Re: Blankets vs. cooler

["C Eyler" <eyler@mindspring.com>]

I wouldn't send my gelding back out to pasture this way, but while he's
munching hay in his stall or a small paddock, I put a polarfleece cooler on
him and then add on two elastic surcingles.  That way his wet neck is
covered and the cooler absorbs the moisture from where the saddle and cinch
had been, but he can't trip on the cooler.  Even better is to layer two
coolers, so that all the wetness is wicked to the outer garment.
[Unfortunately, I shrank the wool cooler in the washer.]

Cindy

----- Original Message -----
From: <RhndLev@cs.com>
To: <ridecamp@endurance.net>
Sent: Friday, December 01, 2000 11:02 AM
Subject: RC: Blankets vs. cooler


> It has become apparent to me that if I plan to ride at all this winter, I
> need a cooler or different blanket for my horse.  We are so out of shape
(or
> she has become anxious from being so herd-bound during her convalescence)
> that she is sweating on short, easy rides.  [I'm not racing her home or
> anything.  We walk as quietly as possible for the last mile before home or
> the end of the trail.]  I do not feel comfortable putting Special into a
> trailer or back out into the pasture even slightly damp.  At home, I have
> been putting my elderly horse's blanket on Special and letting her eat hay
in
> a corral.  I check on her periodically until she's dry and then turn her
out.
>  However, this is ticking off the elderly mare who appears to resent
sharing
> her blanket.
>
> Before I invest in a blanket or cooler, I thought I would check for other
> people's opinions on which is better for our situation.  I do not wish to
> leave her blanketed all winter.  I do not wish to hand walk her dry,
> particularly.  I had some concerns about turning a horse loose with a
cooler
> on because they don't look terribly secure to me and I was afraid Special
> might get it tangled in her legs.  However, she does most of her sweating
on
> her neck, shoulders and under the saddle.  So, a blanket will not cover a
big
> portion of the area where she's wet.  Any thoughts out there?
>
> Rhonda and Special
>
>
> =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
> Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net.
> Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/RideCamp
> =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
>