I need to replace my mare’s cooler, and I’d like to get her something decent that will go the mile. What would you suggest - wool or fleece?
I’m a long time fan of wool, but the modern technical fleeces are interesting. Budget does not run to a super high end wool one.
Thoughts?
Wool. It’s so much more absorbent and wicking than fleece.
I like the big square wool coolers that come up to their ears. I’ve never bought one–my mother always won them in year-end awards, so we’d use them for all the horses.
Lucky me, my young horse is allergic to wool! He itches and rolls, desperate to get out of it. He got a Rambo fleece cooler for Christmas, and he really likes it. The fleece is THICK and SOFT, everything about it screams “durable” and “quality.” It’s kind of pricey, but it’s REALLY nice. Large fits my 16.1hh narrow OTTB gelding. If you have something taller or more substantial (like a big thick WB) go for XL.
The only downside is that it doesn’t cover their neck. It has belly straps unlike the big square wool coolers, so it has a snugger fit and dries the horse really fast. The big square coolers always seemed useless at getting belly sweat.
I prefer wool too. The only advantage of fleece is that it is easy to wash. My horse really gets a bad case of static electricity in the winter though and just hates getting shocked when you take the fleece cooler off, so I stopped using them. Wool doesn’t seem to have the same problem. It’s just something to consider if you live in a dry cold climate.
Fleece just catches all the stray hay and hair and is a bitch. Wool for sure. I put a wool cooler over an irish anti sweat. I got nice wool show blankets from ebay for $35. Totally worth it.
I really like the Rambo Newmarket fleece-- it’s very heavy and good quality. It does depend somewhat where you are and what you use it for. I’m in Maryland and don’t tend to compete or trailer much when it’s really cold, and often don’t body clip, so what I actually get the most use out of is the thinner fleece or acrylic/wool blend coolers, or Irish knit sheets. I actually hate the square coolers and would rarely use the fitted ones with necks (again, mostly trace clipped horses or not super cold temps.)
I guess it depends on what your budget is, too. If you want something heavy, I like the Rambo fleece better than most of the $100-ish wool coolers, but if you have a $150-$200 budget I’d probably go wool.
Wool all the way. I have a couple fleece coolers that I don’t mind, but it’s not easy to find one that doesn’t stretch - most stretch a ridiculous amount, pulling at the shoulders and slipping behind the withers. Augh! HATE that.
If you want a quality ‘system,’ invest is an Irish knit as well and layer it under the wool. Warm, keeps moisture off them and they dry off the fastest. I love the Triple Crown Irish knit, but can’t afford the wool cooler. I have a bunch of these, instead, and they’re quite nice (Greenhawk is local to me and these coolers go on sale frequently, but they do ship): http://greenhawk.com/wdItemDesc.asp?strilhID=Web&strmdNumber=BLC0027&stricSKU=BLC0027
Wool. But it shrinks if washed and I’ve not washed my ice one.
I go to Value Village or Sally Ann and pick up Queen Sized wool bed blankets
and fasten them with a carpenters clamp around the chest. The horse stays warm and the steam evaporates and sits like hoar frost on the top, but the horse is dry underneath. My old one got washed so many times it felted and shrank each time, and now the dog sleeps on it, but it only cost peanuts.
Fleece - - static and pilly.
Wool. Hands down. Warmer, wicks better, and doesn’t stretch and pull. Not that hard to take care of, either. I wash my wool sheet on the delicate/wool cycle and hang to dry. It’s ancient (bought it second hand) and looks great. It has often been MY blanket during late night nursing duty.
[QUOTE=xitmom;7424518]
I prefer wool too. The only advantage of fleece is that it is easy to wash. My horse really gets a bad case of static electricity in the winter though and just hates getting shocked when you take the fleece cooler off, so I stopped using them. Wool doesn’t seem to have the same problem. It’s just something to consider if you live in a dry cold climate.[/QUOTE]
This. I prefer wool too as I hate the static from fleece! And my horses aren’t big fans either :no:. Fleece is easier to wash as mentioned. I have layered fleece over wool numerous times - that works if you really need to get a horse warm and dry and the weather has been super cold/wet out.
The Rambo fleece sheets are gorgeous and the material is unlike any other fleece out there - heavy duty and thick. I have a really nice Weatherbeeta wool cooler that I love but they don’t make them anymore (very reasonably priced too).
I will layer a fly sheet over my wool sheet to keep the shavings/hay from sticking and that works great.
I got a wool cooler a few years ago, but barely use it. It seems well-made and decent quality, but I don’t know how it would hold up to frequent use and washings. But it was definitely a good deal: $50 or two for $70.
Thermatex.
http://www.thermatex.co.uk/thermatex/Thermatex_Multi-Purpose_Cooler_Rugs.html
Best of both worlds, and really last. Also machine washable. I got mine off of www.tackoftheday.com years ago for $99 and found another one at Horse Country on 5th in Warrenton, VA for $119. They run big.
Fleece because you can wash it.
Wool. If you buy a fleece and your horse rolls in it (in shavings) you will understand why you should have gotten wool to begin with
I have some of all but found a big square wool cooler at a silent auction this fall and picked it up for $25. It is line with Irish knit. And it is HEAVY. Don’t know I will ever NEED it, but if I do, I have it. (I have used it for ME already but not for a horse.)
My most favorite is one that you can’t get anymore. It is called a Sweatless by a company called Wilsun that is ;ong since out of business. I don’t know what the fabric is but it is wicked light but keeps their heat in, allows them to cool, but even when it is warm out they don’t sweat in it. Not great for COLD weather but other than I love it. We have 2 and they are at least 20 yrs old. Bought them at Rolex eons ago (pre 4* days).
Rambo newmarket fleece. https://www.smartpakequine.com/rambo-newmarket-fleece-cooler-3883p
It’s double thick and not stretchy. Not like normal polar fleece. Very warm and wicking. I use mine all the time. I’ve had wool sheets and they do not hold up nearly as well.
I prefer the big square wool coolers. My horse tends to get his neck pretty wet, and I like that the wool wicks it away the best. I have a couple of the fleece ones that while they don’t stretch too badly, they don’t wick well.
Wool. No matter the weather it will keep them toasty. Even if it gets a bit damp, it will keep them toasty. That is the nature of wool and why the Navy has used it forever.
I like the walking coolers( the big square ones). You can get them at Dover for around $70. I have two and they have lasted for years.
[QUOTE][/QUOTE]Um, if you can only have one, buy one you can wash is my advice. But I appear to be the odd one out.
I have some nice wool ones but they stay in the trophy racks where they belong, and I use my fleece ones I can then throw in the wash when I drop them in the mud. But I am one of those people that can’t help being covered in dirt, sweat and grime before my rides at shows. When I am around dirt, it gets on me and my stuff.
Not everyone has that gene. If you can wash a horse in red clay and walk away perfectly spotless – and I have seen you and marveled, so I know you exist – maybe you can use wool things too!
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