Use the navigation bar above to access articles and more discussions on this topic.
| Author |
Message |
    
Angie J.
Member
Username: Ajudson1
Post Number: 962
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, Jan 20, 2007 - 6:48 pm: |   |
I don't know much about blankets in general, just have a few on hand for those rare occasions a horse is chilled, or ill. What I have are the heavy duty tan canvas ones with fleecy lining. Very inexpensive, but tough.
I just got a new stable sheet from Dover. The description says: Moisture Wicking Stable Sheet, water repellant, anti-bacterial, and UV protection. (Like I need UV protection in Jan here.)
I am pretty shocked at how thin the sheet is! It does have 2 layers, the bottem one is supposively the wicking cotton part. I did figure that a sheet would be thinner than a blanket, or turn out rug of course.
My question is, does this have any use for horses with long winter hair? The lady I spoke with when I ordered said it would be just fine for what I needed.
What I was doing was using an old heavy open weave bed blanket. I would put that on for maybe 15-20 minutes, then take it off, and put on the canvas blanket. I figured that soaked up some of the sweat, and then the heavier one keeps the horse warm and helps him dry off too.
I am not a die hard winter rider. Just now and then on those mild days that tease you!
Our stalls have half doors, so not completely wind proof. I am sure that makes a difference, know it does for me.
Any advice would be appreciated. It's a $50.00 sale blanket, I'd be out the shipping if I return it, but better than out the whole amount and no use for it. |
Holly Wood
Member
Username: Hwood
Post Number: 1739
Registered: 3-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, Jan 20, 2007 - 8:25 pm: | |
Sounds like it will work fine, Angie.
The "moisture wicking" part will pull the sweat from the horse, and the body heat of the horse will help it to evaporate through the blanket . . . that's why you want something that breathes . . . like your waffle weave blanket, although this will probably be safer for the horse to wear if it has all the correct buckles and leg straps.
I used to use an old "Pound Puppies" slumber bag that no longer fit my kids . . . LOL . . . and belted it on with several belts that I linked together . . . Of course, I couldn't leave the horses unattended, so it was a bit of a pain, but it worked. Hey, when you are desperate, you find a way, huh? Feels good to graduate to the real thing, doesn't it? |
Angie J.
Member
Username: Ajudson1
Post Number: 963
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, Jan 21, 2007 - 8:33 am: | |
When I use the old bed blanket, I put a surcingle around the horse and just tie the front of the blanket with a twine string. It comes right out of the heated tack room from near the wall heater. I turn the heater up for a few minutes first, so it's like the blanket came out of the dryer.
Spoilt lil ol' horses, huh?
I still think this new sheet is just sooo thin...I just wonder how it can help dry off the horse if there is no "loft" to the bottom layer. Or am I getting confused (most likely)with myself liking a nice thick fluffy bath towel to dry off with? Course I don't have to wear that til dry, standing in a cold barn...noooo, I am under heat lamps in the bathroom, lol!!
Maybe hubby can put heat lamps in the barn!!! Ta Da!!! |
Sara Wolff
Member
Username: Mrose
Post Number: 2140
Registered: 1-2000
| | Posted on Sunday, Jan 21, 2007 - 9:18 am: | |
I'm familiar with the blanket you have and think it will work fine. Most of these new high tech fabrics actually work great. You should see some of the gear that Lonnie wears on his bike rides when it's cold. It as as much heft as a piece of tissue paper, but keeps him warm and dry and lets moisture from sweat escape. |
Lori
Member
Username: maggienm
Post Number: 352
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, Jan 21, 2007 - 10:06 pm: | |
Angie, if I understand you correctly what you are looking for is something to help cool out(or rather keep from getting chilled as his body temp returns to normal) your horse after you have ridden.
Is the horse actually sweating?
When I am splitting wood I take my coat off but after I stop working I start to feel chilly so the coat feels good.
If my horse has worked up a sweat I will put a blanket on her underneath something that sounds very similar to what you have.
After 15-20 mins I pull that out from under the sheet and leave the sheet on.
Now that it is colder I have to use something much heavier than the sheet but still the same idea.
But Holly don't the blankets and belts fit better than the 'real thing'? |
Angie J.
Member
Username: ajudson1
Post Number: 966
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Monday, Jan 22, 2007 - 7:28 am: | |
Yes, Lori that is what I want. To cool out and dry horses with long winter hair. Yes, some sweating started, not extreme though. No foam or dripping sweat!
Holly said, in a private post to me, that the sheet may actually get frost on the outside of it as the horse cools, but it would be wicking the moisture away from the horse like intended.
The lady at Dover said this would work when I told her that this is for horses with winter coats, not blanketed on a regular basis, etc. I asked her if I needed the "honey comb chill chaser" to put on first, she said no. That was more of an open weave blanket like my house blanket.
I've always worried that the canvas type blankets, which soak up some sweat, are not breathing enough and I might end up with a wet, chilled horse. I spray them with water proofing spray occasionally as they were bought for cold wet days before I had 4 nice stalls.
Think I'll do the house blanket under the sheet. I just feel good about working it like that. Makes sense, thanks Lori.
Now, if my husband hasn't taken all my old house blankets to the deer blind, or camp.... |
