Monday, August 22, 2016

I've Got 99 Problems and Blankets Are One

I need to get some different blankets for Stinker this year.  The ones I got him last year were giving him shoulder rubs.  I tried a couple shoulder guards, but neither helped and one made it worse.  Initially, I got the SmartPak Ultimate Turnout blanket, because destructo pony destroyed his previous blanket before he moved down here.  The 10 year warranty seemed awesome.  I had one with a neck cover and one with the high neck that is supposed to prevent rubs.  Both rubbed.

Part way through the winter I acknowledged that the blankets just weren't working, so I asked on a saddlebred page about blankets.  The overwhelming response was to try a StormShield V-Free blanket.  So, I got one of those and it rubbed too.

Second attempt.

I think my problem is two fold.  One he is a saddlebred and they have large shoulder and withers compared to the rest of their bodies.  Secondly, he is built so uphill everything slides backwards.  This makes it tight on his shoulders and gives him rubs.


So, my questions are:

  • Are there other blankets that will fit him better? (Please note I am measuring him properly)
  • Am I delusional in hoping that I can find a better fitting blanket?
  • Is there a shoulder guard that would actually help?
  • Is there another trick to prevent shoulder rubs?


22 comments:

  1. Irish has always been difficult- he's so thin-skinned that his hair rubs off with a hard glance. Last year I bought him the Weatherbetta saxon blanket and he had no rubs at all. I was really pleased with it. https://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/12513798_10153921455523593_2004783676848605629_o.jpg- he's the one on the left. It had a lot of shoulder room.

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    1. I second the weatherbeatas! Apollo is long with giant shoulders, he used to be so hard to fit but the WBs do the trick. :)

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  2. What shoulder guards did you try? I had problems off and on with Ruby one winter that immediately stopped when I started using this shoulder guard from Tough 1: https://www.amazon.com/Tough-1-Tough-1-Nylon-Shoulder/dp/B00G1IW7XI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1471865900&sr=8-1&keywords=tough+1+shoulder+guard

    I've been lucky in that I have a variety of blankets (mostly Weatherbeeta) that get rotated through my horses and I've had very few problems with rubs (mostly just Ruby that one year haha).

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    1. I would have to go back and look but I'll check that one out.

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  3. I have more of an observation than advice. I always have trouble with blankets sliding back (lighter weight ones on Penn, and all blankets on Mikey- shark fin whithers). The Mio Flysheet I got for Penn this summer doesn't have a detachable neck, and has a double velcro closure on the chest. It is the ONLY blanket I've ever gotten that doesn't slide back. I feel like all blankets will slide, but I'm just impressed with how this one doesn't pull on his shoulders. There's something about the double velcro closure and no edge at the whither that doesn't let the blanket get caught on his whithers and pull. It might be something to look into. I know a neck blanket isn't a good option for warmer winter weather, but it might be worth looking into.

    Schneider's also sells cut back shoulder blankets- you may want to look into those. They might have one with a large cutback area. If his blanket isn't being pulled by his whithers, maybe it won't rub his chest/shoulders.

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    1. I would be ok with a attached neck because he kind of fails at growing hair and I am planning on totally clipping his neck. Plus this is probably our last fake winter.

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  4. I know some people who spray Show Sheen or equivalent on their horse's shoulders. The idea being that if the blanket slides along the hair more easily, it will rub less. Might be worth a try if the blanket part of the equation isn't working.

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  5. Fiction has gigantic shoulders and thin fur so he rubs like crazy. The only blankets that have NEVER rubbed him, are the Amigo Mio blankets. I have both a rain sheet and a fly sheet and there have never been any issues. I find the chest is very generously cut.

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  6. Dee has a full set of Amigo winter blankets and they don't rub at all. I do find her rain sheet (not Amigo) rubs so perhaps I lucked out on the first blankets I bought her. She's not quite as uphill as Stinker but it may be worth a try. I go mine from Divoza, super cheap.
    Also, TurtleNeck blankets may be a good bet. They are super indestructible and have a stretchy neck that has worked really well on the horses I've used them on.

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    1. I have not heard of TurtleNecks but that name is awesome! And now there are two votes for Amigo.

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  7. Haha good luck!! All I can say is that if you find something that works, buy everything they have in stock. ;-)

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    1. Don't jinx me! I'll probably end up with something hideous because that is the only thing that fits him... 😂

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  8. High neck blankets don't rub the points of Pig's massive shoulders. He isn't super uphill, so we don't have that problem, but he is really bulky in front. I have a Rambo high neck, and it fits him beautifully. It's the only blanket he doesn't make as many ugly faces at.

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    1. I like the "as many" qualifier. Silly chestnuts with all their opinions! :)

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  9. Have you looked at Schneider's? They have a bunch of different designs for different confirmations: http://www.sstack.com/horse-blankets-and-sheets_waterproof-turnout-blankets/

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    1. The Storm Shield that I tried second was one of theirs. It was recommended to me by saddlebred people, but maybe I just need to explore their other options.

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  10. I would definitely try a shoulder guard!

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  11. From all the blankets I've tried on my 4 very different shaped body horses I've found the Rambo Wugs to fit the best overall. They are expensive up front but some of mine are going on year 10 this year which in the long run has been the least expensive! I bought Chimi a WB one year and it was great but then the next year it gave him horrible shoulder rubs and then the piping got ripped off by one of the other horses. I finally broke down and got the Rambo for him and some of the others last summer on sale and was very happy all winter. I have found in the past that the Rambos outlast the Mios and Rhinos so if you're able to buy Rambo I would. If for some reason they don't work on your guy I'm sure you could resell them bc Rambos are nice blankets!

    Good luck with your blanket search!

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