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Post by Angel62197 on Oct 6, 2007 5:19:24 GMT -5
Hey guys, turning to y'all as my extra common sense with all things horsey-related. I want to buy Finn some winter supplies, as it can get COLD here (not Minnesota cold, but it hovers around freezing and below most of the winter), but I realized I don't even know what I'm looking for in a blanket. How much fill do I need? Will he need a different blanket for his barn time vs his turn out time? I'd like to keep him fairly shedded out (when I got him he had virtually no coat, due to stabling) so we can work all winter to get his head back on straight. I mean, there are liners and turnouts and stable blankets and OMG... I learned all my horsey stuff from old horseman (I don't think I saw a blanket on a horse until I was... well, fairly old!), so this is all new. And I want Finn to be a happy horse, cause we have a lot of work to do! So any TB tips for a cold winter.... This didn't make any sense did it? I'm posting it anyway. Sorry, middle of the night.  |
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Post by schwung on Oct 6, 2007 10:12:01 GMT -5
Oh, a topic near and dear to my heart! OK, here's what you want. Medium-weight. Not sheets, too light for your kind of weather over there. Heavy-weights are a bit much, you will probably get some nights over there that would warrant a heavy-weight but I generally think of them as 10-20 degrees or below type blankets. The most important thing is the quality denier of the outer shell. Do not consider anything that is nylon or canvas or marketed as "water resistent". Basically you want something 1000 denier or above. You want something with no center seam down the back (which allows water to get in). You want something with a higher neck that does not sit behind the withers but rather over and in front of the withers. Wither protection is good. The ones that have gussets in the shoulders are good, that makes them more flexible. Tail flaps are not required but nice if you have a horse that rubs his tail. Ones that are adjustable in the front are good. If it doesn't have leg straps it is not a turnout (unless it is a Rambo - they have a different type of closure). Rambos, by the way, are definately the best as they will require almost no repairs, but a good Weatherbeeta will last pretty well as well and are a lot cheaper. Here is a good quality and cheap blanket that I bought several of this year: www.sstack.com/jump.jsp?itemID=341&itemType=CATEGORY&path=1%2C3Modified to add, if you get a good waterproof blanket like above, you can always add a liner for extra warmth in very cold weather. You shouldn't have to change blankets nowadays. Stable blankets, in my opinion, are useless unless your horse lives in a barn and doesn't get turned out. |
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bsnlark
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SAFE's Larkspur and Ishmeal n Buckwheat, too
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Post by bsnlark on Oct 6, 2007 12:00:37 GMT -5
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Post by hooti4me on Oct 6, 2007 13:11:35 GMT -5
I agree with everything Schwung said about blankets. Rambos, Rhinos are the best blanket I think on the market. I believe you get what you pay for in blankets. I've had alot of blankets from cheap to expensive. My boyfriend (now hubby) bought me a HIB blanket like 10 years ago for $250. nicest blanket ever. I don't know if they make them anymore. Definately go with a medium weight for here. You can always get a sheet later.
How is the boarding barn hunt going?
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Post by Angel62197 on Oct 7, 2007 0:42:11 GMT -5
Well, we're down to two barns, although it's possible I might be going back to where I boarded my first TB, which is a ways out, but the people are really nice and the rates reasonable. My #1 place right now is the Eastside Equestrian Center, which is way more than most places around here, but has indoor arena, outside arena, outside dressage arena, round pen, plus stalls and turnout, etc. Plus, it's by my almost sister-in-law's house, so I can drop Damien off to play with his "cousins" and then do horsey time! Sam's down with my paying whatever I want to board, as long as I can use Finn for a change. Thanks for the blanketing advice... I want Finn comfy, happy, and spoiled. He deserves it after the time he's been left to wallow at his current place. I've been a pretty bad mommy to him.  But that's all about to change now... While I'm getting advice, I'm considering putting him back on some kind of grain (he's been getting beet pulp, no grain, with some oil at his current place, and keeps weight on beautifully!), but don't know where to start. Do they really need it? I'm not sure if his work level will warrant it (at least not to start), and no one likes a TB on too much grain! |
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Post by cardicorgi on Oct 7, 2007 15:20:14 GMT -5
I too love the blanketing subject - I'm a bit of an addict.
When my gelding was in work during the winter, I usually gave him a modified trace-clip. It allows them to cool out much faster but still leaves enough of a coat on to keep them warm with supplementation of a blanket. I'll second the Rambo advice - I've had one for 4 years now with nary a rip (and he used to be turned out with a bunch of thugs) or leak. You absolutely get what you pay for when it comes to blankets - better to spend the 200 bucks for a good one, then buy a series of 80$ ones... I think 1200 denier is a minimum.
I also have a HIB blanket (great blanket!) but it is too heavy for my horse except when it gets under 20 degrees or so.
You have to be careful about where the gussets sit - I personally think the higher gussets are better for my own horse's anatomy, as the shorter ones (like the Orican) seem to result in shoulder rubs. By the way, you can buy a "sleazy" to protect your horse from rubs, if necessary.
As for grain - Jaime and many others here have vastly more experience than me, but my gelding gets a complete Senior feed, and that has worked out really great. Feeding a really good quality hay (and more of it!) would help, but so many boarding places cut costs by buying low quality hay...you might want to supplement their hay with your own good stuff, if you have a place to store it and are at the barn daily.
Have fun blanket-shopping! I've heard that those Schneider's are awesome - I liked the look of the ones that have wither protection and are self-righting...
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Post by leahlady on Oct 10, 2007 1:25:28 GMT -5
Umm....Lady, the queen thoroughbred....has 15 blankets. She is a princess who grows NO fur (you could maybe call it, "peach fuzz").....and well I am a sucker of a mom, and I worked at a tack store for 3 years  In my opinion... NOTHING performs like the HIB blanket. You can get it at www.classiccover-ups.com . It is Gore-tex, absolutely THE best waterproof material on the market. It is completely different technology than Rambos or Weatherbeeta blankets. It STAYS waterproof! It is not a laminate or a coating, but rather a SEPARATE hydrophilic membrane layer. Lady's HIB is 7 years old...yes 7...and still looks perfect, and is the most breathable, waterproof, rub free, wonderful blanket she owns. And Lady lived 24/7 outside, with friends, and a run-in-shed until just this year. She is the horse that is silly, and stands with just her head inside the shelter. She was never wet, never cold, and never sweaty under that blanket. Even when temperatures spiked one afternoon and it was 60 degrees and Sunny!! Lady has 2 Bucas, HIB, Stormcruiser sheet and blanket, Baywatch, Rambo, Masta, HUG, Baker Turnout, plus a series of liners. She likes all her blankets, but hands down, the Classic Cover-ups products take the cake. The Stormcruiser uses Sympatex technology which is similar to Goretex, but not *quite* as breathable. The Bucas Power-lite is a great in-between seasons blanket, it does a good job with "temperature regulation", but doesn't keep her warm when it gets below 35. She has the Rambo Supreme Medium, which is great, but really doesn't breath as well as I would like. The HUG is worthless for waterproofness/durability, but it doesn't rub at all and is very warm, so it is good for very cold, clear weather. The Baker fits well, but is very heavy, so she only wears it below 20 degrees. As you can see, Lady has at least one coat for every possible weather situation. To sum it up... if you are going to buy one blanket...get the HIB. Spend the $ initially, you won't be sorry! And as for grain...I always up Lady's in October so she doesn't get ribby. |
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crum
New BB Member
Posts: 49 
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Post by crum on Oct 10, 2007 9:19:37 GMT -5
She likes all her blankets, but hands down, the Classic Cover-ups products take the cake. The Stormcruiser uses Sympatex technology which is similar to Goretex, but not *quite* as breathable. The Bucas Power-lite is a great in-between seasons blanket, it does a good job with "temperature regulation", but doesn't keep her warm when it gets below 35. She has the Rambo Supreme Medium, which is great, but really doesn't breath as well as I would like. The HUG is worthless for waterproofness/durability, but it doesn't rub at all and is very warm, so it is good for very cold, clear weather. The Baker fits well, but is very heavy, so she only wears it below 20 degrees. Do you know which brand of HUG you have? I have had excellent luck with the Hug closure blankets made by Shires and also the one made by Ballot was not to bad. It did not hold up quite as well as the Shires made one though. I was not happy at all with the one from "Rider's International" by Dover. |
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Post by hooti4me on Oct 10, 2007 9:26:41 GMT -5
At least I wasn't the only one with a HIB.. I gave it away with my mare when I sold her. But its a NICE blanket. I havne't bought a blanket in 6 years so I don't know whats out there. The HIB (Horses in Black) and Rambos are the best IMO.
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Post by leahlady on Oct 10, 2007 11:57:18 GMT -5
Crum - Lady has the one from Rider's International. Beautiful design, crap fabric!
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Post by cutiepiepmu on Oct 11, 2007 2:03:11 GMT -5
I am sort of a blanket whore too - My kids have 4-5 each for different weather and seasons -as well as 2 turn outs in each weight in case on gets muddy or ripped - that way i have a backup!
I agree about the HIB blankets - but they do tend to run a little smaller than some other brands - or maybe I should say they are not oversized - so i was not able to find one to fit my large horses.
So far - I have had OUTSTANDING luck with Shires blankets. I have a Heavy weight turnout for my QH and a midweight for my shirex. both have held up to everything without any issues at all - even repeated washings. My QH's blanket is 6 years old and outside of being a tad faded looks almost brand new and works as good as the first day he had it on! Bought it off of Ebay for $60 and it is a 1900 denier.
I agree with a midweight turnout - but make sure you also buy a blanket liner. For the cold nights they are WONDERFUL and are short enough that they don't get icky hanging out like a fleece sheet will. AND - you can take them off when it warms up.
Get a blanket that is nylon lined - you will be much happier if you do - they don't rub!
ALSO - Show sheen/Vetroline shine is your FRIEND under a blanket. People used to laugh at me when they see me slickering my horses up in the winter - BUT spray your horses shoulders, chest and the top of the butt well with one of these and it will keep your blanket from rubbing! I also spray the legs down really well - makes mud just slid off!!
If your kid is coming into a dry stall at night, i suggest getting a good stable blanket. There are alot ont he market, but I really like the Weatherbeeta Jasper HIGH neck blankets. They fit a little oversized, but seem snuggy like a warm comforter and the two I have have held up through weekly washings during the winter for over 3 years!
Sara in Wa
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Post by jennywho on Oct 11, 2007 14:08:23 GMT -5
I think that strategy and ultium are the TB's best friend.
I have had such good luck feeding strategy to all of mine. They all weigh more than they should (me too, LOL), and are on minimal amounts of grain for TB's. Plus neither grain gets them hot.
I have a good collection of ponies to feed and unless I am trying to get weight on them they get strategy. For the ones that need to gain a few pounds I put them on ultium. I've been feeding strategy for 10 years+ and had success with the racehorses, babies, broodmares, rididng horses, etc. LOVE IT.
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Post by Angel62197 on Nov 16, 2007 23:26:01 GMT -5
So another question, related of course....
The barn we're moving to doesn't offer blanketing, so it's all on me to make sure he stays warm and cozy. I work 12 hour shifts, and he's 20 minutes from my house. There's some times it'll be 2-3 days before I can go out and mess with him. Is it safe to leave him in a medium-weight blanket during all hours of the day, or is he going to overheat? They turn-out during the day and stall at night.
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Post by cardicorgi on Nov 17, 2007 2:58:39 GMT -5
I've been in the same boat, kinda - I think it's better to put something waterproof/windproof/breathable on that is light-weight (assuming it's in the 50s during the day) and leave that on (assuming also that it fits - watch for rubs!), than something that has fill in it.
It's better if the horse doesn't sweat during the day underneath the blanket - it can lead to chills, and the horse can't do a dang thing about it. I think a lightweight turnout is probably your best bet for the days you can't get out. Plus - if he has hay in front of him, he's going to stay warm anyway...
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Post by cat67 on Nov 17, 2007 10:59:40 GMT -5
We have lightweight waterproof turnouts on all of ours, and I've come home to find the weather changed and it was 65 degrees and sunny - and no one was sweating underneath. I think waterproof/lightweight/breathable is definitely the way to go. You can add another blanket underneath it for warmth when the temp drops way down, but if it's ranging from 40's to 60's, that turnout sheet should be all they need. They won't be cold if they're dry.
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But that's all about to change now... 
