Quarter sheet without cutout

[RidingAround]

Hi all, I have a monoflap dressage saddle & monoflap eventing saddle and would like a quarter sheet that will lie flat beneath it/doesn’t have the keyhole cutout. After reading a bunch of previous threads, so far all I’ve found is thermatex’s quilted exerise rug, which looks great. But I’m also interested in shopping around for wool options, lighter versions for slightly warmer weather, and waterproofed options for riding in inclement or windy weather.

Here’s the thermatex for reference: https://thermatex.co.uk/products/quilted-exercise-rug?sku=18062549861482312584952600

I know there are also a variety of quarter sheets available that sit behind the saddle and tie on to the billets, like so: https://thermatex.co.uk/products/quilted-quarter-rug
But that hasn’t worked well with my monoflap.

TIY!

[beowulf]

Welcome to COTH!! I am following because I cannot stand the keyhole cut out and much prefer the square rugs. I also have a monoflap and it bothers my OCD so much how I can never get the edges – which are usually reinforced and stiff – flat!

I did have a lightweight quarter sheet a few years ago that fit your no-key hole requirement, I think it was from Horze. I like it fine enough but it’s very thin and not quite what you’re looking for.

[RidingAround]

Thank you, and SAME!! I am crazy about getting the sheet to lie flat. Any kind of cutout bothers me because the reinforced edges either work their way under the saddle and create a pressure point and/or bunch up. I know folks sometimes wear the keyhole style over their legs to avoid that–and no judgement here–but I absolutely will not do that for safety reasons, especially when I’m out on the XC course.

Just looked into horze and found the two more typical styles (keyhole, or flat sheet that only covers the quarters/doesn’t come all the way to the front of the saddle): https://www.equinavia.com/blankets/horse-blankets-and-sheets/quarter-sheets

[Highflyer1]

Gee Tac Fleece Lined Horse Exercise Sheet 5’3 https://a.co/d/0g1oOMO

https://www.fourstarbrand.com/product/custom-wool-quarter-sheet/ (the exercise blanket option)

Or you could probably buy a throw blanket and sew on girth loops and a tail cord.

[luvmyhackney]

I loved my thermatex exercise sheet until my horse outgrew it. It’s fairly warm and doesn’t flap around when flatting.

I have a wool exercise sheet that is fine, but flaps around more than the thermatex did.

[jvanrens]

Not sure if any of these are what you have in mind, but Greenhawk ships to the US.

Exercise Sheets

[goodhors]

You might check the Driving horse vendors for Driving quarter sheets. The front edge is not cut out, because it needs to fasten to the back of the harness saddle. They come in a variety of types, since driving takes place everywhere! Some models may have slots or holes to put over the rein terrets to hold them in place. Those could fit under a saddle easily.

We won a quarter sheet with the cutout, use it for a winter driving apron. Wind-proof nylon with fleece lining, it is nice to keep your legs warm! Unclipped driving horses would overheat with quarter sheets.

[Against_All_Odds2]

Lemieux does a nice one

Clima-Tek Exercise Quarter Sheet Navy Horse

[joiedevie99]

Agree. My wool ones flap a ton more than Thermatex.

[Martina]

Lemieux als has this one which they call a blanket but show as an exercise sheet.

https://www.lemieux.com/us/horsewear/horse-rugs/wool-blanket-navy-grey#selection.size=6706&selection.color=6658

[MissusS]

I have been considering a quarter sheet but didn’t love any of the ones I had found so far… but the thermatex is a very interesting option!! Some very dummy questions:
Do you ride with a saddle pad under it? From the website photo it doesn’t look like it.
How do you measure?
How breathable is it?

No suggestions for wool or other lighter options, I have been struggling to find one that I like for ages!

[SolarFlare]

Just a note that all of these linked are keyhole quarter sheets with cutouts for the saddle. It might be hard to tell in photos but I just worked blankets at Greenhawk at the Royal and I can confirm they are not flat exercise sheets

[atlatl]

Granted I’m in So Cal, but on those chilly mornings when I want to keep the horse’s back warm between unblanketing and actual work I use a quarter sheet. Once I mount, I just wrap the keyhole around my seat and legs until we start trotting at which time it comes off anyway.

[RidingAround]

I can’t speak to the weight/breathability, as I’ve never had one, but it looks like you can use a thermatex with or without a saddle pad (I would probably use with a saddle pad under it, but that’s my preference). They have a measurement guide linked and it looks like you can cross-reference your horse’s usual blanket size to their quarter sheet size. From reading around, I gather that their quarter sheets and exercise rugs tend to run large. And since their sheets are made to order (and expensive to ship to the U.S.), I’ve been considering reaching out to them for their recommendation re: what size I should purchase for my horse, if I choose to go with them.

Thanks to everyone else for sharing these various options!

[SolarFlare]

I thought of a couple other options (these are all in Ontario for my fellow Canadians but US riders could probably get them shipped and still be reasonably priced with the exchange rate).

Ride Every Stride (caution - I’ve had pretty bad customer service more than once so they’re on my don’t-use list. Stuff is great when you finally get it but have fun chasing them down to get any update or just to get your stuff in a reasonable time frame)

Custom Equestrian Products

Brubachers Harness - these guys are amazing. In Mennonite country and they make all sorts of custom blankets and harness, along with stock items.

www.brubachersharness.ca (photos show a keyhole style but they can definitely make one without - just email or call them. They’re also on Facebook)

[Pehsness]

Oh, I’ll second Brubachers. Amazing customer service.

I have this one https://botcanada.com/product/sammy-exercise-rug/

It might be the keyhole design you don’t like… I find it lays well.

[SolarFlare]

I have the same one, and also have the loin rug (not sure if BOT makes that still). I use the Sammy under both my monoflap dressage and my regular flap jump saddles with no issues. I actually put it under both flaps of my jump saddle (between the flap and the saddle pad) because otherwise it does tend to shift. Under both flaps, or under the monoflap, it stays put.

[crthunder]

I have two. One is by Draper Therapies and the other is Curvon (I think that’s the brand anyway). They both lie nicely under the saddle. I use the wool blend Curvon the most. Neither flap if I use the tail cord.

[MissusS]

So this thread has sent me back down the rabbit hole of quarter sheets… my on-again-off-again quest continues. I think I personally would prefer the keyhole design, BUT I did come across this baker fleece quarter sheet which may be of interest:
https://www.bahrsaddlery.com/blankets/quarter-sheets-exercise-sheets/5a-baker-fleece-quarter-sheet-20444-c.html

I’m in Canada so you likely can find an option that is closer to home for you

[Mouse_amp_Bay]

This is my go to favourite quarter sheet, I just find myself reaching for it constantly.

Nice and warm, great weight to not flap around, fairly water resistant. OP - I feel you on the monoflap issue!! If I’m not taking it off (aka long winter hack), I use this one a little unconventionally. I’ll do the saddle pad, then the flaps of the quarter sheet but I pull the back seam up and over the cantle/back of the saddle. The side parts lay flat with saddle on top. I find that keeps the sheet flat but also avoids that annoying gap which lets all the cold air in!