Blankets, Etc.--Let's Talk Brands
Now that I've coughed up the truth about my bulging collection of horse clothing (see previous post, "Confessions of a Blanket Addict"), let's delve into the subject of favorite brands. I'll share mine and hope you'll reply to do likewise. It'll be our own version of Consumer Reports. Here's what I have hanging on all those tack room hooks:
* Big "D", blankets and sheets alike. This is my standard go-to blanket brand. It's tailored to fit stock-type horses, which is what I have. A Big "D" stays in place without shifting or twisting, has quality hardware and durable fabrics; some of my Big "Ds" are 20 years old and still in service. Love the show-coat lining in the Big "D" All American.
* Toklat. I only have a couple of these, but they're the workhorses of the entire lineup. Just about indestructible!
* Robinhoods. This is my favorite brand for neck warmers, the neck-only coverings that've replaced head-covering hoods at my barn. The horses seem to find them more comfortable than full hoods, and they're much safer--no eye or ear holes to get caught on anything to hang a horse up. I've tried a couple other brands and they're were skimpier on cut and less durable than the Robinhoods. Robinhoods also makes my preferred brand of "equine undies," those stretch-fabric garments that serve as mane tamers/blanket liners. If your objective is to maintain a show coat, these are outstanding items to reach for.
* Kensington. My brand of choice for fly sheets, as they wear like cast iron. I have yet to have had the horse that could tear a hole in one.
*Schneiders Adjust-a-Fit. These blankets and sheets have a great feature that allows you to adjust the shoulder-area fit--which is great for young horses whose shoulders haven't yet developed or for older horses that aren't very wide in front.
* Weatherbeeta Arion. A heavy-duty, all-weather turnout garment that features blanket and neck warmer in one. It's a bit of a chore to put on (picture yourself slipcovering a sofa), but once it's on, it STAYS on and gives tremendous coverage.
* BMB. Like Big D, this brand has good stock-breed fit, quality hardware and good fabrics. I especially like the brand's satin, full-body, Pro Show Cooler, as its hook-and-loop closure system makes it easy to slip off right before a class
* Sergeant's. I have several of this brand's blankets and sheets, purchased from good sales offers, in fun, bright, trendy patterns and colors. They're attractive and wear well. The only drawback: They're cut very full through the shoulders and thus don't always fit the more narrow-fronted critters.
OK--your turn! Post the dish about your faves. I'm sure there are other great brands I haven't yet "buyed and tried," so send your tips this way.
posted by Juli Thorson @ 11:58 AM
12 comments
12 Comments:
Hi Juli
I don't have any blanket tips, but I am hoping that you might have some for me. I have never used any horse blankets before, but now my 25 y/o mare (Blaundee) is much thinner than she used to be and I would like to blanket her this winter to keep her comfortable and to help her hold her weight. She has always lived on pasture 24/7 with thick woods as protection; she is very unhappy inside a barn. I know that I will need a turnout blanket, but I have no idea about the right "style" (she is not a stock horse), and I am worried about snow and rain getting inside. I know this was totally unsolicited, but I've been an H&R reader for a long time, so I respect your experience and knowledge. :) If you wish to email me, my addy is blaundee_c@yahoo.com
Blanket Brands;
I had a Big D blanket that was used for two winters. I sold my horse and than it was used as a tire cover for a R.V. It was 15 years old when I removed it from the boat trailer tires it was now on and replaced it with the joke of "water resistent" professional choice wrangler blanket for my new quarter horse filly. My horses live outside and waterproof and durable are important. The staps of the Big D have disengrated but the outside is still waterproof and sound.
To blaundee- do not let the term water resistant fool you into thinking that your horse will remain dry. I even used several cans of the stuff you spray tents with to waterproof them and my horses were still wet.MAKE SURE YOU BUY WATERPROOF!!!
Schneiders Adjusta-fit blanket liners are a must have. It makes your favorite blanket a ' better' blanket. It stays put, is easily washed in your washing machine and keeps the coat polished. I will never be without one. Mary Ann Wells
I'm a Schneider's fan too. Incredible quality, and I love that special cut that doesn't rub the withers!
Hi Juli, my question is similar to blaundee's,,,,, I have a gaited horse that is difficult to blanket fit using stock horse type blankets. Do you have any suggestions regarding Brands of blankets that are sturdy and fit saddle type horses.....? Thanks, pat
Pat:
Schneiders' blankets, with the Adjust-a-fit feature, have worked well on the non-stock horses I've had. Also, Weatherbeeta blankets have more of a "European cut," for horses with high withers and narrow fronts.
When it comes to sturdiness, look at the denier rating. The higher the denier, the tougher the fabric. So if you're chosing between, say, something with 600 denier and 1,000 denier, the latter is going to be more durable. Generally speaking, it doesn't pay to buy budget-priced blankets. The cost's usually brought down by virtue of corner-cutting and overseas manufacturing. Any blanket is only as strong as its fastening hardware, and that's one of the areas where corners get cut.
--Juli
Julie--
I vote for Big D also--When I bought my first one 26 years ago, I thought $125 was a ridiculous price to pay for a horse blanket; however, since that first blanket has been used on several horses of all ages and is still usable, I must admit it's probably one of the best buys I've ever made.
Blaundee - I also have a senior citizen that needs additional protection from the elements ... after 31 years he has consented to being in the barn with everybody else at night, but I do blanket to help him maintain body condition over the winter. I LOVE Schneider's blankets - there may be better blankets out there, but I've yet to find a better value. My old guy has a reasonably priced, yet top of the line Schneiders light-weight waterproof, breathable turnout blanket, and also a Schneiders quilted blanket liner and a Schneiders polarfleece blanket liner/fitted cooler, so I can add and subtract layers to accomodate any temp from the 50's to below zero. All three pieces have the "adjust-a-fit" feature which is very useful in customizing fit or allowing the same piece to fit different horses as the need arises. This layering system works better for him than keeping a mid or heavyweight blanket on him all the time, because the thickness of his winter coat tends to vary each year. The only thing I may add this year is the neck cover that matches the turnout blanket - if he stands in the lovely Ohio winter rain too long, water does run down his neck and into the inside of his clothing. According to the Schneiders catalog and website, a neck cover should help rememdy this problem. (Of course, in the interest of full disclosure, my other horse AND my haircoat challenged boxer mix mutt have more indoor and outdoor clothing than they could ever hope to wear......um, Juli, can I join Blankets Anonymous with you?)
Hi Juli: In the high desert, the sand and juniper trees found in turn out areas will trash a lessor blanket. The blankets that take the beating and come back for more are any of the Rambo line....I'm a Rambo addict. They stay put, their weather resistant qualities are outstanding and my 16 hand 1300 lb quarter horse has yet to wreck his after three years of winter wear. They come in varying weights...as high as 400+ grams no doubt meant for Alaska cold. My horses do wonderfully on 330 gram weight. They're comfortable in them to minus 20. Neither horse is being shown right now, however if I had a stalled horse or one with limited time on turn out I'd stick with BMB or Big D as I have done in the past.
It's gotta be Weatherbeeta or Rambo wug for me, cut to go over the neck (halfway up the top of the neck) and no less than 1,000 denier. Up until a few weeks ago, my horses have always lived outside 24/7 - without any shelter at all some years (depending on where we were living at the time). So, anytime cold, wet weather was due to roll in, the blankets were a must. Thankfully, East TX doesn't get too cold.... medium fill is all we've ever needed. Other brands haven't held up to the abuse (the rip-stop fabric of Weatherbeeta & Rambo turnouts held up to even barbed wire fences) and the regular neck cut allows rain to get inside. The only prob I've had with Weatherbeeta is the TAkA - the hardware broke in the first season... so, I cut the strap and bought a blanket surcingle. I paid more for that blanket than any other, and would not do it again. The $120 Weatherbeeta I bought is just as good, better even since nothing is broken on it.
And yes, make sure if you want waterproof, it says waterproof AND breathable. And if it's gonna be out in the pasture alot, get 1,000 denier rip-stop fabric. You'll be glad you did.
oh, and to add to that, I guess I should say that my horses that I've used the Weatherbeetas & Rambos on are stock horses (foundation QH), one gaited horse and one welsh pony. I think that high neck cut maybe makes the blanket fit wider horses better.... never had any problems with fit on my horses.
Rider's International and Weatherbeetta! They are really comfortable, tough, and don't cause rubs. Weatherbeeta fly sheets are nice, too.
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