I have a rack in my trailer full of different coolers/sheets for different conditions. First, I don't blanket my horses at home, so they are fuzzy. I only blanket when they are ridden. I rarely clip, as my horses are typically shed out by the time I am ready to do any actual rides. N.CA is very wet, so we don't have many rides in winter. We have to go to NV or PS region to ride in winter. Last winter when I did Eastern Mojave, I did not clip, my horse was fuzzy, but by the time he was sweaty, it was warm outside..I did send a cooler to the vet check, and did use it.
At a ride, I blanket overnight before a ride if the temps are cooler than they are used to at home. I might use a light cotton cooler if temps are 20-30 degrees cooler, and a polar fleece if more than that.
I do use a rump rug at the start of a ride if the am temps are cool, or it is raining..pulling it up as the horse warms up.
At vet checks, (and after training rides) I will use a cotton anti-sweat sheet as a first layer. It is mesh and COTTON so it quickly wicks the moisture away and my horse dries.
If there is wind, I will put a light cotton sheet (or a wool cooler) over the mesh to keep the breeze off, but be careful you don't overheat with this combo
If it is raining, I will replace the cotton sheet or wool cooler with a waterproof lightweight blanket over the mesh anti-sweat.
The night after a ride, if there is no precipitation, once my horse is dry, I will use a polar fleece, if there is, I will add a waterproof blanket
I personally prefer all my covers to be lightweight, so I can layer them according to conditions.
If you normally blanket at home, or if you routinely clip, you will need heavier blankets, but your horse will dry faster as a trade off.
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> To: ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx > From: gp@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx > Subject: [RC] rump rugs > Date: Sun, 6 Jan 2008 20:58:48 -0700 > > newbie alert... be gentle :) i'm getting with the rump rug but what > cooler type sheets do folks use at checks/finish... i know tis > weather dependent. Just looking for suggestions. > > happy trails > cid and Gazi-man who likes to be warm and toasty > > GP > gp@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx > Fish Creek House - Horses know nothing of money, status, beauty > or accomplishment... Horses see only our hearts, and they > accept or reject us based on what they find within.... In short, > horses do naturally what humans can pass a lifetime without ever > mastering. > http://www.fishcreekhouse.com > > > > =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= > > Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. > Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp > Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp > > Ride Long and Ride Safe!! > > =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= >
