Riding Blanket Advice

[joiedevie99]

My horse is body clipped, and I hack around the farm early am before heading into the indoor to work. I hate the feeling of sitting on a bulky cooler, and my horse hates the straps clanging around, so I try to avoid taking a full size cooler out on our hacks.

I’ve got two different styles of quarter sheet, but neither is working for me. The normal kind with velcro at the withers has such a giant hole that when I velcro it around my waist, half of his hindquarters is exposed in the hole. I believe it’s a Rambo. I also have two quarter rugs that velcro to the billets and sit entirely behind the saddle. They are great for real cold weather when I leave them on for the full ride, but hard to take on and off from the saddle with a monoflap.

Can someone point me to the product I need? A quarter sheet with velcro at the withers, but a very small hole to just go around my waist? Thank you!!!

[Foxglove]

This is what I use --I made mine myself --simple sewing --my horses are not clipped, but this keeps us both warm. It is a full circle riding skirt --mine is canvas on the outside, fleece on the inside, two pockets. I used velcro to fasten at the waist (in the front). My friend made hers of oil skin and wool --but she’s into being authentic. I think she used hooks instead of velcro or buttons. I still have the directions, it you are interested. It’s off a blog post.

[Amberley]

I have a BOT sheet with the cut out but I do not put it around my waist. I put i over the saddle flap and under my leg and it Velcros in front of me over the top of the saddle/ wither area. When I’m ready to take it off I undo the Velcro then slide it out from under one leg at a time and then drop it. I removed the tail string to facilitate this.

If I were riding in one for the entire ride I’d use the old-school under the saddle style as that’s by far the least annoying imho.

I also have a skirt but after getting tangled in some trees more than once I’ve decided it’s for people who live on the wide open plains only.

[PaddockWood]

I love my genuine wool Saratoga wool riding cooler. Velcros around my waist and drapes back around he horse. I don’t feel it when I ride and have never had an issue with it.
https://www.doversaddlery.com/saratoga-wool-riding-blanket/p/X1-24582/?srsltid=AfmBOopBouDjOliRhXZnkiRm2qR5LQyrBvIJ_Fu8aIXsPcGhCH9an0M8

[dqtastic]

Another vote for a riding skirt! You can find custom options on Etsy, or if you’re handy, ideas on how to sew one.

I love mine because it covers both of us and the heat from the horse keeps you very cozy. I’m surprised they are not more common. They do take a moment to get used to because you’re riding with all the extra fabric, but it’s great training for your horse and so worth it for the cozy factor.

[Pippigirl]

That looks pretty cool! Was it hard to make?

[Foxglove]

@Pippigirl --the hardest part for ME was the math! One needs to “solve for Pi” --but there is a way to do that using the web —The skirt is three pieces, pockets in the seams, and a waist band. One sews the skirt, then the lining to the skirt, adds the pockets and waist band --presto! Skirt is done.

Here’s the link to the directions: > https://thebeggarequestrian.blogspot.com/2020/12/equestrian-riding-skirt-how-to-guide.html

I made my “pattern” out of newspaper and have subsequently used to to make two ball gown skirts. --I prefer to make a separate top for my ball gowns (hunt ball) so I can put the top on before I have my hair done. In the late afternoon, before the ball, I pull on my skirt. I love the full circle --my husband is an accomplished dancer and when he turns me in a circle, this skirt is really something! Sadly (grumbling) this year’s hunt ball theme is 1920s --and I REFUSE to make a 1920s gown --to me that was the ugliest fashion ever! Further --unless one is doing the Charleston or the Lindy Hop --the dresses are difficult to dance in. So, I’m going to be the odd person in my traditional ball gown.

[Simkie]

That riding skirt looks like the coolest thing ever!

But @joiedevie99 if you tuck your “cutout too large” quarter sheet either under your legs or under the saddle flaps, rather than wrapping it around your waist, does that help it fit any better? I know that won’t help keep YOU warmer, but might work for your horse until you find another solution?

[MissusS]

Another vote for a riding skirt. A barn friend made me one with softshell outter and polar fleece inside. She also added a zipper inside the waistband to add an optional zip-in wool layer but I’ve never needed it. I live in the Canadian prairies so it gets COLD in the winter (-30c is fairly normal in the winter, it can get to -50 with the windchill).

[Pippigirl]

That is a beautiful dress!!!