My new mare has had issues with skin infections. For next winter, I plan to clip her, but I am also wanting to get her better, more breathable blankets and/or liners. Something that won’t allow her to overheat with the crazy temperature swings we have now days. A liner that is easy to wash might be best. Ideas?
What blankets haven’t worked for you in the past?
I find Rambos just amazingly breathable on my horses–for example, that one time where surprise 60 degree temps caught me away from home after I’d left a horse in the extra heavy supreme (420 grams!) I was sure she’d be a sweaty mess, but was dry.
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I second Rambos. We use the turn out sheets w different weight liners. Easy to change, easy to wash, and breathable. The plus for the liners (for me) is that they are not so heavy to throw on.
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So far she has just worn Canadian Horsewear, and a liner that was fairly cheap (Spencer?). She has never gotten sweaty, but must be slightly “moist” to get the skin issues.
I was wondering about the silver/white Buccas? So many blankets are dark coloured, which I don’t get.
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Dark because mud!
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We don’t get a lot of mud at 20 below though…just seems it would be extra warm during the heat of the day vs at night when it is more needed to be warm.
Yes you are in snow so silver blankets are ok. We are in mud with cloudy days so overheatung from sun is not an issue.
Shires makes a liner, I believe it’s called tempest. They wash up really well, seem breathable and are more affordable. Easy to attach to most sheets.
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I have the Rambo Airmax cooler and it is an open cell type knit that I use as a drying sheet in summer and can be a stable blanket or under liner or cooler in colder months. It’s about the warmth equivalent of 100g liner due to the air pockets in the mesh. Rambo was making one bundle that included this material in a liner. Not sure if you can buy it separately. I think it would work best for keeping her dry compared to the usual nylon liners, although those are easy enough to keep a few on hand and wash frequently so at least the layer at the skin is kept cleaner.
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The Bucas Atlantic - and I also believe the Bucas Smartex are amazingly breathable. My mare stayed comfortable and did not sweat under her Atlantic when the temps went from 10 to 45. . .
Bucas is in my humble opinion is exponentially better designed than the Rambo.
Another blanket I would not be without is the Schneiders Tekno-fleece - which is great for fluxuating temps from about 32 to 48. . . it’s what I use when it’s too chilly for just a sheet but not cold enough for a medium weight. They also make great underlayers - if your mare is clipped and the temps are going to plunge below zero - put a medium on over that Teknofleece. The Teknofleece also offers a stable blanket option that makes a great liner.
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Thank you for the recommendations! The Schneiders does sound like a good option for a liner - I need to see if I can find it in Canada! Do you know what type of horse the Bucas fits? Or how the sizing goes? Nobody at my barn has one, and I couldn’t find any at the local store. The mare in question is a big bodied beastie. not too wide, but super deep chested. I am hoping to take advantage of end of season sales!
Well…I am given to understand that if you have a larger framed horse you would want to consider the Big Neck Bucas which is made for horses with deep wide chests. However if you call Toklat Originals (the Bucas dealer in the US) the customer service folks are very helpful and can likely give you great advice. They of course also have a website
To order from Schneiders go to www.sstack.com. I am sure they would ship to Canada. Good luck!
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