Best/favorite wicking winter cooler

[Aleuronx]

We are starting to get colder nights and a frost or two already. New horse wasn’t in work last winter so I didn’t bother to spring for a new cooler for her. Of course she is slightly larger than my last horse so what I’ve got doesn’t fit.

So! What is everyone’s current favorite coolers? This is for a cold weather climate/nonheated indoor so no scrims please but legit sweat wicking coolers that will also keep ponies warm through a New England winter while they dry. I probably won’t be clipping her this winter so neck cover is more optional versus necessary.

Price wise is variable if you rave about!! Show me what you got!

[CanteringCarrot]

I really like a good old fashioned wool cooler. But I don’t like that I cannot just toss it in the washing machine so easily as I can with fleece. So I keep a few Rambo Newmarket coolers around. They’re a nice thick fleece and so a good job wicking. They wash well too. I’ve bought a few on sale over the years and they are definitely my go to.

[Scribbler]

I like a real wool cooler. I got mine second hand. It’s like a very heavy old fashioned wool blanket. I prefer full criss cross belly bands.

Some wool coolers don’t have belly bands. I like to know that if it is left on unattended for a few hours it won’t be sliding around.

Fleece is good on a very hot horse but it doesn’t generate heat on a cold wet one. Wool will make and keep a damp horse warm.

You can see it wicks becauses the outside of the cooler gets beaded with water.

[DinkyDonk]

Any fitted fleece coolers; I prefer the Smartpak ones because the neck opening is smaller, so they don’t slide back and cut into the withers.

[x]

I like old fashioned wool. Schneiders sells a fitted wool cooler that is reasonably priced.

[DinkyDonk]

@Scribbler

I like a real wool cooler. I got mine second hand. It’s like a very heavy old fashioned wool blanket. I prefer full criss cross belly bands.

Some wool coolers don’t have belly bands. I like to know that if it is left on unattended for a few hours it won’t be sliding around.

Fleece is good on a very hot horse but it doesn’t generate heat on a cold wet one. Wool will make and keep a damp horse warm.

You can see it wicks becauses the outside of the cooler gets beaded with water.

I will just double up and use 2 coolers at once. Wool is great, fleece is washable and cheap to replace.

[soloudinhere]

I like the Rambo dry rug.

[demidq]

I have a very old wool cooler I was given- it is almost like thin felt! It is grey and red checkerboard so mare looks like a picnic table but it does a great job of drying her quickly. If she is really wet, (bath, rain) I will put a string cooler AKA Irish cooler under the wool one for more air circulation.
In the old days we would “thatch” a sweaty horse under a wool cooler with straw to act as an absorbent and improve air circulation while they dried. I have not found that hay works as well.

[c0608524]

Silly question… what’s so hard about washing wool?

[fourfillies]

I just bought this one on the raving rec from a barnmate who bathes a grey horse for winter showing occasionally. She swore by its wicking properties and washability. Has a neck cover and its a sized item so free returns.

https://www.doversaddlery.com/amigo-all-in-one-cooler/p/Z1-240087A/

[BigMama1]

I love the Rambo Dry Rug Supreme (it’s not a shavings magnet like the original version) to speed up drying, and on a cold day throw a fleece cooler on top for added warmth

[Casey09]

I like the Wik Smart Cooler. It’s a little tough to figure out at first, but does a good job.

[Aleuronx]

@fourfillies

I just bought this one on the raving rec from a barnmate who bathes a grey horse for winter showing occasionally. She swore by its wicking properties and washability. Has a neck cover and its a sized item so free returns.

https://www.doversaddlery.com/amigo-all-in-one-cooler/p/Z1-240087A/

What’s the material of this, do you know? The description isn’t clear, fleece? Jersey? Microfiber?

[clanter]

@c0608524

Silly question… what’s so hard about washing wool?

we never had any problems washing, just do not throw them in the drier (with heat) otherwise your pony or miniature horse might like its new cooler

[Renn_aissance]

@c0608524

Silly question… what’s so hard about washing wool?

You have to have Woolite on hand and a big enough drying rack. It’s just a nuisance.

I do use my good wool dress sheet on a regular basis (no sense not using the good china- the horse is retired, he might as well wear it at home). I don’t think you can do better than good wool for warmth and drying, and it doesn’t incubate static shock. If you prefer fleece, there are two brands I think do a good job at making a plush fleece with limited static and excellent wicking properties: Eskadron and Rambo’s Newmarket line. I don’t know if Eskadron is still making their plaid fleece coolers but you could check eBay. Both will dry a horse and keep him warm.

[fourfillies]

@Aleuronx its “brushed polyester”. Fills kind of like a really thick microfiber cloth, if that makes sense

[xeroxchick]

I like to use a cotton anti sweat and put a wool cooler over that.