Mares peeing on blanket tail cords

[Texarkana]

I’ve never had this problem as seriously as I’m experiencing it this year. When they urinate, it hits the tail cord, causing it to splash all over them. And the extended deep freeze has made it challenging to keep their legs and tails clean.

My one mare’s blanket is about 2" too long for her, which I’m sure is contributing to it. But the others are in the same blankets they have worn for years and are splattering like crazy this winter.

I’m not super keen on cutting off the tail flaps, but would consider it if it is guaranteed to solve the problem.

I’ve tried tightening the straps. I’ve tried loosening them. Taking them off isn’t an option, because then the blankets can flip over their backs in the wind or when they roll. What else am I missing?

[Jealoushe]

Dont pull their tail over the cord. Leave it outside the tail. That’s what my mom does. Myself, I just deal with it.

[Texarkana]

@Alibhai’s Alibar thanks! They are Horseware blankets (Amigos and Rambos), but I think only my one sheet has the loop on the flap for the tail cord… maybe because even my newest blankets I purchased from overstock closeout sales and the loop seems to be a recent addition. I’ll have to double check, maybe I can add one myself.

I saw that bungee tail cord (recently had to buy a replacement), but worried it might become a flying projectile if it got caught on anything. Are my concerns warranted or is it not that stretchy?

[Texarkana]

@Jealoushe

Dont pull their tail over the cord. Leave it outside the tail. That’s what my mom does. Myself, I just deal with it.

But if you do that, you lose the function of the tail cord… can’t the blanket flip up over their backs then?

[Jealoushe]

@Texarkana

But if you do that, you lose the function of the tail cord… can’t the blanket flip up over their backs then?

Never happens with a high quality blanket. At least not that I have seen, like I said I don’t do it that way but my mom does and she never loses her blankets.

OP could also just go with leg straps instead.

[Texarkana]

I’ve seen it happen with Rambos… which I think are pretty high quality…

[pologirl27]

Honestly the only thing I’ve ever seen work is go with the criscross straps. Putting the tail outside the tail cord seems to result in a tail that eventually slips back under the cord.

Either way, I’d rather clean a tail cord than a sheath. #teammare

[CanteringCarrot]

@Texarkana

@Alibhai’s Alibar thanks! They are Horseware blankets (Amigos and Rambos), but I think only my one sheet has the loop on the flap for the tail cord… maybe because even my newest blankets I purchased from overstock closeout sales and the loop seems to be a recent addition. I’ll have to double check, maybe I can add one myself.

I saw that bungee tail cord (recently had to buy a replacement), but worried it might become a flying projectile if it got caught on anything. Are my concerns warranted or is it not that stretchy?

It’s not that stretchy. I don’t think it’s much of a concern at all. The bungee is inside a plastic tube of sorts.

[merrygoround]

@Texarkana

@Alibhai’s Alibar

I saw that bungee tail cord (recently had to buy a replacement), but worried it might become a flying projectile if it got caught on anything. Are my concerns warranted or is it not that stretchy?

They aren’t THAT stretchy. And they are a whole lot easier to clean than the cloth straps.

I would either add a loop to the underside of your tail flap or keep the cord over the tail.

Others I know of have had regular legs straps added. You really need someone who knows horses and blankets I would think to get it done correctly.

[luvmyhackney]

Have leg straps added. I hate the tail cords.

[WildandWickedWarmblo]

I always put tails outside of the tail cord on mares and on geldings. I do end up with some mare manure on some tail cords, but the cords are plastic covered.

You can make your own tail cords if you need to. Buy some soft cord and add snaps, or buy a bungee cord and adapt the ends.

You can also buy replacement tail cords from many companies if the cords that come with your blankets are4 too loose or too tight.

You can buy tail cords on eBay also.

[ryansgirl]

I hate those Rambo bungee tail cords - they came with some of my Rambos and i immediately took them off. I buy cheap snaps at the hardware store and attach a piece of baling twine. The snaps are about $1 each and can be opened/closed with one hand and gloves on. The single piece of baling twine is a lot less area to hit when my mare does pee. When dirty enough I just cut off the twine and get a new piece and attach it to the snaps again. Never had an issue.

I refuse to buy Rambos anymore but those bungee straps are a bitch in the winter. Cheap plastic and winter are not good together - the snaps either break or freezes which makes them hard to clip on.

I remove all leg straps/tail cords from any blankets I use except the top layer - which is a must to keep blankets from flipping over with the wind.

[CanteringCarrot]

@ryansgirl

I hate those Rambo bungee tail cords - they came with some of my Rambos and i immediately took them off. I buy cheap snaps at the hardware store and attach a piece of baling twine. The snaps are about $1 each and can be opened/closed with one hand and gloves on. The single piece of baling twine is a lot less area to hit when my mare does pee. When dirty enough I just cut off the twine and get a new piece and attach it to the snaps again. Never had an issue.

I refuse to buy Rambos anymore but those bungee straps are a bitch in the winter. Cheap plastic and winter are not good together - the snaps either break or freezes which makes them hard to clip on.

I remove all leg straps/tail cords from any blankets I use except the top layer - which is a must to keep blankets from flipping over with the wind.

Interesting. I agree that the snaps can be a little difficult but I almost never unsnap them. I just pull the tail through and over the strap I only unsnap if broken or I am changing it for some reason (changing from cloth to plastic strap).

[mkevent]

I think the fact that the tail straps are wide and flat is why the mare’s urine catches on them. Especially when the urine comes in such copious amounts.

I made my tail cords by folding the tail strap in half lengthwise and sewing them together. This made the cord thin enough so that the urine did not splash as much when it hit the cord.

It was worth doing it that way rather than adding leg straps. I hate leg straps with a passion!! YMMV.