I’d love some suggestions from Friesian owners! I am looking for a 150-200 weight turnout for a high necked Friesian. He is sporty not a tank. He’s wearing a Rhino wug right now but I’m afraid it’s going to rub his mane. I’m usually a big fan of Horseware Amigo and Rhino for the warmbloods.
I know about Schneiders, and I appreciate that they try to offer a high neck blanket, but I usually find their blankets to be stiff and heavy and damp with too many buckles to do up.
Thanks for reading!
I don’t currently have a Friesian, but a client had one years ago that had sport bloodlines. I’d try the SmartPak ones - they are for sure cut too high for my appendix mare, but fit my Holsteiner youngster with a high set neck very well.
A popular blogger just posted a video review of Bow brand blankets. She doesn’t have a Friesen but the mane protection may be what you are looking for and the blankets look very adjustable
If you’re not looking for a turnout blanket, I’d reccomend Radon or Appointments USA. They are specially designed for upright head carriage. I’d order a size or 2 up, as they tend to run small. Check out some of the used Facebook groups for second hand deals.
I have a sporty built Friesian as well …I use Schneider’s Armorflex Warrior 220gm medium weight with the Cutback feature at the withers -this is a very nice blanket with the belly band and I have the attachable neck cover as well …however it weighs a ton …I’m using this because he’s body clipped …but I also use my 100gm Amigo with neck cover -I don’t ever have any mane rubbing issues …I find that any high neck style blanket will rub manes on any breed -my wb’s and Tb’s have gotten mane rubs from those high neck styles …I haven’t had any issues with Shires brand blankets /sheets etc or Weatherbeeta either …only mane rubs I’ve had have been with high necks
I don’t own a Friesian, but I have a friend that owns many, many Friesians. They swear by Rambo Optimos. The only ones that fit their high headed Friesians and did not rub out their long manes (and they tried them all). The owners are in PA and actually bought 10 of them from Canada and had them shipped to them (at a tack shop that I live near) as they were hard to find in the US a few years ago. They loved the blankets that much!
Radon or Bow Horse. Some Rambo fit, but the new ones rubbed by ASBs withers raw.
You can also add a no bow wrap over the withers to help perfect/reduce rubs.
I have a Friesian cross mare - she’s not a tank but not a lightweight either. She has BIG shoulders. I ordered Fryskware to try. https://www.fryskware.com/en/
Love the blankets - except - the neck covers are HUGE. You could fit two horse’s necks in it. Would be great if you had a super thick necked horse I guess. I ended up buying an XL Rambo Optimo (or was is Duo?) hood to use instead of the hoods that came with the Fryskware.
One of my favorite features is the chest closure - huge velcro square and the V-style closure like Rambo, but TONS of adjustment in the straps, where Rambo has no adjustment. So I can make adjustments to fit those massive shoulders.
Would be glad to take pictures of it.
Thank you Boomer the Fryskwares do look really nice, and made for Friesians!
Thank you to all who responded for the great leads. Now I have too many choices!
The Bow blankets are a very reasonable price point.
I just got a Bow Horse blanket in the mail this week for my TB. He’s definitely not the same build as a fresian, but I’m impressed with it so far. I’m intrigued to see how their neck cover design helps prevent manes rubbing out.
I need some guidance with sizing for the Bow blankets. My horse typically wears an 80/81 and is 16.1 with a very short back. According to the Bow blanket size guide he should be in a 75. I am super hesitant to order a 75. For those of you who have the Bow blankets how did you determine what size to order?
They run large.
My 16.2 ASB normally wears a 75” in Rambo or a 78” in other brands, his 78” is a touch big on him length wise, I could have sized down to a 75 but felt the shoulders wouldn’t have the same adjustability.
I would order a 78”.
thanks!
ETA - I purchased a blanket and fly sheet!
I have 2 Friesian crosses and both wear the Smartpak stocky fit blankets, sheets and stable blankets. I love them! Well made, fit well and very adjustable. They are cut back. I loved the LeMieux and had the blanket and sheet for my first cross and it rubbed her mane out. Highly recommend Smartpak. Good price, quality & fit.
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