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Discussion on Blanketing while Trailering
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Member:
canter
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Posted on Monday, Nov 5, 2007 - 8:38 am:
Hi all,
Last year, at this time, I did a clinic, about a 40 minute drive away. I hired someone I knew to trailer Sparkles there. The weather was cool, low 40s and windy. I loaded her with a light turnout sheet on as she had been clipped a few weeks prior. When we unloaded her, the driver said he would never trailer a horse with a sheet on because they get too hot in the trailer (apparently he hadn't had enough coffee when he picked her up because he didn't notice it). I immedietely felt under the blanket and she was not hot or sweaty. In the hustle to get her settled, I put it out of my mind.
This coming weekend, I lucked out and get to ride with the same clinician, at the same place. The conditions are almost exactly the same as it was last year - temps are predicted to be in the low 40s, she's been clipped (altho a bit more has grown back than last year) and now I'm second guessing about blanketing in the trailer. My trailer is smaller than the one she travelled in last year (2 horse vs 4 horse). I like to have some ventilation in there by at least cracking open windows, even in cooler weather.
Because she's been clipped, she has been blanketed more often than not in the past couple of weeks, so her coat is flattened out, probably not providing a lot of insulation.
My instinct is to keep her in the same light turnout she's been wearing. But that comment from last year (by a more experienced horseman) is now bugging me. What's everyone think?
Thanks!
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Member:
jojo15
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Posted on Monday, Nov 5, 2007 - 9:26 am:
Depends on the rig. I see all kinds of get-ups on the racetrack horses. but they ride in semi-luxury. box stalls and so on.
Small trailer, dangers lurk everywhere. I guess the worst is you rip it. or if getting hung up on something can spook the horse. Only you know if that is possible. I wouldn't chance it.
How open is the trailer? would be the next thing to think about. i guess it could get windy/chilly. but its only a 40 minute drive.
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Member:
mrose
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Posted on Monday, Nov 5, 2007 - 9:47 am:
Is there going to be another horse in the trailer? Are the top vents open and if so, does the wind blow down on her? Are windows open on just one side, or is there cross ventilation? If you have another horse in the trailer with her and the trailer is shut up it will get pretty warm in there. I think personally that it is better to have the windows at least partly open and put a light blanket on her. I shut my trailer windows only when it is bitter cold and even then I leave vents open and a couple of windows "cracked." I also shut windows if the rain is blowing into them unless its' really hot out. I've hauled a lot of horses with blankets or sheets on them, and have never had a problem.
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Member:
hpyhaulr
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Posted on Monday, Nov 5, 2007 - 9:59 am:
Fran,
This makes me smile. Tell yourself what you tell your kids to tell themselves... trust your instincts. You know your horse, you know your environment, you know enough to keep your windows open for ventilation.... are you smiling now??? Don't let someone else's experience limit or even define your own. Your horse knows enough to trust you, surely you can join in the fun!
I hope you have lots of fun at your clinic, and I hope Denny is appearing at the next one.
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Member:
maggienm
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Posted on Monday, Nov 5, 2007 - 12:57 pm:
Fran, I do agree with some ventalation, but that might also make for a bit of draft.
So, I always put on at least a light blanket.
If you were driving in the current temp with your window rolled down and a summer shirt on would you be comfortable or wish for a light jacket? If you would be warm, skip the blanket, if you would appreciate the jacket, blanket.
Enjoy your clinic
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Member:
ekaufman
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Posted on Monday, Nov 5, 2007 - 1:15 pm:
Hi Fran,
As long as the blanket will breathe and is safe, I'd trust your gut. And if you're wrong, well, she'll be easier to warm-up and you won't harm her on that short a ride! I prefer to haul in a knit or polartec type sheet to kind of split the difference, but it's not a big deal either way.
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Member:
canter
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Posted on Monday, Nov 5, 2007 - 1:35 pm:
Thanks, everyone. jojo, the trailer is my own and in excellent shape so I don't need to worry about a sheet snagging on anything - although it is far from the luxury rig I'm sure you've seen . No other horse will be in there with mine, so only her body heat will be generated. You've all confirmed what I thought: a light blanket with ventilation is OK. Yes, Cindy, I'm smiling because YOU make me smile. You're right, of course, that I should trust my instincts, and nearly always do except when it comes to two very dear things: my little girl (the one with 2 legs) and my big girl (the one with 4 legs)...
I can't wait for this clinic. I only had 1 session last year but get the benefit of 2 this year and I really look forward to a jump in my learning curve!
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