As the evenings get cooler and the rain comes, its time to start thinking about fall blanketing. Our staff have put together a few of their favorite tips, tricks and products to help you shift from summer into fall.
Don’t put all of your summer sheets into storage just yet.
Horsewear’s waterproof fly sheet liner is compatible with most Rambo and Amigo flysheets and summer sheets. This liner is waterproof, breathable and offers a great solution for hot afternoons and intermittent rain in the shoulder season.
The Rambo summer series turnout (0g) and Autumn series are great blankets to keep around in early fall. The 100g liner is perfect for keeping the chill off as temperatures start dropping overnight.
Assess your horse’s blanketing needs for this year.
Every horse is different, and as they age their blanketing needs can change. Variables like turnout (how long your horse will be out for, and their access to shelter while they are out), clipping (horses that are clipped require blanketing as a substitution for that lost hair) and age all impact how you should blanket.
Assess the blankets you already have
After assessing your horses needs, look at the blankets you already have. Check your blankets for loose fasteners or stitching on the straps and make sure they are clean. Repair or replace anything loose.
If you board your horse, ensure your blankets are all labeled. This could be with sharpie, colored tape or a more sophisticated blanket tag (lots of cool blanket tag options on Etsy!).
Our staff love the Horsewear liner system, because it eliminates the need to have a blanket of every weight and the liners are easy to wash in your washing machine at home. What your horse needs will vary, but the list below is a general guide of what our staff recommends.
A good quality rain sheet, with a backup just in case- the best rain sheet is the one that fits your horse best, but our staff love the Rambo blankets for their super tough fabric, V front closure, long lasting waterproof coating and great warranty. As a bonus, they come in a reusable waterproof bag that is perfect for off season storage of your blanket.
100g, 200g and 300g Liners- for most horses in our relatively mild Victoria climate 300g of fill is sufficient in our cold snaps. However, if you know your horse runs cold, is living fully outside or is fully clipped you may want a 400g liner.
The Horsewear Dry Liner or the Airmax liner- these liners are perfect for drying a wet horse without creating a damp environment inside their turnout blanket. If you board and ride your horse after work or school this liner is a must have- it will save you so much time compared to a traditional cooler.
If you think you’ll need some new blankets or liners, buy them sooner rather than later. We often get a run on blankets as soon as Victoria gets a cold weather snap and can sell out of some sizes within the day. We also sell bundles that provide savings- check them out here.
Check and Adjust
Just because you feel cold, doesn’t mean that your horse is cold. Even though you have the best intentions, over blanketing your horse can interfere with their natural thermoregulatory mechanisms. Check your horse regularly for rubs, sores or any evidence of sweating.
Last few Tips
Keep an eye on the weather forecast, because as we know it can change quickly. When in doubt err on the side of slightly under blanketing rather than over and make sure your horse is always clean under their blanket, all straps and fasteners are secured and when closing a V-front blanket the snaps are facing inward (towards your horse), we don’t recommend turning your horse out in a stable blanket or really any sheet with fill that is not waterproof- they get wet, muddy and tend to not hold up well to turnout ‘acrobatics’.
Neckpeices, or ‘hoods’ are a great way to up the warmth of your blanket (and keep your horse’s neck clean) consider getting one without fill, and a 100g weight hood for cold snaps.
Our staff are always happy to chat about your horse’s blanketing needs and walk you through the brands we carry.