Blanket for Tanner .

[luv2show]

Hey guys!

I'm sorry you have to read another winter blanket post! I need to buy one for Tanner as the cold weather is coming. :doh:. I don't think I will keep his blanket on all of the time, just on those freezing cold Canadian winter nights! LOL.

Which one of these blankets do you think is best for that? http://www.pleasantridge.ca/winter_blankets.htm


BTW, Tanner is turned out *daily* or every other day weather depending. He is kept inside and the barn is insulated so it's not too bad in there.

Thanks!

[WashingtonBay]

Depends what you want. None of them will hurt him a bit. :D

[shewasmyshadow]

Here's the one I just got:
http://www.statelinetack.com/itemdy00.asp?T1=SLT900057%2070RYL

It's not too warm, it's not insulated, but it is waterproof/windproof. It's just takes the edge off the cold, but isn't going to cause any sweating if it gets warm. If you got something more like this you would be safe leaving it on all the time.

I ordered it a bit big (you can never tell how their gonna fit:rolleyes:) and this is what it ended up looking like:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3032/2992808473_4081c1a751.jpg?v=0

Oh, and one more thing. It's 1800 denier which means it's SUPER heavy duty and it won't get ripped up by other horses. It's guaranteed for 2 yrs. I donno if you could find it in Canada, though.

By the way I got it mixed up and didn't realize he was inside at night. I thought it was the other way around. Duh... I fixed my post. ;)

[luv2show]

LOL, well.... I'd like one that he could wear at night not sure about outside..... but mostly just a warm stable blanket. Oh - and one that won't rip easily! lol. Which one do you think is most suitable for that? :)

[shewasmyshadow]

I like this one:

http://www.pleasantridge.ca/MAXIM%20BALLISTIC%202008.jpg

[luv2show]

shewas - that's really neat! But I don't think they're in Canada, like you said. I won't beleaving a blanket on him all of the time, only for those cold nights :). So I do think I want something insulated. Thanks for the link though. I like the blue on your boy!

EDIT - thanks! I'll keep that one from P.R. in mind!

[WashingtonBay]

If you want him to wear it outside ever, get a waterproof turnout blanket. None of the stable blankets should be out in the weather, they aren't waterproof at all.

Medium weight fill is a good happy medium. the higher the denier, the longer it will last.

From there is depends what you want to spend, and if you care about color, what's available.

[WashingtonBay]

Here's the one I just got:
http://www.statelinetack.com/itemdy00.asp?T1=SLT900057%2070RYL

It's not too warm, it's not insulated, but it is waterproof/windproof. It's just takes the edge off the cold, but isn't going to cause any sweating if it gets warm. If you got something more like this you would be safe leaving it on all the time.


Careful with that in really cold climates. The blanket will block wind and keep him dry, you're right. But it will also compress the hair without adding any insulation to replace that loss of insulation. IMHO, they're better for protection from rain in a fairly warm climate, than warmth in winter.

[shewasmyshadow]

Thanks WB. I never thought of that. He has a winter blanket, so I'll tell Farmers to switch him when it gets real cold. I assumed it was okay because when I worked for a big dressage barn they put their clipped horses in those for turn-out. I'm glad you said something. What temperature should we switch over?

Sorry, luv. I'm not trying to hijack honest!

[luv2show]

Thanks guys! :)

No problem at all! I'm learning from your conversation as well so go ahead and keep talking if you want! :D

[shewasmyshadow]

Yeah, I love the 1800 denier. Luv, they have a medium and a heavy in the blanket that I got Rashad. You might wanna check them out. They fit real nice and have these self adjusting straps. They are super well-made and come in good colors. :D

Edited to add a link:
http://www.statelinetack.com/itemdy00.asp?T1=SLT900753%2082%20PRP

[WashingtonBay]

Thanks WB. I never thought of that. He has a winter blanket, so I'll tell Farmers to switch him when it gets real cold. I assumed it was okay because when I worked for a big dressage barn they put their clipped horses in those for turn-out. I'm glad you said something. What temperature should we switch over?

Sorry, luv. I'm not trying to hijack honest!

It's hard for me to answer for anyone else, because answers to this question are all over the board. Personally, I would switch to the insulated blanket whenever it's going to be below freezing... but I set the bar pretty high.

[shewasmyshadow]

Well, he's already got a decent coat and he tends to get LOTS of hair. Farmers waiting until this weekend to put it on, so he's had a chance to build up some thick fluff. Does that make a difference?

[WashingtonBay]

It makes some difference, but I'm sure you've also seen that when they are in a blanket with any weight to it, it smashes the hair fairly flat, no matter how much they have. It's one of the things about blanketing that I consider a feature, but if they're out in cold and rain and the blanket is wet and heavy, they need some insulation to make up for that.

I err on the side of them being warm. If it warms up outside, they really aren't going to die. I see them out, fully blanketed, basking in the sun on these fall mornings. If they were too hot, they wouldn't do that. So all cautions about them getting too warm aside, they seem to be able to manage quite well even if I don't get the blankets off them on these iffy days.

[shewasmyshadow]

Really? Yours don't sweat? Rashad is VERY prone to getting damp and sweating under his blankets. He was getting sweaty so often that I took it off him last year. I think that's why I wanted to get the lighter weight one.

[WashingtonBay]

If they get to running in them, they might sweat a little in the armpits, but if they feel like they're getting too hot they stop and come in and cool down or they roll. I try to take them off if it's going to be over 50. but if we're in the 40s, I usually don't worry about it for a few hours of being a little too warm.

[vicklynn]

If you want him to wear it outside ever, get a waterproof turnout blanket. None of the stable blankets should be out in the weather, they aren't waterproof at all.

Medium weight fill is a good happy medium. the higher the denier, the longer it will last.

From there is depends what you want to spend, and if you care about color, what's available.

Ditto

[shewasmyshadow]

If they get to running in them, they might sweat a little in the armpits, but if they feel like they're getting too hot they stop and come in and cool down or they roll. I try to take them off if it's going to be over 50. but if we're in the 40s, I usually don't worry about it for a few hours of being a little too warm.

No, Rashad would sweat in his when he was in a stall. It never gets too warm in our barn, though. It's not insulated and it's right on the prairie, so it's quite nippy in there at night in winter. Even with that he still would sweat on the shoulder and hip.

[JackieB]

That Maxim Ballistic one that SWMS pictured sounds really good. Tanner doesn't need as much warmth as you might think. He will generate a lot of heat under there. A medium blanket will do well. I don't like ones with longer necks, either. Again, it's not necessary.

Anyway, I don't think you could go wrong with the one that SWMS suggested. Good price, too. I bought a medium-weight Weatherbeeta Taka and it's perfect for Buster, but a bit more expensive.

[sugarsgirl]

I just bought the Xander blanket for Chrissy two weeks ago, and I like it. Although, its not really that heavy, so if you're wanting something heavier, don't get that one.

[JackieB]

Go for the higher denier number. The Taka is 1260 and that's pretty sturdy. The fill is only 220 and I heard someone on the forum the other day say that 300 is the minimum she would accept. But Buster stays warm in it. Downright toasty.

Of the ones that are on your page, I'd go with the one that SWMS recommended, or I saw a couple of others down farther by the same company. Not the full neck, though. I forbid it. :) Just kidding, but I still think a horse would be more comfortable and just as warm without that fabric running up its neck.

[luv2show]

Thanks for the imput guys. :D

The Xander is the one I was considering before I posted this. I think it's the one I'm going to get him. The one SWMS recomended on that page, sounds good too... it is warmer but i don't think he needs one that heavy... especially when he's not going to be wearing it outside... there *might* be the odd time. The barns pretty nice inside. I like the Xander Raspberry and Black on for him :D

[WashingtonBay]

No, Rashad would sweat in his when he was in a stall. It never gets too warm in our barn, though. It's not insulated and it's right on the prairie, so it's quite nippy in there at night in winter. Even with that he still would sweat on the shoulder and hip.

Well, I guess I would use that as the basis for when to advise FW to switch over. Clearly it was heavier than you needed in the barn.




JB... I've actually not bought one that is that high in the neck, but I certainly would if I was still clipping the neck for winter riding.

We have the European neck for Bay and Cyn (didn't make it in the pony's size) that is higher than the standard, and it really does keep rain out of the neck hole when it's really wet out. (below)

[JackieB]

JB... I've actually not bought one that is that high in the neck, but I certainly would if I was still clipping the neck for winter riding.


Oh, I guess that makes sense. I didn't think about clipping horses.

[shewasmyshadow]

All the horses at our dressage barn were clipped, but most often they clip the underside of the neck/body. That's where the sweat comes from. They never seemed to get cold. I would always feel sorry for them, but they didn't seem to mind it. They wore those basic turn-out sheets and then they put a liner in there when it got real cold.

Luvs-Do you clip your horse?

[luv2show]

Hey guys! Thought I'd give an update (sorry it's taken so long!)

I ended up buying the Xander Winter Blanket for him in the raspberry and black. Im going out right now so I'll take a picture of the fit! :D
& No, don't worry, I'm not just starting to blanket him, see ;)
http://www.baywindfarm.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=594&pictureid=7005

The only reason why I'm not using the purple and pink one anymore is because JackieB will hurt me...
LOL Juuust Kidding!!! :D :D It's not mine, I'm borrowing it :)

And no SWMS, I am not giving him any kind of body clip this winter.

[Gem's Mom]

I love the blankets I got for my boys. They keep them on all the time and they're out in the majority of weather. Very durable. I've seen them run, jump and bite while playing with each other and no tears. They also lay down and roll all the time. And they're on sale right now!

http://www.horse.com/Defender-1200D-Contour-Blanket-BEQ60.html

[luv2show]

Glad you like your blankets!
I can't order from there; they don't ship to Canada.

I'm hoping Tanner looks good in his new one, be back in a couple hours! :)

[cloedoll]

I hope Tanner's new blankie fits. :D