Blanket recommendation?

[beckybee]

I'm hoping to take advantage of summer sales and buy a winter blanket for Flora. She's a long, narrow, noodle-neck quarab.

Does anyone have a recommendation for a brand of blanket that fits narrower horses with a smaller neck opening? Yeah, usually everyone is looking for the opposite!

Thanks!

[cutiepiepmu]

There are a few blankets on the market I would recommend. In general - look for HIGH NECK blankets - meaning look for minimum of Euro cut(comes above the whithers and sits higher on the neck, but prefer the high neck blankets that the neck actually extends about 1/2 way up the neck itself. These don't fall back on the shoulders and prevent water from streaking down the shoulders

Brand wise - Check out Eous blankets. they tend to run a little narrow and are a good quality blanket.

Schneiders makes a euro-cut blanket in a variety of style that works well on narrow horses. Their blankets run a little large size wise, so order true to size.

Shires blankets are also a good choice. They are more expenive($250ish), but you get alot of blanke for the money - they are DURABLE! My guy is on year 7 on his and it is still 100% waterproof and only has a couple of pin holes that never ran or tore! They run a tad oversized and I would look for the hug style front on these. The neck guards that go with the blankets fit really well and don't rub.

Amigo blankets are fantastic. The necks sit a little higher up and they don't slide around onthe back because of he way they are designed. These are some of myfavorite blankets in this price point.

Weatherbeeta blankets tend to run a little biger over all and I HATE the saxon blankets. They are not long enough in drop IMO and don't hold up well. But, they are cheap - so you get what you pay for here.

I don't personally care for Tough-1 or practical choice blankets, or some of the off brand blankets. They are cheaper for a reason. They are not cut right and don't hold up well - they roll around on the body so that they are always slid off to one side or the other.

Look for a blanket that is at least 1200 denier or a teflon based blanket. Make sure the inside is a silky nylon type material NOT cotton. The cotton ones will tend to rub more. Look for high neck or euro-cut blankets to avoid them slippig back on the shoulders - DO NOT get a quarterhorse cut blanket - it will fall back on the shoulders horribly.

Hope that helps a little

Sara

[beckybee]

Aug 6, 2009 20:30:24 GMT -5 cutiepiepmu said:

Brand wise - Check out Eous blankets. they tend to run a little narrow and are a good quality blanket.

Great, thanks - this is one I was looking at!

[Tate]

I agree with Sara, Saxons are way to short and the clips are bad, Weatherbeta are great but run huge in the shoulder/neck area, they fit well on the QH types, and I bought Dixie a Reinsmen last year that I dont like either, to much fabric everywhere and would not honor their replacement guarentee. I actually like Statelines own brand blankets, they fit well and hold up great.

[beckybee]

I got a Stateline fleece cooler/liner that was great quality. I went to buy more and they didn't make them anymore. I can't find any that are as nicely made as theirs. It's good to hear their blankets are quality, too.

I ended up ordering an Eous because of the higher neck. Flora has high withers and came to me with a big ulceration on her withers from her last winter blanket. I'm hoping the high neck style helps with this.

I had sizing questions, so went to the their website (www.equisupplies.com). They were having website issues and measurement diagram was not available so I called. The gal that actually made the diagram answered the phone! She helped me choose the right blanket based on sizing, conformation and use. She recommended one on clearance ($79) that was perfect, and I was able to order directly from them.

It's not very often you find such fantastic customer service, so thought I would share! I'll let you know about the blanket when it shows up.

[toeps]

What is the difference between the Weatherbeeta Orican and Landa - both come in original and Freestyle fit? May have a high neck style?

Wilco has them on sale at 50% off, thinking about one for Tika but she is slimmer in the shoulders. How big do they run?

Prolly just get one size smaller then she measures and try it on her? I think I can return it.

Thanks

mta - Landa is only 600d, the Orican is 1200d and has a high neck option or a detachable neck piece

[pikzeedust]

SmithBros.com "Open Range" blankets. They last a long time and they come up high on the neck.

[toeps]

Tika is a peanut, just measured her and she's 68" from center of her chest to "end" (apparently that's how to measure for Weatherbeeta, not to center or edge of her tail) Guess my big ol' OTTB's blanket won't fit her, eh?

[calypso]

Is anyone familiar with Brookside blankets? I'm specifically looking at the Light Weight Turnout on page 4 of the Valley Vet Equine Edition Holiday 2009 catalog (item #34641)

I need a light weight - not just a sheet, but not a midweight (already have one of those) for Angel. She's showing her age and going to need some help this winter, even though it isn't very cold yet.

This blanket has the top 1/2 of the lining in fleece, bottom half nylon. Waterproof/breathable. Euro cut. on sale for $99.95.

Opinions?

Thanks!