Re: RC: Cold ride questions

[mtnriderII@webtv.net (Mary Sutliff)]

As you found out an air mattress is not a good insulator.  Before
getting involved with horses my husband and I did a lot of backpacking
and climbing (mountains) and as I'm a cold sleeper maybe I can give you
some hints about how to keep warm.  A good sleeping bag is a start and
under that bag you should use a closed cell pad.  Put the air mattress
under the pad if you want.  There is a really good combination air
matress foam pad called a Themarest.  Comes in several different
thicknesses and lengths and is made by Cascade Design in Washington
state.  You can buy these at most sporting goods stores or through
catalogs or online at companies like REI or Cabelas.  You can put all
this on a cot also but the closed cell foam pad is the key.  If you're
still cold take a hot water bottle inside the sleeping bag.  I used to
do this all the time when we did winter camping.  I just put very hot
water, not quite boilng, in a plastic water bottle and put the bottle in
an extra wool sock and it really helped keep me warm.  If your horse has
hay to munch on all night and a cozy blanket the horse should be able to
keep warm easily.