Rambo turnout - REALLY GOOD DEAL

[shekaberry]

I have to concur with Cat, Jaime and Jenny. In this climate, I would at least give them a waterproof sheet. Since Fred is an older gentleman, moving to a much cooler climate, I would be inclined to blanket him.

I know horses in the wild don't wear blankets, but they also don't usually live into their late teens and 20's either. It can be harder for the older guys to stay warm. They just don't run around like them young 'uns do.

[jodycat]

Aug 18, 2008 16:57:41 GMT -5 shekaberry said:

I have to concur with Cat, Jaime and Jenny. In this climate, I would at least give them a waterproof sheet. Since Fred is an older gentleman, moving to a much cooler climate, I would be inclined to blanket him.

I know horses in the wild don't wear blankets, but they also don't usually live into their late teens and 20's either. It can be harder for the older guys to stay warm. They just don't run around like them young 'uns do.

Thanks for all the input. Nice to know my instincts are coming from the right place and not from a need to overly baby sweet old Fred. ;D

[cutiepiepmu]

Ok - health reasons aside(rain rot, weight loss, ect.) Here is my policy. I blanket the SNOT out of my horses lol. Even in summer - at night if they are inside they get a super thin little nylon sheet. It keeps the ickys off of them and keeps them free of bug bites.

Each of my horses has a WIDE variety of blankets - here is my basic thought. - I also wash my blankets weekly witout soap in my washer for turnouts, and daily for fleece or stable blankets.

Under 20 degrees - outside = fleece blanket liner along with heavy turnout waterproof blanket for my old guy and midweight for my drafts(they get hotter)

Inside = Fleece blanket liner and heavy stable blanket - just the stable blanket for my drafties.

20-40 Degrees - outside = Midweight waterproof turnout blanket for all

Inside - Heavy stable blanket for my old horse, mid weight stable blanket for everyone else

40-50 degrees - If dry - Turnout waterproof sheet - if Rain, Turnout sheet with neck attachment.
Inside = Fleece sheet with nylon sheet over for drafties - Mid weight stable blanket for old man.

50-65 - Outside - if dry - nothing - If raining, turnout sheet
Inside - Stable sheets for all with my old man getting a lightly linned sheet.

65+ - outside - nothing
Inside - Nylon sheet

80+ = nothing or flysheet.


I like to have at least 4 turnout blankets per horse - 2 mid weight, 1 sheet, 1 heavy weight. I also like to have at least 2 fleece sheets, 1 cotton sheet, 1-2 nylon sheets, and a sweat/scrim for trailering and cooling down.

I know I am not the norm for most - But - I have seen a HUGE improvement in skin quality, hair quality and overall health by doing the blankets. Also - I know that on chilly days - a warm fleece pajamas set makes me feel good, and I can see the same for my horses. They are spoiled - no doubt. If it clouds up - they are banging on teh gate wanting in lol....

i also know - that even at 50 degrees - if you stand out in the rain and get soaked, you start to shiver. where - if you are in 50 degrees dry - you are fine

Sara

[leahlady]

Sara - you are exactly like me. I hate letting someone care for Lady in any time other than summer - I am so neurotic about her blanketing! I have been known to leave class and drive to switch her coat if the weather changes!

Lady has 15 + blankets, several outfits for every temperature and weather combination She is blanketed October-April day and night, and usually just at night during September and May. And whenever it rains, she has several choices of light sheet for that.

E.T.A. The best thing to do if you can't count on someone changing blankets is to keep the horse in the lightest weight, most breathable option possible. Our weather here is frustrating because the temps/weather can change really fast, and when the sun comes out after an icky rainy morning, your horse will be miserable under a too-heavy, not-breathable-enough blanket. If he comes in at night, he will be protected and not need as much of a blanket. A really good, BREATHABLE sheet is the best - I recommend the Pessoa Turnout sheet (these have a fabric that is super breathable, different than the other waterproof fabrics), a Rambo, or my all time favorite that is now sadly discontinued, the Gore-tex Horses-in-Black turnout. Personally I am not a fan of Weatherbeeta. After working turn-out, turn-in at several barns, the most uncomfortable horses were always wearing Weatherbeetas. They don't breathe well compared to Rambos, HIB's, Bucas, etc. (Basically, anything that costs more will be higher quality ... but what you are looking for is waterproof fabric that is not just treated with a plastic coating, but actually chemically bonded to a SEPARATE hydrophyllic layer. Aquatrans, Gore-tex, and Sympatex are all examples - some are actually a completely separate piece of fabric behind the outermost layer)

[cutiepiepmu]

LOL - I agree about blankets. I can say - one of my absolute FAVORITE blankets is the Shires blankets. You can find these on ebay frequently. They fit small compared to some - so if in question - order up a size. I have to say that I actually LIKE the weatherbeeta blankets - but, mainly because I can find sizes large enough to fit my big kids(well, part of the big kids) BUT - i do NOT like their freestyle design. I like the high neck original fit blankets. and I LOVE LOVE LOVE the Jasper HIGH NECK stable blanket(better than the original) the high neck sits higher like a warmblood cut - so fits the thick chested horses well. I like rambo blankets alot - but they didn't hold up any better than my weatherbeeta for my big kids(they are HELL on blankets) and for the price, I couldn't justify it. I like Bucas sheets alot - the fleece, wool and stable sheets are great.

ANd - I agree - the most versitle piece of clothing for your horse is a very good - lightly lined, breathable waterproof sheet. These are great. you can put a blanket liner under it, or if you size it up a size you can even put a full stable blanket under if you needed to.

when we had our serious cold snap last winter with temps below zero - all my horses wore their fleece blanket liners, stable blankets and then I smacked a mid-weight turnout over it for the cold cold nights.


Also - for my old guy who is arthritic - I bought several pairs of Whinny Warmers. They are like well fitting leg warmers for horses . VERY cool.

On chilly nights, I always throw the fleece blanekts in the dryer with some downy dryer sheets(keeps static down and smells good!) and then run the blankets out while they are still warm. Horses love it. Especially my old guy who will bury his head in it while it is warm lol.

So - spoiled isn't bad

Sara

[jodycat]

Aug 21, 2008 0:40:07 GMT -5 leahlady said:

E.T.A. The best thing to do if you can't count on someone changing blankets is to keep the horse in the lightest weight, most breathable option possible. Our weather here is frustrating because the temps/weather can change really fast, and when the sun comes out after an icky rainy morning, your horse will be miserable under a too-heavy, not-breathable-enough blanket. If he comes in at night, he will be protected and not need as much of a blanket. A really good, BREATHABLE sheet is the best - I recommend the Pessoa Turnout sheet (these have a fabric that is super breathable, different than the other waterproof fabrics), a Rambo, or my all time favorite that is now sadly discontinued, the Gore-tex Horses-in-Black turnout. Personally I am not a fan of Weatherbeeta. After working turn-out, turn-in at several barns, the most uncomfortable horses were always wearing Weatherbeetas. They don't breathe well compared to Rambos, HIB's, Bucas, etc. (Basically, anything that costs more will be higher quality ... but what you are looking for is waterproof fabric that is not just treated with a plastic coating, but actually chemically bonded to a SEPARATE hydrophyllic layer. Aquatrans, Gore-tex, and Sympatex are all examples - some are actually a completely separate piece of fabric behind the outermost layer)

Thanks, Leah, very much! This is great information, info about the breathable waterproof sheets and even brand names. This will really help me with my shopping for Fred! ;D

[leahlady]

No problem The Pessoa really is priced well compared to the others: www.doversaddlery.com/product.asp?pn=X1-24379&bhcd2=1219327005

It is also 1800 denier (there isn't anything on the market that is higher, I don't think) and the waterproofing is somehow woven into the fabric, allowing it to be super waterproof and very breathable. If you can get over the giant "P" on the side, it is worth it!

Good luck, how fun!! I love shopping for horse clothes!!!!

Just for fun, here is a blanket I want! www.doversaddlery.com/product.asp?pn=X1-24528
This is the absolute best rain suit, EVER!! www.doversaddlery.com/rambo-supreme-medium-turnout-horse-blanket/p/X1-24307/cn/64/

**And if I had to own ONE horse blanket, it would be the "Smartex Power Turnout Light": www.bucas.com/index.php/products/C16/
This is the best blanket Lady owns. She has had it 6 years... only one rip that has been repaired, still totally waterproof. The lining on this blanket is the magic part - it truly does instantly wick away sweat. I will never forget getting to the barn one afternoon - the sun had come out and it was at least 60. Lady's pasturemate had been brought in early - and of course, Lady was completely flipping out, wearing the coat in the sun. I was furious that her coat had been left on.... BUT ... she was COMPLETELY DRY under the Bucas. She had obviously been completely soaked with sweat (her fur was all matted down) but by the time I got to the barn to remove the coat... she was totally dry under it! It had been no more than 1/2 hour since she had been brought inside from the pasture. Check out the temp. range on this one, too - I am neurotic and use a heavy for anything under 25, but this coat is definitely enough to 30 here. I'm not sure why Bucas is not more popular here.... they are pretty spendy and the silver makes them certifiable space suits... but this is an absolutely AWESOME blanket. If you are going to get one - they run a little large. (Same as Rambo - Lady wears 75 instead of her usual 78)

As you can tell, blanketing is one of my most favorite subjects.

Here is another blanket I LOVE:
www.doversaddlery.com/baker-turnout-horse-blanket/p/X1-24513/cn/64/
Lady has the heavy version of this (400g!) and it is the best heavy coat ever! So poofy and warm. It doesn't rub or shift at all, and is very lightweight. Fits well and super warm, this is the absolute best for when it is very cold!

ETA: Spoiled is GOOD. ;D

[ecaitlynn]

Wow. Thank you for all this information on blankets!! I'm getting a real education. I've noted all the recommended blankets and I am going to check them all out.

Beth Thompson

[ecaitlynn]

Hey, Sarah -- do you want to adopt another horse! You seem like a very good horse Mama!!

Beth Thompson.

[oneidea]

I used to covet the HIB sheets and blankets. I almost cried when they closed their business this year. *sob*

[leahlady]

I think I *did* cry. I bought an extra sheet.... that is still in the bag! I'm saving it for the horse I get in the future!

[jessiegirl1981]

I have rain sheets for all my horses but I really need to get something warmer for my older tb. With the NW weather should I buy a med weight or a heavy weight? She has cover and a stall at night. If she can help it she doesnt step foot in the rain

[oneidea]

I really like a medium wt. (~200g) turnout for most of the weather we get here... I layer it with a fleece cooler when it gets really cold.

I do have a heavy wt. stall blanket (300g+) for cold nights, but I probably use it for less than a week out of the year...

[cutiepiepmu]

I wish I could handle another. Would love to have a NORMAL size, finished riding horse(my kids are drafts). BUt - with hay the way it is and the fact that we have been working non-stop to renovate our pastures I don't think my other half would be too thrilled about a new addition lol. I love my kids(don't have an human kids!)

But- good quality waterproof blankets are the BEST . and - if you haven't tried the shires blankets. The Typhoon turnouts are OUTSTANDING. The belly straps go through the blanket and they are tough as nails. My QH's blanket is 6 years old as well - only 2 small rips and has been washed weekly. Still waterproof, still solid, and still fits him like a charm

Sara

[trillium]

I do not blanket my horses either. Although I do have a couple of them in case I would ever need one. The only time I have ever blanketed is for a horse with an illness. My horses have access to shelter at all times though. I do wonder why they do not come in out of the rain sometimes, but figure they know what they are doing. I have never had rain rot on any of my horses. I have had horses for 40+ years.

Leah and cutiepie, you guys must have a lot more time on your hands than I do! No kids I bet? LOL
My only exception may be Jazzy. If she has not put on enough fat for the winter, I may blanket her so her feed is not used up keeping her warm.