Research on Ear Covers

Study design: A recent study investigated if horses reacted to different sounds and whether there was any difference if horses were wearing noise-reducing ear covers1.

Eighteen horses, 15 of which had been exposed multiple times to competition environments, were presented with five sounds. The sounds were the whinny of an unknown horse, applause (a crowd clapping and cheering), a horse trotting on a firm surface, music (We Are the Champions, by Queen), and food (nuts/pellets being scooped into a rubber feed bowl).

The horses were standing in a stable, held by an experienced and familiar handler, and facing the back wall to minimize visual stimuli. The horses’ behaviours were assessed and heart rates were measured, comparing with and without ear covers.

The ear covers comprised a cotton mesh headpiece and three layers of material covering the ears (an inner and outer layer of cotton and a middle layer of “technical soundproof material”). The ear covers are commercially available for use in competition and are marketed to reduce response to noise (Gerald Soundless Ears, Equiline, Veneto, Italy).

All horses were used to wearing ear covers either when ridden or in the field. The ear covers were fitted on the horse so that the entire ear was covered by the soundproofing section of material, and an elastic strap under the horse’s mandible was used to secure the ear covers throughout the testing.

Responses to Sounds Compared With Baseline

Without ear covers, all sounds provoked a significant increase in peak heart rate compared with the resting heart rate. The peak heart rate for the sound of a trot was higher than for other sounds. The average heart rate increased for trotting, feed, and whinny.

These results indicated that horses could discriminate among sounds. There was a variety of behavioural responses to the different sounds.

The Effects of Ear Covers

Comparing without and with ear covers for all sounds considered together, the average heart was lower with ear covers. However, there was only a significant difference in the average heart rate for food, and not for the other sounds.

There was an overall difference between ear covers and no ear covers for the presence of behavioural responses for all sounds together, with fewer behaviours elicited when wearing ear covers.

The total frequency of behaviours for ear covers and no ear covers was significantly different for trotting, applause, and feed. No ear covers produced more behavioural responses for each of these sounds.

Interpretation of the Results

There was an overall difference in both physiological and behavioural responses with and without ear covers. There was a reduction in horse responsiveness when wearing ear covers. However, responses varied among the sounds presented.

This implies a reduced perception of sounds with varying levels of effectiveness.

However, we cannot conclude that sound was necessarily reduced. It is possible that the acoustic ears create ‘white noise’ by movement against the ears. Note that the results apply only to the brand of ear covers tested.

We could speculate that based on these results wearing ear covers could potentially reduce stress or improve the focus and attention of a horse on its rider in a training, competition, or prize-giving environment. However, the environmental stimuli in the real world are much broader than those in the test environment.

We must also recognize that not all acoustic ears are the same with respect to their construction. Not all ear covers include proven sound attenuating material. Moreover, the study did not include any ultrasonic sounds that horses can hear but people do not.

Are Claims Valid?

Is there any evidence to support the thesis that reduction of hearing will make a horse more reliant on a rider’s cues?

Remember that horses are prey animals. It is important for horses to be aware of their environment so that they can react appropriately. If a horse can hear a noise, then they can identify and localise a real threat.

However, if ear covers reduce the volume or distort the sound and a horse cannot figure out where the sound is coming from, might this provoke anxiety?

The research did not investigate the volume of sounds, so we do not know if a horse would react differently to the same sound at different volumes.

The purpose of this commentary is not to discount the potential value of ear covers, but to make riders aware that manufacturers’ claims are not necessarily validated.

It is easy to follow fashion. But, if bridle fit and thermoregulation—thus horses’ comfort—is compromised, do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?

See bonus footage from Horses and the Science of Harmony on acoustic ear covers in the video below.

References

1. Equine behavioural and physiological responses to auditory stimuli in the presence and absence of noise-damping ear covers. Hole, C., Murray, R., Marlin, D., Freeman, P. Animals 2023, 13, 1574.    https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13091574

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  • Dr. Sue Dyson

    Sue Dyson, MA, VetMB, PhD, initially worked in the United States after graduating veterinary school, then returned to England and ran a clinical referral service for 37 years. Dyson is active in clinical research and has published more than 450 scientific papers related to lameness, ridden horse behaviour, and diagnostic imaging. Dyson also is a rider and has produced horses to top national level in eventing and show jumping. Dyson is a British Horse Society Instructor (Teaching and Stable Management).

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