Conference noted::equitation

    Ugh!  Almost blanket season again. Don't remind me!!!!!
    
    I heard of the Kevelar (sp), but I think it's very expensive.
    My horse is a special size order, so mucho $$$$!
    I use a liner under my horse's nylon/polyester quilted type
    blanket so the liner gets dirty and not the blanket.  The liner
    is an acrylic fleece material and looks like a blanket, has a
    closed front, so you have to slide it over the head.  They only
    cost about $20, and DEFINITELY are worth it, because they DO
    keep the horse warm.  They tend to slip, though, as the outer
    blanket is nylon, so I recommend using a surcingle.  I learned
    this after my horse had the liner hanging from his neck so he
    couldn't move!  Easy to wash & dry, too.  They fit into a normal
    washing machine.  They are in most horse catalogs & tack shops.
    
    I use the triple load washer down at the laundomat to wash the
    nylon blanket.  I use a mild detergent and lysol disenfectant
    and it comes out terrific.
    The nylon/poly quilted is his indoor stall blanket. 
                                                    
    I use a Yankee Turnout Rug for outside, as it is coated and
    this makes it waterproof.  BUT, you cannot wash it as washing
    will remove the waterproofing, or dry clean it, as it will
    shrink the binding & lining material.  I wet it, LIGHTY scrub
    it with a scrubbing brush, rinse it and hang it to dry.
    It's a great winter turnout rug, but as you cannot wash it,
    per se, it does smell "horsey".  Of course, my horse wore it
    10-12 hours a day, outside, and rolled in it, laid down in it,
    got rained or snowed on in it, etc.  It definitely keeps your
    horse warm & dry.....
                                                                   
    L-
    

    On the subject of winter blankets, I use a New Zealand rug with
    cotton pillow cases sewn into the shoulder areas to prevent rubbing.
    This was a big problem for my mare last year, she started to get
    raw under the wool, but the pillow cases worked out beautifully
    and I didn't have to deal with a vast assortment of straps and buckles
    and things slipping every which way. I also have a 5A (?) Baker
    blanket that I use at times, I put it under the New Zealand in extreme
    cold. Both need to be cleaned, and I know I should have tackled
    them this past summer, but I still haven't done it. I was planning
    to drape them over the fence and attack them with the hose, a broom,
    and a bucket of Tide. Does anyone know how often a worn-daily New
    Zealand should be re-waterproofed?? I know I can get the stuff in
    a camping supply store or hardware-type store, but is it really
    neccessary after two years' use? Should it be done yearly?? Gawd,
    I hate winter!
    
    Linda
    

    re: .1
    
    Lynne
    
    I think you can use one of those enzyme products like outright or
    natures Miracle to get rid of the horsey smell....infact I saw an
    add in a magazine for the equine equivilant of outright.
    
    
    Michele

    
    Speaking of waterproof New Zealand rugs...mine is no long waterproof.
    Do you suppose I could just use tent or boot waterproofing to re-
    waterproof it? Or is there something else I should use?
    
    Thanks,
    	-j
    

    What about scotchgard for waterproofing a blanket? Has anyone used it?
    		Cindy
    

    
    	I would like information on how to determine what size or type of
    blanket should be used on my new Thoroughbred?   Also what's a good
    blanket?   I really would like a blanket that will last.
    	This horse is 15.3 hands.   Any info would be much appreciated. 
    
    	Thanks in advance,  Gary

    It depends what you want the blanket to do, really. There are a lot
    of different kinds for different uses. My mare wears a New Zealand
    turnout in the winter, and if it gets really cold I double it up
    with a 5A Baker wool blanket. But are excellent quality blankets,
    and have lasted superbly through the 6 years I've had the horse.
    I don't begin blanketing her until it gets down near zero, though,
    I really believe in natural protection more than anything, but my
    horses are alone all day and if a storm hits while I'm away, this
    mare wont' go in her stall (she has free access turnout year-round)
    until her mane is frozen into a clump and she stands there shivering
    waiting for me to hurry up and please bring her in. (who said
    horses are 'always' bright?? :-) As far as sizes, most tack shops can
    offer charts, etc to help you determine what will best fit your horse,
    and usually you can return it immediately if the fit isn't right.
    Good luck!
    

    Measuring your horse for size -
    
    Measure your horse from the center of his chest, around
    the side, around the butt to the tail.  you will get a
    measurement like 78 in, or 79, or whatever.  Blankets come in
    even sizes, 78, 80, 82..
    
    L-  

    
    DON'T be stingy with your blanket. If the horse measures 78.5 get an
    80. If you don't you'll end up with a blanket that doesn't fit
    paticutarly after you wash it. Also, don't guess - measure! Unless you
    have lots of experience with horse blankets, you'll guess wrong. I
    speak from experience - my horse wore a biniki for a couple of months
    until I could get the money together for another new blanket.
    
    Nancy
    

    
    
    	Thanks, for the reply's. I've never had to blanket my previous
    horse so this is all new to me.   She measured out at 76.5"  so I'll
    order a 78" blanket.   A few fellow horsewomen let me try out there 
    blankets this weekend.   Two of the blankets were a Millers brand and
    were to big around her belly.  The blanket that seemed to fit best was 
    a blanket that came out of the Jeffery's catalog.  I was told by this 
    person that many of the blankets are designed around wide body horses
    and that many of the Thoroughbreds are narrow and that the blanket
    Jeffery's sells seems to fit them better?   So I guess I'll order one
    from Jeffery's and see how it works out.
    
    Three years into lessons + owning a horse and still learning the basics!!
    
    Suppose I will now have to learn the do's and don'ts of blanketing 
    during the course of the extreme New England weather changes?
    
    There are many helpful suggestions in these notes keep em coming!!
    
    Thanks, Gary

    One thing I never had to worry about, was when to stop
    blanketing for the winter....my QH removes it himself
    when he has had enough of the blanket season! (-;
    
    Lynne

    I DON'T KNOW IF THIS THE RIGHT NOTE FOR MY QUESTION BUT HERE IT IS.
    
    OUR TRAINER TELLS ME THAT WE SHOULD START PUTTING A BLANKET ON OUR REG.
    QTR HORSE NOW, T INHIBIT WINTER GROWTH OF HAIR.  THEY DO THIS SO THEIR
    COATS LOOK GOOD EARLY IN THE SHOW SEASON FEB, MAR.
    
    IS THIS PRACTICE COMMON AND IS IT HEALTHY FOR THE HORSE OVER THE LONG
    RUN?
    
    ANY INFO WOULD BE APPRECIATED AS I AM A COMPLETE NOVICE IN THIS SPORT
    
    THANKS 

    It is common practice, espicially for halter prospects.  It is one that
    I opt not to use, but my mare has a fine coat and sheds out real
    quick.  I like her to be outside as much as possible and I think blanketing
    her would introduce some health risks.  My vet agrees.  Another factor
    in my decision is that I'm not at a training/show barn, so someone
    isn't always there if the weather should turn and she required more or
    less.  The horses at my instructor's barn are blanketed all winter, 
    but she's there when they are turned out, and its only for a few hours.   
    Besides I can always opt for a body clip..... ;^)

    I show both halter and performance.  My horse comes home the end of
    September and goes back in March or April.  He doesn't wear a blanket
    for many of the reasons in the previous answer.  We found that unless
    you are right there when the weather turns good or bad the horses have
    more of a tendency to get colds, etc.
    
    When he goes back to the trainer he is given a body clip and
    blanketed...we have had no problems doing it this way.
    
    Good luck...there are advantages and disadvantages.  We just found that
    the disadvantages outweighed the advantages.
    
    Kathie
    

    I never blanket my current horse, but I don't show him halter and
    although I train through the winter, he never gets more than slightly
    warm or dampish.  After I ride him in winter, if he's warm and/or damp,
    I bundle him up in an anti-sweat sheet covered by a cooler.  This keeps 
    horses very warm and they usually dry quickly.
    
    I always clipped previous horse because she grew a horrendously long,
    thick coat.  When we worked in the winter, with her full coat she would 
    get very damp and could take 2 hours to get dry, even when carefully 
    bundled up.
    
    It really depends on the individual situation -- the horse, what you do
    with him, what you plan to do with him.  Personally, I favor a natural
    coat.  Its healthier and safer and they look cute and cuddly.
    
    Mary

    My QH doesn't grow a "winter coat", per se.  He gets maybe a 1/4
    inch of fur, but the only way I know he has a winter coat is that
    his face grows long hair under the jaw.  I have to blanket him
    when the weather gets real cold, usually starting in Nov.  Come
    spring, he decides when he no longer needs the blanket, by me
    finding it in a ball on the stall floor for 2 - 3 consecutive days! (-;
    
    MHO - if a horse grows a good winter coat, I wouldn't blanket him
    at all.  Nor would I clip a horse.  If he gets warm/hot/damp after 
    being ridden in the winter, wrap him in a sweat sheet and cooler,
    and walk him until he's dry.  I have seen people put the horse in
    the stall to dry, but walking is better for them.  A lot more work 
    in the winter, but better for the horse.
    
    Lynne
    

    
    
    	I feel the same as alot of the past replys, if they grow a nice 
    	thick winter coat themselfs then leave them alone, Mother nature
    	knows best...:-) :-)  My past horses never needed to be blanketed 
    	unless it was really freezing and I noticed them shivering, then I 
    	would blanket them up and make them a nice hot bran mash! :-)
    
    	Last year I blanketed the horse I have now only because he seemed
    	to have been having alot of trouble with the weather changing
    	and he would colic on me so the vet also suggested blanketing him
    	but otherwise I would not.  I'm going to try and let mother nature
    	take over this winter and see how he does.  He did fine the year
    	before so maybe it was because he was maturing or something and
    	his body was changing???  I would also suggest giving your horse
    	warm water during the winter, my horse *loves* this...  I also
    	give him a hot bran mash once a week in the winter.  
    
    	Well hope this is of some help to you!
    
    	Zina

    I agree, too, with the warm water.  Last winter I noticed that my guy's
    pee was brown (sometimes pretty dark).  Since he had tied up the
    previous spring, I was concerned and called my vet.  She said she gets
    zillions of calls like this every winter, used to run all kinds of lab
    tests and could never find anything wrong.  Now, unless other symptoms 
    were present, she no longer was concerned about it.  She thought it
    might be caused by them drinking less water because it was so cold.
    
    So I started bringing a gallon of scalding water with me each night and
    mixing it with cold water so it was luke warm/coolish.  He started 
    drinking a lot more water after that and his pee looked much more normal 
    within a couple days.
    
    Mary

    I fully agree with the hot water in winter. Until we moved to Seattle 3
    years ago, our horses had spent all their 15-17 years in N.H. or VT. In
    our barn, they were NEVER blanketed. I take that back, once when it got
    sub-zero *INSIDE* the barn we blanketed them.
    
    But their water buckets usually froze overnight; sometimes partially
    sometimes completely. We carried out buckets of hot water from the
    house. Busted up the ice in their buckets; scooped it out with
    a large strainer and then re-filled with hot water. They *LOVED* it!
    They'd come over and drink a bunch while it was still steaming. "Ah, my
    morning tea!"
    
    The first time we tried that, I slipped on some ice and drenched my leg
    with hot water...my pants instantly froze to my leg! The way to prevent that
    is to go to your nearest Dunkin Donut shop(or local equivalent) and get
    some of the pails that they get their jelly fillings in. Those things
    have *LIDS* and they are cheap, about $1.00 each the last time we got
    any. They hold about 4 gallons and can be opened/closed with gloves on.
    You'll have to wash the jelly gunk out but the price is right!
    
    We had 3 to 5 horses so we had several of these buckets. I'd carry two
    out at once for better balance. Sometimes 2 buckets was enough for them
    all but when we had 5 I'd usually make two trips
    
    John

    For carrying hot water, I have 2 5 gallon water bags, made of heavy
    duty plastic.  They have screw on tops with nozzles so you don't spill
    any!  One of them is a solar bag that was used as a shower for camping,
    its black and a little more heavy duty than the clear plastic.

    I was tired of lugging hot water to the barn and found a setup that
    works well. I bought one of those 100 gallon tubs and put a heater
    in it and cut out a cover for it from some 1" stiff insulation.
    I fill it every weekend which saves draining the hose every day in 
    the winter or having frozen hoses. 
    The water really gets nice and warm in there and if the water in
    the bucket is frozen I put the heater right in the bucket while
    I clean the stall. This probably costs a little more but I HATE
    lugging water, and it saves time.

    Yeah, lugging water gets old but I could never bring myself to use tank
    heaters or even those heater tapes that lots of people wrap around barn
    plumbing to keep it from freezing. I have known people who had fires
    from the tapes and others who got shocked from faulty tank heaters. Not
    that I'm paranoid, mind you! But I've never been able to believe "It
    will never happen to me." Besides, even if I were paranoid, it wouldn't
    mean that they're *NOT* out to get me! 

    re: .22
    
    more ammo for the hot water in the barn argument.....right???

I have a dilemma that perhaps some of you can help me with.

My ponies live at home, in a two stall home-made special. They have wintered
in it once already , so I am not worried about that. But...

A couple of days ago one of my guys started coughing. It started just when 
we started with some of these cold nights. So I started putting a couple
of sheets on at night (I have always heard that you should blanket warm or
not at all). I had actually caught him *shivering*. 

He seems to be licking the cold, but I have interrupted his coat growth. Is
it too late to turn back? I don't want the poor guy to be in blankets in 
October. He has trouble staying warm and keeping weight in the winter (no
matter how much I feed him!).

Help! What do I do?


	I can't believe we are talking about blankets already!

    Why don't you try just a sheet? One should be plenty for the cold
    nights.
    
    Also, you could have your vet check the coughing and be sure it isn't
    allergies of some sort.  My mare coughs, and it was due to allergic
    lungs. We have to wet her hay now, and that has done the trick.
    
    Good luck
    Deb

    A discussion in the dog notes jogged my memory about this note. So, I
    flipped through this one again. 
    
    Earlier in this discussion, people were asking about waterproof sheets,
    re-waterproofing New Zealand rugs, etc
    
    We bought New Zealand rugs for our horses when we moved to Seattle.
    We usually just use them for turn-out. However, our current barn is
    a shed-row style and, therefore, quite exposed. So, we use them in the
    stalls in cold blustery weather. Fortunately, that's only 2 or 3 times 
    a year out here.
    
    They're OK but they are *NOT* waterproof even when new. The rain
    eventually soaks through and/or runs in at the neck or chest. After 
    a few years, the wax coating on the rug wears out. Then, you are
    faced with re-waxing it (if you can find the stuff!) or buying a new
    rug.
    
    Well, the second year we were here, we discovered a company that makes
    Gore-Tex sheets and blankets. The sheets are 100% waterproof; lighter and
    easier to handle than NZ rugs; I think the are even cheaper!
    
    The company is called "Classic Coverups" and they are in PA. They have
    a nice line of sheets, blankets, coolers, quarter-sheets, HUMAN
    RAINCOATS for riding and general use as well as doggie raincoats which
    was the discussion in the dog notes.
    
    We got their "Super-Sheet" which is a heavy duty Gore-Tex'ed Cordura 
    turnout sheet. We also got long riding coats for ourselves from them.
    Similar comments compare their riding coats to Barbour's. The Classic
    Coverups coats are lighter, 100% waterproof, never need re-waxing AND
    they don't have that nasty smell that the Barbour wax gives off! Plus
    their long coats are about $100 cheaper than Barbour's long coats.
    
    They have a catalog and I'm sure they would be glad to send you one.
    Classic Coverups telephone : 215-869-3250
    
    Honest, I'm not related to the owners(Lynn & Ian Bishop) and they
    didn't pay me for a "plug". I'm just a satisfied customer. And, I'm
    tough to please.
    
    John

    The biggest problem I have is finding any blanket or sheet
    big enough to fit my horse.  He is only 16 hds, but he is
    a BIG Quarterhorse, and most stop the size at 84".  He grew
    out of the Yankee turnout blanket I bought him last year,
    and this blanket kept him bone dry, even during a blizzard!
    I want one of those thick, quilted style winter blankets,
    with the hind leg straps for him, but no luck so far.  The
    blanket I use on him now had to be made for him!  He doesn't
    grow a winter coat, so he HAS to be blanketed.  The waterproof
    ones also stop at size 84".  Where do those people with the
    17-18 hand horses get there blankets from?
    
    L-

    I checked the Classic Coverups catalog over the weekend. Their sheets and 
    blankets are available in sizes upto 86". Would that be big enough?

    If your horse needs something larger than 86", try calling the Classic 
    Coverups people. Since they make the stuff, the might make a larger sizes
    on special order. Everytime I've talked to them, they were very
    accomodating. They take great interest in customer feedback, etc. so they 
    just might make a special size.
    
    I think the owners of huge horses have to go to custom blankets. A
    horse that Jan was training a couple years ago had that problem. He
    was only 16.3 but big bodied and muscular. An 84" blanket only came
    halfway down his sides and didn't cover the last 3-4" of his
    hindquarters. I think his owners had a blanket made for him but I can't
    remember where.

    Re .26 - do you have Classic Coverups tel#/address so I
    can request a catalog?  I had his last blanket special
    made to 86", and it fits him beautifully. (of course,
    it is now 3+ yrs old, and starting to wear, tear and
    duct tape only works for so long! (-8 )
    
    Re .27 - I had brought home from a local tack store an 84"
    blanket, and tried it on him.  It wouldn't even cover most
    of his sides and butt!   However, he is a 1200 lb baby, so the 
    tack shop called the blanket maker (who is in R.I., if I remember
    right, this being 3 yrs ago....) who said he could make an 86"
    one.  It was an exact duplicate of the one I had tried on him,
    only in 86".  It fits him very well. He is a Quarterhorse, BTW.
    He measured out somewhere close to 84", I think.  
    I would rather be able to order right from a catalog so I don't
    have to wait, which it sounds like I might be able to do from
    Classic Coverups.  I'll let you know.  
    
    	
    

    Oops, sorry!  That should have been Re .28 & .29!
    
    Lynne

    has anyone tried RONNIE PEAKS blankets???
    
    I think hes in Connecticut..
    
    			wendy o'
    
    
    

    Thk you!
    
    Catalog is on the way!

    I rec'd my Classic Coverups catalog.......
    
    They certainly are not cheap!!!!  I think over $200 for a
    blanket is a little out of my pocketbook range.......
    
    L

    I guess their prices went up to pay for the new house ;-) They moved
    from Delaware to PA last summer.
    
    The Classic Coverups prices USED to be fairly reasonable for turnout
    sheets and turnout rugs...They were substantially cheaper than Miller's
    price for New Zealand rugs.... Oh well, everything changes.
    
    We're on our 3rd winter with Classic Coverups turnout sheets and they
    have really held up well. Our horses roll in them (preferred spot - muddy 
    gravel!), run and buck etc... and the sheets look practically new
    (except for the mud; they don't come with that; you have to supply it
    locally)
    
    Even if they have gone up in price, I'd probably buy another one if we
    get another horse or these get beyond repair. We need the waterproof 
    qualities and we like them better than NZ rugs. Besides, I think we got 
    good value for the $...the sheets are holding up better than anything
    else we have used.
    
    JND

    I came across this list of blanket Manufacturers while looking through
    back issues of EQUUS for stable plans and stall component ads. Thought
    some of you with large or hard to fit horses might be able to get help
    from some of these folks:
    
    
Big D Products
705 Soscol Ave
Napa CA 94588
707 252 3077

Classic Coverups
9 Marie Lane 
West Grove PA 19390
215 869 3250

Curvon Horse Blankets
PO Box 865
Red Bank NJ 07701
800 631 2236

Equilar Equine Products
309 S Main St
Woodstown NJ 08908
609 769 3119

Gallop International
Rt 2 Box 579
Cummings GA 30130
800 9 GALLOP

Great Outdoors CO LTD
142 Kent ST
Frankton Hamilton NEW ZEALAND
64-071-70-996

Jack's Manufacturing Inc
2250 Kenskill Ave
Washington C.H., OH 43160
614 335 5121

Triple Crown Blanket
PO Box 484
Alpharetta GA 30239
800 241 3018

Wilsun Custom Made Horse Clothing
2210 McFarland/400 Blvd
Alpharetta GA 30201
(404)751-9343

W'underwear for Equines
1072 St Matthews Rd
Chester Springs PA 19425
215 827 0996

    
    
    If you are still having problems finding 86" blankets, you could try
    calling Franktown Feeds in Franktown Colorado.  They carry 86" winter 
    blankets in stock for around $140.  One of the other boraders at my
    barn had to get an 86" for her *very* large QH and this is where she
    got it.  They will do mail order (usually the same day) and are some of
    the nicest people around.
    
    
    I don't have their number handy, but the area code is 303.  
    
    Pat

    OK.  I know there really aren't any dumb questions, just dumb answers.
    But anyway, here's my question:
    
    One of Bey's winter blankets is parting from the binding at one edge.
    I have a friend who has a heavy duty sewing machine and is willing to
    do the mending but I don't know what kind of thread to get.  (See, it
    really is kind of a dumb question)  I'm sure that I can find what I
    need at one of the large fabric places, but non-horse people never 
    make me feel confident that I'm getting good advice.  
    
    So...help!
    
    thanks,
    gwen
    

Since it's just the binding coming off the blanket, and not a stress location
you _could_ use regular thread and just sew back and forth over it a few times.  
There are heavier threads, such as button and carpet thread that you could also 
use, if the machine will cope with it.

k

                    -< Classic Coverup's Telephone Number >-
    
    I re-wrote this because the area code changed...
        
    Classic Coverups telephone : 610-869-3250
    
    Gore-Tex sheets and blankets upto size 86"
    
    Human Gore-Tex raincoats for riding, equine Gore-Tex coolers and quarter 
    sheets as well as Gore-Tex doggie coats are also available

    I have been able to get silk thread. Very strong stuff.
    
    Carl

    Silk would slide through the thick material better so not to put
    a strain on the machine.  It will also slide out of the blanket easier
    if it should get pulled though, so be sure to secure the ends well by
    reversing back and forth on them.
    
    Sharon