Neck Cover/Blanket Questions

[Wanderosa]

@joiedevie99

I consider them critical for clipped horses, and totally optional for everyone else. One of my seniors with neck arthritis seemed more comfortable wearing one too.

Yup. Anyone clipped wears a neck cover. I like the higher cut necks like Wugs for everyone else. IRCC, Cherry Hill had a theory about keeping a horse’s
neck warm while riding. She thought it kept them warmer in general than a quarter sheet.

[TWH_Girl]

@RoahsGirl

I use mine for rain probably the most, especially in the past few months here because we’ve had what feels never ending weeks of rain! However, I also have used it when it’s slightly cold, but windy and also when it’s not what I feel is cold enough for the 150 gram neck cover, but cold enough where I think my guy would prefer to have something on him.

I think you could absolutely use yours with the rambo sheet with a midweight liner on if you wanted to and I think it would work nicely for the temps you are talking about; especially if there’s any kind of wind going on, it’s going to block that out and add warmth in that way. Hope this helps!

Thanks, this does help! We are supposed to have some milder temps this week so I am looking forward to using it. Honestly, I feel like my horse is so much more comfortable and less stiff than in previous winters. Maybe there is something to keeping in some of that body heat.

[joiedevie99]

I sized down one for my TB with a pencil neck. All my WB’s have worn whatever size they recommended/packaged for the blanket size they wore. Horseware puts out a chart. I’ve got one right now that is ok in the Large that came with his 81", but ideally I’d order him an XL. My PRE has a much more substantial neck than a normal 72/75" horse. I have to order separates for him as I can’t even close the M neck covers that come standard with his blankets.

[4LeafCloverFarm]

My guy wears an 84"/85" blanket. Horseware Ireland says Extra Large hood for that size blanket.I emailed them to see if they had dimensions/measurements they could send me. I’ll put a tape in my pocket for AM feeding and if I remember to, I’ll measure a bit while the old guy is eating his breakfast. Thanks @RoahsGirl for taking the time to measure yours!

[TWH_Girl]

@4LeafCloverFarm

I’ve decided to go with the Amigo Bravo 12 neck cover (150g). It seems to be the exact same price everywhere right now ($54.95). They are offering free shipping with $50+ purchase at Horseware Ireland (US) and I can get the navy with red piping to match my ancient “original” Rambo blanket. They also have the navy/red at Stateline Tack, but no free shipping.

Now to size - Large or X-Large? The sizing charts say that a horse that wears a 7’ blanket uses an X-Large neck cover. My guy is big, no doubt. Just worried if the XL is a bit big I won’t be able to adjust it enough. Is it better for it to be a little big or better for it to be snug?

Not so good pictures taken in his pasture, Oct 2018, before his entire winter coat was in. He’s 17.2 (or thereabouts - do horses shrink like us humans do as we age? I haven’t sticked him recently), has put on a bit of weight (not a lot) since photo was taken.

Are you sure you will be able to attach the neck cover? I bought a WB neck cover last year that not only didn’t match, but that I couldn’t attach either. Back it went. Is the navy and red Rambo you have the original medium weight? I have a few of those and don’t think you can attach liners or hoods them. There are tons and tons of sales going on right now though; I know Adams has a lot of Horseware stuff with good prices.

[4LeafCloverFarm]

@TWH Girl - my blanket does not currently have anywhere to attach a neck cover. I will add once it arrives and I can assess where the rings need to go. I’m quite handy with a sewing machine or manual sewing. I grew up in the 60’s/70’s - back when you learned that kind of stuff. I darn my cotton socks (not buy new ones), sew hems, stitch tears in blankets… all that stuff. No funds right now for a new blanket+hood combo. His old blankets are just fine.

[one1horse]

I think the sizing for these really does depend on the horse/breed. I have a 16hh Appendix who wears a 78" in Horseware. I got him a large for this neck cover, and while it is pretty roomy and definitely could be smaller width wise, he definitely needed the length of the large (meaning ears to withers length).

[TWH_Girl]

@4LeafCloverFarm

@TWH Girl - my blanket does not currently have anywhere to attach a neck cover. I will add once it arrives and I can assess where the rings need to go. I’m quite handy with a sewing machine or manual sewing. I grew up in the 60’s/70’s - back when you learned that kind of stuff. I darn my cotton socks (not buy new ones), sew hems, stitch tears in blankets… all that stuff. No funds right now for a new blanket+hood combo. His old blankets are just fine.

Gotcha. I grew up in 70s and 80s but never did quite get a hang of that sewing thing!

[fanfayre]

I actually size my HW hoods based on neck length, and all the different HW’s are the same length. For eg, my mare wears a 78" (whether Rambo, Rhino or Amigo) but I buy the L neck for her because she has a longish neck. My BO’s mare wears a 81/84" but a long would be too long on her so she wears a Medium neck. Thank heavens for mix and match (otherwise we both buy the combo and exchange the necks :lol:)
Hope that helps!

[Lord_Helpus]

My 28 year old has a blanket with a high neck (comes to the middle of his neck). He has had it for years. I can’t think why he has not trashed it yet. He, and his BFF who is 27 and REFUSES TO WEAR ANY BLANKET, come in when the ‘feels like’ is in the teens (or it is raining). They are losing a little this winter, but will not eat extra hay if I leave it out.

My clipped horse has an added neck piece — the tight kind with the snaps. The hang-y down kind with velcro are a PITA and do not keep the neck warm. They are not worth the time it takes to put them on.

[Absolut_Equestrian]

@TWH Girl

Honestly, I feel like my horse is so much more comfortable and less stiff than in previous winters. Maybe there is something to keeping in some of that body heat.

Neck covers can seem a bit silly at first, but I think that once you’ve used them it’s hard to stop. While living on the east coast, I preferred to have them on any horse that was clipped, was older/needed help maintaining weight, or that you just wanted to keep a little cleaner :yes:

Now I live in coastal Southern California, where it might get into the 30’s at night sometimes. I hadn’t considered a hood to be necessary for my clipped horse that spends the night in a stall, but caved and got one because the very sweet groom was so concerned about him being cold.

I have always done various stretches with my horse before tacking up at 6:30 every morning, and would always hear his neck “pop” when doing side stretches in either direction…until I started using the hood. He’s not that old, but I think any horse can get stiff standing in the stall overnight. I tried a few nights with the hood off, and back to snap crackle pop. Something about keeping the neck warmer does seem to help with keeping the neck more flexible!

[Lieslot]

Our senior of 25 years young :winkgrin: , says he needs it when it’s windy, lol.
No kidding, but if I turn him out on a windy day without neck cover or only a half neck he goes stand in the shed. Attach neck cover, he comes out and stays out.
That used not to be the case in previous years though, he never cared for a neck cover, only last two winters has he made this clear.

[Anna.m]

I love my hoods for my guys!
We live in Ontario Canada and winter is brutal.
They live in their winter blankets from -15 and lower without the hoods. But the minute it gets down to -25 with the wind chill they get their hoods on. I find they stay warm and will spend more time out of their shelter with the hoods on in the wind. This weekend is going to be -30 before the wind chill. Its gonna be a cold one! they will be in hoods for sure!

[4LeafCloverFarm]

Finally remembered both the tape and to measure my guy. He’s going to need the X-Large (41" long and 65" around). He was curious about my measuring efforts. Well, he’ll find out what it was for soon enough! Just hope he likes his extra clothing.

[vxf111]

Both of my warmbloods who wear an 87 in Rambo need the extra large neck hood. My warmblood that wears an 81 in Rambo would be swimming in the extra large and even the large is plenty generous

[Libby2563]

Thanks for posting those hood measurements! I’ve found Amigo’s neck cover proportions to be really strange.

A couple years ago I ordered an XL for my 1,500-lb WB because he has a rather long neck and the L didn’t go far enough towards his ears, but omg it was soooo baggy! Two or three of his necks could fit in there, width-wise! I ended up returning it and sticking with the L. I hope it works better for you.

My pony’s 65" Amigo 1200D came with a neck cover and the length is okay but again, you could fit another pony in there! (Wait, maybe I just need another pony… ;))