Anyone use them and like them? I see Schneiders offers this style.
I like them for layering but only if the horse is easy going and puts its head down.
For horses that like to grab the front buckles of their blankets they’re pretty nice. Other than that though, I like having the front buckles/closures as I find it easier to use those vs getting it over their head.
I’ve had plenty of stable sheets and blankets that were closed front, and they were fine. I don’t know how I’d feel about turn-outs though. I like the blanket to be able to be removed easily should the horse get into some sort of trouble in the field. But if a horse and/or its buddies tend to bother the buckles on the front of a turn-out blanket, I can see the appeal.
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I had a few custom made this way. I love them for layering as theres less bulk at the chest. I have some light weight stable blankets in 100g with closed fronts and I just put a rain sheet or heavy blanket for turn out (depending on weather) and remove the top layer when they come back inside. Love the closed fronts for this! A bit more of a pain when you want to ride or remove it though as you have to undo crossties, but totally worth it to me anyways. I 've had mine for several years now and still love them.
I have a Schneiders liner that is over the head. I love it and wish they made it in turnout. He doesn’t fit in their open front stuff but for some reason the closed front fit great.
I have a closed front stable sheet that I LOVE - it fits absolutely perfect. I probably wouldn’t do a closed front turnout or anything though. The buckles are a good safety feature really, and also the turnouts come on and off a lot more than the stable sheet.
I have the fleece turnout in closed front. I love it! It fits awesome. Less bulk since I use it as his stable sheet base layer before they turn the heaters on. I like that it’s waterproof so it’s easier to keep clean and no static. It helps that pony has been in several barns where they never undid the buckles, just put on all the blankets over the head. So, he’s very chill about the process.
I only blanket in extreme weather. My horse can be hard on his blankets. When he had a blanket that fastened in front he chewed the straps and ripped them off. The closed front turnout has been great for him. He mostly leaves it alone (did chew the tag off the front!) and I got a liner for the very worst weather.
