With debris, ash, dirt and smoke filling the air in Southern California from the firestorm, Kensington Protective Products Inc., based out of Pomona, saw an opportunity to help relieve some of the stress and discomfort of evacuated horses.
The Kensington Fly Masks not only defend from biting insects, but are made of tightly woven mesh that keeps dirt, debris and other foreign objects out of the eyes. They are 73 percent UV protective and are specially formulated to be fire retardant and promote healing. Kensington’s protective sheets are made of the same material but designed to massage the coat, bringing out natural oils that help heal wounds. Kensington hoped that this would provide comfort and help these horses in their temporary housing.



Vice President Anthony Gatto says, “The products that were brought to these suffering areas are products that we felt were vital to these displaced animals. Eye protection and wound healing are extremely important in the environment and our sheet and masks are the best products for this. Our customers have been there for us, this is just one way we can try to be there for them.”
The Kensington Protective Products staff visited the Oaks Equestrian Center in San Juan Capistrano and the Orange County Fairgrounds, where they placed approximately 700 masks on the horses at these evacuation centers alone, and left additional masks and sheets for any other horses that may be arriving. Word spread to the Cota De Caza Evacuation Center in South Orange County where additional masks were requested and sent from the Orange County Fairgrounds.
The San Diego equestrian community was hit the hardest. Kensington also donated masks to the Del Mar Horse Park evacuation center. There were many of Kensington’s local retailers that donated very generously as well. American Horse Products in San Juan Capistrano donated lead ropes, feed buckets and much needed supplies to the Oaks facilities and Mary’s Tack and Feed in Del Mar donated lead ropes and fly masks to the San Diego Department of Animal Health and The Humane Society, who also assisted with the effort.
This press release was provided by Kensington Protective Products.