Blankets for very wide shouldered horses??

[Libby416]

Hey COTH! For my upcoming move to Durham NC from South Florida, I’ve decided that my mares decade old blankets need to be retired for some that are actually still waterproof. That being said, she is of course a very hard fit, which is why I’ve put off replacing them for so long. She’s a hanoverian/holsteiner mare, built very wide through her shoulders, but she still has some wither.

So for those of you that have a horse that is built a bit similarly, what blankets have you found that fit well?

And, for those of you running your own boarding operations, is it so terrible when clients bring in the blanket systems?

I only ask because I have a Rambo Optimo stable sheet for her that I did purchase in the last two years that fits her decently, and they only make that line with the interchangeable liners (one of the only things Horseware makes that fits her ok).

Any guidance is appreciated! Thank you!:tickled_pink:

[ladyj79]

I love turtleneck blankets

[equinelibrium]

Check out anything that’s built for Quarter Horses - Big D, Schneiders, etc. The QH cut from SmartPak (Rockin’ SP) has worked well for my mare.

My trainer does all the blanketing and she does not do anything with liners since they’re so time consuming when you have 20+ blankets to change. She’s older and doing all of the buckles and snaps can be hard on her hands, especially in frigid weather. But other boarding barns I’ve been at have been willing to work with them.

[tipzythegreat]

I’ve got a very stocky TB that gets shoulder and hip rubs from certain blankets. I like the Pessoa blankets. I have a heavy weight and a sheet that are the same style that fit him well.

When these have run their course, I think I may try one of the high cut wither ones as he does have high withers and has to wear a sleezy.

[cloudyandcallie]

Rambo has always fit my European old style warmbloods as well as fitting my Ottb mares.

[ElementFarm]

I have the Amigo Bravo 12s for my WBs too. Even the wider/old fashioned ones. I find they fit very well, and don’t rub anyone. They are a little tight for DH’s full Clyde mare. She can wear one, but it’s not ideal. For horses that wide, Schneiders makes a “big fellas” line for drafts.
I second the SP Rockin line designed for QHs. they are wider through the shoulders, though I do think they fit a little strangely through the neck. They don’t stay waterproof as well as the Horsewares, but they also have a guarantee, so you can trade them back in for new waterproof ones.

[atl_hunter]

@Libby416, I have found that the Rambo Supremes work really well for horses with large shoulders. These are the Rambos with the more v-shaped front closure (not the Christmas red and green model - that style did not work for my guy at all). Of course, these are also the most expensive, but hey, they worked for me!

[Jumper_Princess1988]

The original Rambos fit my TB beautifully but rubbed my WB gelding on the shoulders. I switched him to the Amigo XL line and the rubs disappeared!!!

[Skip_s_Rider]

We bought a SmartPak Rockin SP for our big bodied almost 16 hand Appendix QH. What a mistake. It didn’t fit well through the withers, and it was short like a mini skirt. It didn’t even come down past the bottom of his belly. Fortunately, we only paid $35 for it, but I would never buy another one.

[joiedevie99]

Amigo XL.

[paint_hunter]

Big D. Designed for stocky QHs. My old paint used his for years and my current 17 hand APHA/TB wears his in size 82. His picture is my avatar (thinking that is the correct term, lol). They are fitted through the shoulders and around the hindquarters. (Big D also makes a “contemporary style” that comes up over the withers and is not fitted)

[fourfillies]

Another vote for the Amigo Bravos. I relied on Rambos for decades for the big shouldered guys but when their quality took a dive I tried one of these. Holding up well with similar or a bit better fit although the drop is a smidge less generous. If you poke around you can find nice deals on last years colors.

[SonnysMom]

I hate the blanketing system with liners. Very time consuming to change the weights.
I have an Arab cross that has very wide shoulders and shark fin withers. I prefer the combo neck or medium neck with him. Standard necks put too much pressure or his withers and they get sore. Schneiders work well. They do have a Vtek standard neck with wither relief that I have as a sheet but haven’t tried the blanket. The Schneider’s combo neck/high neck work well. I have had one that wasn’t waterproof but they replaced as it was under warranty. I was able to donate the non-waterproof one to a rescue.
Weatherbeeta seems to work well- once again combo neck or high neck.