Using Chill Chaser/Anti-Sweat as Blanket Liner?

[4LeafCloverFarm]

As I was digging through one of my storage tubs in the loft of my my barn searching for my old Navajo saddle blanket, I came across three Dover Chill Chaser/Anti-Sweat 100% cotton waffle weave sheets (one for each one of my boys). Completely forgot I bought them 16+ years ago - back in the days where I’d buy all sorts of stuff, like money grew on trees, when we first bought our farm.

Well, I’m much more practical these days. Is there any reason that I couldn’t use one as a blanket liner? Currently only one (my senior) gets blanketed. We have some overnight temps in the 12-18° range ahead. Typically he’s in his med weight Rambo + his Miller’s turn out sheet on top. I’m thinking that 100% cotton sheet would be warmer. He has a Clyde-type winter coat (thick, long, woolly mammoth). He’s also started to shed a bit.

Anyway, just wondering if there’s any reason not to re-purpose this 100% cotton sheet (that’s never been used) as a blanket liner. Thanks in advance.

[CanteringCarrot]

I wouldn’t. I feel as though there is a reason as to why all/most modern blankets are nylon lined. Especially if the horse is moving around a lot, anything other than a smooth nylon is more prone to rubbing and not moving with the horse so well.

I really don’t think a cotton sheet offers much warmth at all. Something with actual fill is what offers warmth that is windproof.

[Texarkana]

I do it all the time in extreme temperatures or if a heavier blanket is out of commission temporarily. My woven knit cotton coolers (Dover’s Chill Chasers) have nylon at the shoulders, so the rubbing mentioned above is not an issue. They also definitely provide warmth, just like a woven knit cotton shirt provides a lot of warmth an an underlayer for people. When I reach up underneath the blankets, it definitely seems warmer than the turnout sheet + turnout blanket layering combo, which I also do sometimes.

My only complaint is that they stretch and warp easily. I always wonder if they start to bind the horses, as the neck/chest gets stretched out after extended wear. The horses never seem uncomfortable from it (believe me, my one mare would complain), but it is the reason why I don’t do it regularly.

The positive is that they don’t generate static as badly as fleece or nylon liners.

[Highflyer]

Make sure it fits. The ones I used to have were horrible-- you could fit two horses in the neck opening and the butt was tiny.

[mvp]

Everyone else in this thread has pointed out the pros and cons.

In a pinch, I’d absolutely use a cotton waffle weave cooler. That (and also an irish knit cooler) will give you the bit of loft in that material that is trapping warm air next to the horse.

The stretchy quality and friction of that material against the coat will make it want to slide back only. This set up is a shoulder rub waiting to happen.

And may I congratulate you on having a navajo and wanting to dig it out for use?

[Lusoluv]

I will use a fleece or wool cooler as a liner, but not cotton. Cotton holds moisture so if your horse plays and sweats, if there are any leaks in his outer blanket, if he lays down and the cotton touches mud/snow/puddle, or his body heat and moisture in the air are just right, the cotton will get (and stay) damp. Fleece and wool wick away moisture and won’t hold it. Cotton holds water - that’s why it’s a great absorbent and we use it on wet horses in summer when it’s the only layer and the air is warm.

[beowulf]

I use coolers as an under-layer in extreme temperatures. Most often when it is bitterly cold and I need just a little bit more warmth than the midweight provides (we don’t have heavy-weights) since we don’t clip. I have the Dover cooler too and found it’s better than fleece brands. I’ve also used a regular fleece cooler (Pessoa) as well but the fleece tends to stretch under the blanket weight.

I have found that a Dover cooler + rain sheet provides similar warmth/cold resistance as a ~100 weight turnout. It seems to depend on the weight of the cooler underneath - the Pessoa does not seem as warm.

The real reason the insides of blankets are nylon is the water resistance to rainn that falls down the horse’s neck and gets under the blanket (durability being a second reason) – I wouldn’t use coolers under a rainsheet if it is pouring rain because the cooler will get sodden, but it is a good and flexible choice when you have some extreme weather or snow, and need a little more oomph than your normal blanket can provide. Or for instance when you have a horse stalled for an injury and/or sickness/colic that might need extra warmth.

But now I have 100 weights and really like them, so don’t use the coolers as often. The 100 weights are very versatile and come in handy especially when we have windchill but no precipitation…

[4LeafCloverFarm]

@Texarkana

I do it all the time in extreme temperatures or if a heavier blanket is out of commission temporarily. My woven knit cotton coolers (Dover’s Chill Chasers) have nylon at the shoulders, so the rubbing mentioned above is not an issue. They also definitely provide warmth, just like a woven knit cotton shirt provides a lot of warmth an an underlayer for people. When I reach up underneath the blankets, it definitely seems warmer than the turnout sheet + turnout blanket layering combo, which I also do sometimes.

Mine are lined at the shoulders as well. Interestingly, Dover still carries the exact same Chill Chaser sheet I have in the black/green combo. They are on sale right now for like $25!

@mvp

And may I congratulate you on having a navajo and wanting to dig it out for use?

That recent thread on the Navajo pads got me started on that search to make sure I still had it and that it hadn’t been eaten. And low and behold, it was in perfect condition!

@beowulf

I have found that a Dover cooler + rain sheet provides similar warmth/cold resistance as a ~100 weight turnout. It seems to depend on the weight of the cooler underneath - the Pessoa does not seem as warm…

I was thinking the same thing. I don’t have 100g blankets for my senior and buying one is not in the cards this year. But having an inbetween combo of the cooler+sheet would be handy. I just have a Miller’s Everest turn-out with mesh liner and a 200g real “original” Rambo (both are 20+ years old). And pairing the cooler with the Rambo seems it would be warmer than putting the sheet over the Rambo.

And I will make sure it fits properly before using it. And no, won’t use it if its pouring rain - only when its dry out. I have become a big fan of re-purposing things as I’ve gotten older, wiser and, sadly, poorer. :lol:

[mvp]

@4LeafCloverFarm

Mine are lined at the shoulders as well. Interestingly, Dover still carries the exact same Chill Chaser sheet I have in the black/green combo. They are on sale right now for like $25!

That recent thread on the Navajo pads got me started on that search to make sure I still had it and that it hadn’t been eaten. And low and behold, it was in perfect condition!

So you know I still have (and cherish) my monogrammed Navajos, right? And darn-tootin’ I posted on that thread. My barn colors are black, green and lavender. Plus, I’m cheap. Those Dover black-in-green waffle weave things have been on my list forever just because, yanno, black and green. So I finally bought one (30 years too late, like my damn navajos) and put some lavender trim on it, plus the monogram… so that I could “fashionably late” to the whole party.

[Laurierace]

I will use an antisweat under a blanket if the horse isn’t completely dry before blanketing and it works well. I could see using it for warmth as well. Be aware those chill chasers are as durable as wet Kleenex though so don’t count on them being a long term solution

[4LeafCloverFarm]

@mvp

So you know I still have (and cherish) my monogrammed Navajos, right? And darn-tootin’ I posted on that thread. My barn colors are black, green and lavender. Plus, I’m cheap. Those Dover black-in-green waffle weave things have been on my list forever just because, yanno, black and green. So I finally bought one (30 years too late, like my damn navajos) and put some lavender trim on it, plus the monogram… so that I could “fashionably late” to the whole party.

I posted on that Navajo thread too. I’m the one in the full suede-out chaps, handmade sweater, 1970’s brown velvet helmet, Barnsby saddle, and of course, my Navajo pad on the pretty dark bay TB mare. And <gasp> I’m riding in my docksiders in those pics too! I am the complete “Thowback Thursday” picture… still! :winkgrin:

Sadly, only one of my Navajos made it - but at least it was my favorite one. But they still sell them, so somebody is still using them! Its hard to find the 32" X 64" ones that you fold in half. I know, I’ve looked recently. But I have my eye on this one - but no $ so soon after Christmas to purchase…

https://www.teskeys.com/tack/pads-blankets/blue-desert-dream-saddle-blanket.html

[fordtraktor]

@4LeafCloverFarm

I posted on that Navajo thread too. I’m the one in the full suede-out chaps, handmade sweater, 1970’s brown velvet helmet, Barnsby saddle, and of course, my Navajo pad on the pretty dark bay TB mare. And <gasp> I’m riding in my docksiders in those pics too! I am the complete “Thowback Thursday” picture… still! :winkgrin:

Sadly, only one of my Navajos made it - but at least it was my favorite one. But they still sell them, so somebody is still using them! Its hard to find the 32" X 64" ones that you fold in half. I know, I’ve looked recently. But I have my eye on this one - but no $ so soon after Christmas to purchase…

https://www.teskeys.com/tack/pads-blankets/blue-desert-dream-saddle-blanket.html

Love everything but please buy a new helmet!!!

[4LeafCloverFarm]

@fordtraktor

Love everything but please buy a new helmet!!!

LOL Yes, I finally bought a new helmet last year.

[4LeafCloverFarm]

So the cotton sheet doesn’t fit under his Rambo. The Rambo is so closely fitted (especially in the rump) that the only thing that fits under it is his Sleazy shoulder guard. However, it does fit nicely under his Miller’s Everest turn-out sheet, which is much more roomy and not as fitted.

So I now have a combo between just the sheet and just the med blanket. I guess for below 20°, I’ll do my typical stack of his Sleazy, then med Rambo and his Miller’s turn-out on top. He seems just fine in this configuration. It just looks ungainly with all the belly surcingles and leg straps. But he doesn’t seem to mind.