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Post by lbanimals on Oct 21, 2008 20:45:06 GMT -5
The temperature is supposed to drop this weekend. down to upper 30's at night....and mid 40's to 50's and RAINING during the day. She is only two weeks out of being stalled at night and doesn't have much of a fuzzy coat. So I need to get Ms Foxy reacquainted with her blanket. She has not worn a blanket in over a year (almost two!) and even then only wore one in her stall at night. She used to be easily saddled and yet totally exploded last time I saddled her so I am cautious/paranoid about the blanketing now as well..... Anything in particular I should do? I have a bunch of different blankets but plan on using the same one she has worn dozens of times as it should be fitted relatively correctly and hopefully "familiar". Any ideas on how best to do this? Do most horses not care much about blanketing? The first time i blanketed her I lunged her with it on briefly so she could get used to the flapping but she always stayed stalled with it on, so no running or anything. Should I put it on her (after a brief desensitizing time) and stick her in the little pen for a bit? Am I being paranoid? Here she was a couple years ago all nice and toasty one morning.
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Post by huskiesnhorses on Oct 21, 2008 21:00:53 GMT -5
without knowing your baby at all ...........I will say this.. Sometimes you need to take a deep breath or two and relax before you even walk into the barn. Cat has said many many times that since horses are prey animals, if you are freaking, you get them to freaking because you must have spotted something they didn't. Same with blanketing - the less big deal you make about it and do it non-chalantly as if there has never been a break in the routine of using it, the better it will probably go. If you treat the blanket like it is something that will eat her, it will eat her - she will get that loud and clear. Play it by ear but relax, relax, relax. We blanketed these wild and wooly rescues and they did NOT like it a bit but wear them they would and they did fine.
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shekaberry
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Post by shekaberry on Oct 21, 2008 21:01:03 GMT -5
Its been my experience that the initial placement of the blanket is the scariest part for the horse. If you fold it in half, hind end over, and slowly slip it over her back and then fold it over her rump; she'll probably be fine. Do it in her stall with her halter on and move slowly, I doubt you'll have problems!
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Post by jaybird on Oct 21, 2008 21:42:23 GMT -5
very good advice from both Redmond and Shekaberry. I'll just add that I think your horse is gorgeous!
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Post by winterlakesfarm on Oct 21, 2008 23:01:34 GMT -5
yep- act like it is a normal thing and they should be yawning while you do it!
I have blanketed many a creature here that I am pretty darn sure had never seen a blanket before(most by myself in the dark LOL).....Sarge, Dally, Serenity, Connor(for sure), Sanka all had probably never worn a blanket.......always halter if there is a possibility of a reaction, walk up, offer a treat, sling it over them if they move act bored and follow. Front straps first, then belly, and last leg straps. Connor was sure we were strapping a cougar to him but he was reasonable because we acted like this was no big deal and did not even acknowledge his apprehension. For god's sake do not go to saying "its okay, everything is okay, you're alright" etc......you are just playing into fears. Expect them to stand and behave and they will within reason. They truly get their confidence level from the living things around them. If you act like they might freak out- they start looking for whatever obviously has you spooked. If she has worn a blanket before she will be "HO-humm are you done yet? Where is my hay?"
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Juliane
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Post by Juliane on Oct 22, 2008 9:45:42 GMT -5
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Post by lbanimals on Oct 22, 2008 20:11:00 GMT -5
Thanks everyone! I ended up coming home today and haltered her up, brought the blanket out slapped it on her. Okay, well, maybe not exactly like that....I flopped it onto her folded over and slid it around and flapped it up and down and pulled over and off her butt and up onto her neck and over her face (she tried to bite it then ) then put it on except for the straps, gave her a few treats and had her walk a few steps and then ended our playdate. I have the blanket on the back deck railing and will put it on her in a little bit......she can wear it tonight, I will take it off in the morning and then put it on tomorrow night and leave it on as it is supposed to be BRRRCOLD and rainy starting Friday and going through Saturday. Thanks again for all the info. Hopefully Foxy will be as mellow wearing it for real as she was this time. She really has worn it dozens and dozens of times but it has been a while....and I'm paranoid! This is just a simple rainsheet but I have a thicker one as well, along with one that has actual fill......and a nice jersey underblanket....and probably a few more (not to mention all the ones I might ACCIDENTLY purchase online in the next few days) I can use underneath as another layer. Last winter was "mild"....but it was below 10 degrees here and there and often raining in the upper 30's. This winter is supposed to be severe. GREAT. I am going to be prepared, ha ha ha. 12 blankets for one horse, can't beat that ;D I hear we haven't had a blizzard in about 10 years.....bet we're due this year.
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shekaberry
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Post by shekaberry on Oct 22, 2008 21:49:18 GMT -5
So, no big deal then Anything over their eyes is scary, so I understand her trying to bite it! Hopefully blanket wearing will be like riding a bicycle, you never forget.
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Post by lbanimals on Oct 22, 2008 22:15:17 GMT -5
She wasn't being scared or mean trying to bite it, just being obnoxious. Like how when I used to let her sniff the saddle she would sniff sniff sniff BITE the cantel....and my feet in the stirrups, crank her head around sniff sniff sniff NIBBLE.
I just went out and applied carrots liberally while putting her blanket on. Man, she must have gotten fat as it barely fits.......to me she looks thinner than she used to be! Maybe more muscle? who knows. This is a 75 and I have a 76 black one....slightly different cut and fits slightly larger when I tried it on her when I bought, and slightly heavier duty. I will have to switch to that one soon. I had to let the straps out a bit on this one, ;D
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Post by lbanimals on Oct 24, 2008 19:53:03 GMT -5
Ms Foxy spent the day in her new blanket.....which doesn't fit any better than the last. THe last one was about the right length head to tail but too short down her body...This one is slightly too short head to tail and too long down her body. Oy vey. It is also way too big in the neck and sags badly....her shoulders and withers were all soaked when I got home. I haltered her and brought her into the shed to take it off to check underneath and she was shivering within a moment or two of removing it. Because she was mostly dry and obviously warmer, I put it back on and readjusted the neck a bit to make it smaller..... It is in the upper 40's now and raining. The neighbor horse and donkey were jealous! Here they were standing in the rain looking cold while watching Ms Prissy Pants grazing in my yard all nice and cozy (also, you can see how close they are, so she is not "alone" technically) Any turnouts (reasonably priced) that you would recommend to fit better? This black one is a 76, the green one was a 75. I would have to remeasure to see what she is now.....should be the same, she was always taped at 75ish before. I once bought a 78 that hung off her butt so far it was unwearable.....she is a 15.1 mare, always tapes between 950-1050. So not really all that big considering.
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Post by hooti4me on Oct 24, 2008 21:11:13 GMT -5
I noticed in the first couple of pictures, in this thread.. she is wearing a Saxon by Weatherbeeta. I know from experience as I had a few of them. (I believe I sold one, and donated the other one to SAFE) this particular blanket did NOT fit my horse well in the shoulders. I then went with a blanket that had a higher neck. Invested money in a "good" blanket, (Rambo, Rhino, some Weatherbeetas, Pessoa, some Schneider brands, HUGS,...etc.) is so worth the money.. as it'll last, and you won't have to keep buying blankets. With the Saxon blanket you have, its only 600 denier. You really want one that is atleast 1000 denier. I just bought a Pessoa for my new WB gelding, its 1200 denier, 180 fill, and waterproof, and breathable. My Arab gelding, has a Rhino blanket (sheet and medium turnout), and he hasn't had issues with shoulder rubs, or anything. Anyways... just a couple of tips. Its hard shopping for blankets... as there is a million and one different types out there... check out this website for blankets.. they are so reasonable, excellent customer service, and shipping is $4.99 and its fast... www.vtosaddlery.com
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Post by leahlady on Oct 24, 2008 22:27:32 GMT -5
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Post by winterlakesfarm on Oct 25, 2008 1:05:55 GMT -5
Also try Schneiders.....they are at www.Sstack.com and they are really, really reasonable and very good quality!
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Post by cutiepiepmu on Oct 25, 2008 3:26:15 GMT -5
Ebay ROCKS for blankets! I buy most all of mine from there - Weatherbeeta blankets seem to work well for my crew - and I REALLY like the new Tri-Star system from weatherbeeta - It is a whole system that includes a blanket liner so that you can add or take away depending on the temp outside GREAT product - very very similar to the rambo version but about 1/2 the price. It is also a 1680 denier blanket so will hold up. I also do like the Horsewear/rambo blankets - But, my all time favorite blankets are Shires blankets. They are hard to find - I generally order from europe - but they are MORE than worth the price. They run slightly oversized, but not as large as WB or rambo blankets. I agree - if you are worried about the water down the neck, either get a blanket that has an attached neck(WB tristar has an attached neck that can be easily removed!) or go with a high neck blanket. The issue with many high neck blankets for horses that have a more upright headset is that the neck will tend to roll under making a big pucker area. I also prefer blankets that are Warmblood cut - meaning, they come up over the whithers and have a longer drop on the sides - so they cover a little more I just purchased my first Schneiders blanket - a BIG FELLA blanket for my drafties - and I have been relaly impressed with teh quality. I just bought stable blankets, but they fit extremely well - actually, fit BIG which is nearly a miracle for a draft lol. Price was GREAT too - so I agree on them! Definately check ebay - it is good to have at least 2 turnouts and if you plan to stall her inside (locked in) at all - get a good stable blanket to swap out. Swaping out the blankets helps eliminate pressure points, and gives her blankets a chance to dry out well. But - for price - check ebay. I have not ever paid over $100 for a blanket and have gotten some REALLY nice Rambo, Horsewear, Shires and WB blankets along the way!! All brand new of course! Sara in WA
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Post by lbanimals on Oct 25, 2008 7:32:50 GMT -5
I actually bought a smartpak blanket (I think) back in the day....it was really cheap and really nice. and really big! I ended up trading it to another boarder that had big roping horses, for a cinch that fit Ms Fat Pants. It was at least a size or two too big. Ms Foxy has a skinny neck and is somewhat petite in the shoulders.....maybe she has a fat butt but her shoulder area is not all that large. She just has the old broodmare stretched out belly going on......I may look into a higher neck as I hate that her shoulders are all wet. I did go out and pull the blanket off again late last night (close to midnight) and she was wet in about the same spot but no worse. But overall steaming and seemed pretty comfortable. The rest of her was nice and dry. I have a McAllister med weight 76 that she has never worn, sitting in the garage. I will try that one before I shop for new ones, to see how it fits first. If I could just find a good blanket that fits her well, I'd be willing to get all the stages, as long as it was reasonable. I worry I will need something even warmer for the zero degree snaps we are being predicted this winter. Zero degrees with a horse who refuses to use a shelter.....Grrrrr..... The green saxon always fit awkwardly to me.......which is why I have not gone that route to get her additional blankets. She does have a nice warm jersey blanket I can layer underneath for warmth if needed, so I may be able to get by with a regular turnout and a midweight......if reasonable, I may get a heavyweight as well. I think she is a bit behind from having been kept stalled the last few months.....she has fuzzed up a little since moving home but is still pretty slick and the temp has started to really drop. I do not have a stall available to lock her in...just the shed which she avoids like the plague....only thing it is good for is to bring her in (haltered, otherwise I can't convince her in there) to pull blankets and switch them, without getting rained on in the meantime. So everything has to be waterproof. Thanks for all the info! I guess I'll be shopping it up this weekend
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