No, not the alcoholic kind 
It’s already getting colder and I’m needing a new cooler for my horse this winter and I’m wondering what everyone’s favorites are. I currently have just a fleece one, but I am thinking I really want one with a neck since that seems to be an option now!
Wool/Fleece/Something else?! What’s in your locker?
Ahhhhh
OK then
Out of here…
I have a Rambo fleece cooler. My horse hates wool (it makes him itch) so he got a Rambo fleece instead. It’s REALLY thick high quality fleece and washes nicely. It wicks moisture and leaves him dry underneath. I’ve had it for 4-5 years and it still looks great. I do wish it had a neck rug (but I clip my horse so his neck doesn’t get too bad.)
I love my Centaur High Neck Turbo-Dry. It’s some kind of special fabric, fleece like but not fleece. It works very well and fits well. It’s also well priced.
I also have a Rambo Newmarket cooler. I don’t believe they have a neck version yet though.
I also had a wool cooler with a neck, forget what brand just got something on sale. It worked well enough but was very heavy. And if it wasn’t really cold my horse would get too hot in it.
I have a very old big square wool cooler from Schneiders, circa 1988, in plaid that I love and I also have a thick wool dress cooler from triple crown for getting in/out of the arena and walking out etc. Those 2 have pretty much covered all of my needs for decades! I firmly believe in the power of wool and have yet to find any synthetic that works better. I like a thicker wool, not the thin kind that is popular for dress coolers. Think…pendleton blanket or hudson bay blanket type wool. Maybe pricy up front, but I am a one and done kind of purchaser(obviously). And can I add…I am literally so excited to pull out my coolers this year!!! This summer was brutal.
Mine is a scrumptious wool cooler from The Clothes Horse. I was lucky to find it second hand and know that The Clothes Horse quality is unbeatable so I snapped it up. I loathe fleece because of static electricity. No horse enjoys that!
I have yet to find one that works well for my guy who is an excessive sweater in the winter. I’ve never had a problem with static and my normal fleece coolers, but they take forever to wick away the moisture and he soaks right through them so I use one, towel him off, then put a second one on. It was suggested to me last year to get an irish knit as well and put that under a cooler - but I haven’t bitten the bullet and bought one yet. I did get a cooler with a neck piece off recommendation and unfortunately it just didn’t work for my guy and I hated that it had slick fabric on the shoulder which seemed to trap in the sweat (it was the Dura-Tech Polar Fleece Duo Fit). Someone else at my barn got a BOT cooler that has the same shoulder fabric so I’m not sure if that is a “thing” now? I’m not sure if they like theirs as they just started using it. I ended up trace clipping him for the first time last year and it did help. The Baker Irish Weave has rave reviews so I’ll likely get that one for this year to layer under his cooler. If you want to see the recommendations I got last year here is the link: https://www.chronofhorse.com/forum/f…ecommendations
i like the Horze fleece cooler that I won as a prize. It wicks away moisture like you wouldn’t believe. It basically has condensation on the outside after you put it on the sweaty horse. I use my wool ones just for warmth at shows, etc. i use the fleece for “harder” work at home (wicking sweat after tough workout on a cold day, after bath, etc.)
I find the fleece coolers work very well on a hot sweaty horse.
But the wool coolers will also dry off a cool wet horse (like been standing in the rain). Fleece won’t do that.
Both will get condensation on the outside and be dry inside. Both will dry overnight if you hang them up.
My fleece cooler has a slightly high neck, can’t remember the brand. My wool cooler is second hand but very nice material. Both have chest buckles and belly bands.
Old School Solution:
Stuff hay beneath cooler (wool or fleece) it adds airspace to speed evaporation.
Horse dries faster & gets a snack afterwards.:winkgrin:
I have both. Circa 1989 wool & 20-some year old fleece.
Both do the same job, but the fleece can go in the washer.
Damned if I’m gonna hand-wash a cooler!
Favorite has to be a two-fer: Cotton big-hole (kingston) cooler underneath covered up by a wool cooler on top. If I needed some help for the neck, I’d scrub it off with a towel to fluff up the hair and then use a wool square cooler. Wool works the best, and the big-hole cooler and wool combo is by far the fastest-drying option out there.
I have a couple of the Bucas Power Coolers and love them. They wick moisture off quickly and dry out well too.
I have a few students who have and love the Centaur Turbo Dry. I just bought one but haven’t used it yet.
In the depths of winter, I do love my Saratoga. It has an irish knit layer under and a fleece outer layer with clips on the front. A big square cooler. Keeps them nice and warm while they dry.
I also love the Rambo fleece. Very thick. But I covet it for shows, and we rarely show when it’s cold enough for such a thick fleece so it doesn’t get much use.
I love the Rambo Deluxe Fleece coolers - I reach for that over the $$$ wool coolers in the barn. It’s warmer, lighter, and machine washable.
Has anyone on here tried the rambo dry rug yet? I have been eyeing it up thinking about adding it to my cooler collection for this year if people thought highly of its effectiveness.
Nothing tops my ancient Triple Crown plaid wool cooler (square) with Irish knit lining when it’s cold. If not quite so cold, a thin unlined one - also TC; also plaid; also wool. Yep, bit of a theme here.
I have been trying to find one of these “combo” coolers! My one trainer had a wool with knot lined cooler and I absolutely loved it. Havent been able to track any down though sadly!
@RolexReady Last I knew - and it’s been a little while - The Clothes Horse would add irish knit lining if you wanted. Just in case you’re feeling splurge-y. the holidays ARE coming, you know.
I’ve been looking at this one and have been sitting on the fence with it, that’s why I wrote this thread.
Its gets super cold up here so I want something warm, and dries her up quick. If I end up getting this, I’ll report back!
I checked out their website- these look stunning! However, I don’t think I can justify the price + shipping up north. :no:
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