Archive for the ‘Horse Wear’ category

How To Find Discount Horse Blankets And Other Horse Supplies

November 1st, 2011

Owning a horse can be very expensive. However, horse ownership is a passion for those people that can last a lifetime. I’ve been around horses all my life and it was not until I owned my first horse that I realized just how much it cost to upkeep my equine friends. My parents had always paid the bills. When I was a child, I never gave any thought to the expenses involved. When I moved out and got my own place, I soon discovered that I really did not make enough money for the hobby I loved so much.

I really had to scramble to find ways to save money on equine supplies. One of the first things I did was to check out the website Craigslist. I was able to buy discount horse blankets from a local stable that was shutting its doors. I bought 3 stable blankets at about one fourth the cost. Since the weather will soon be turning cold, you really need a good supply of warm blankets for your horse to make it through the winter.

In addition to the stable blankets, I was able to purchase a few more horse tack items. I picked up some horse grooming supplies for almost nothing. I have also found that if you really check Craigslist every day, you can find some good deals on horse supplements. You have to react very quickly to these because there are a lot of other horse owners looking for supplements because they are very expensive. Your best bet is to answer the ad and have cash in hand. The first buyer to arrive will make the deal.

If you own a horse and you are on a budget, Craigslist is a great place to search for discounted horse equipment. You can find saddles, horse trailers, horse fleece and riding boots for a lot less money than if you were to buy from a local store or order your horse supplies online.

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Horse Rugs to Keep Your Friend Warm

February 10th, 2011

Horse rugs are one of those important accessories needed by any horse owner. In addition to the local horse equipment stores you can now find horse rugs on the Internet. Good quality products are now being offered by producers from all over the world.  Picking from the online suppliers can be confusing at best. This article should shed a little light on the subject.

Your local weather will determine which horse rug you will purchase.  Depending on how much your weather varies you may need to buy more than one rug weight. When your horse is outdoors during the winter a thick turnout rug can be just the thing. If your horse has been clipped closely, an even heavier rug may be necessary.

As temperatures rise in the spring horse rugs that allow heat to escape are desirable. Fabrics that are too closely woven can trap heat and moisture. If your horse has naturally long hair and he has been clipped you may need a light rug with a fleece liner.   Even if your horse is healthy and strong a warm liner is still a good idea.

Horse rugs for indoor use are known as stable rugs. These rugs are lighter in weight but still provide a warm covering. The fact that the horse is not very active indoors still requires some good protection from the cold. A stable rug is almost always needed.

If your climate is really cold a winter horse rug or New Zealand rug may be called for. The top layer is a waterproof canvas material. This is a classic rug that has always been accepted.

Taking your horse’s measurements is the first step in purchasing a rug. Begin by measuring from his chest to his tail. Then take the height measurement from his backbone to his belly.  Give these dimensions to your supplier.

In the warmer months when insects abound you may need what is called a flysheet. A rug that absorbs moisture may be the best thing for warmer months. There are even rugs that are said to heal with magnets inside. Try looking to the Internet to compare prices. The good distributors will offer links to their manufacturer’s websites.

You may also be interested in reading about a hamster cage.

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Choosing a Horse Rug for Your Best Friend

June 25th, 2010

When the cold wind blows, you know it’s time to get out the horse rug and cover up your beloved horse so she stays warm and toasty. In winter time, a horse rug or blanket is one of the handiest pieces of horse equipment you’ll own! But how do you know you’ve got the right horse blanket for the conditions and your horse’s individual needs?

The first thing to consider is whether the horse will be wearing the blanket outside or just inside the barn. If she will only need to wear it in the barn, it does not have to be weatherproof (waterproof) and it can be quite a bit lighter weight. This kind of blanket (or rug) is called a stable blanket.

If you will be letting your horse wear a blanket outside, then you need to look into horse turnout rugs. These feature an outer layer of waterproof, windproof material, and inner layers of filling for warmth. Some even have a lining that wicks moisture away from the fur, helping to keep the horse even drier.

Most of the time a turnout rug manufacturer lists the lowest temperature that the blanket can be relied upon to keep the horse warm.  You’ll see a temperature range of (for example) -10 degrees to 60 degrees Fahrenheit. That means it should keep your horse warm in -10 degree temperatures, but please note: As soon as temperatures climb back up to 30 degrees Fahrenheit, you should take the horse rug off. Otherwise your horse will get sweaty underneath it, and that will make her feel cold.

For horse turnout rugs, be sure to look for one that does not have a seam running down the back. Those seams tend to leak water.

Another feature of horse rugs is the rip-ability of the outer fabric. You will see some with a Denier rating for the outer Ripstop layer, and the higher the Denier number, the less likely it will rip if it snags on something. 600 Denier is usually adequate for a turnout rug, but they go all the way up to 1200 Denier. Naturally, the cost climbs up there too!

To figure out what size blanket your horse needs, simply have your horse stand square, then measure from the center of her tail at the base where it joins her body to the center of her chest. That’s the size blanket you need. For example, if you measured 80 inches, then you need an 80-inch blanket. Round up to the nearest size if the measurement didn’t come out exact. For example, my horse measures 71 inches, and a 72-inch blanket fits her perfectly.

Be sure to choose a horse rug for its durability, warmth and weatherproofing, not for the color or style. We all want our horses to look fabulous in their horse blankets, but if it doesn’t keep her warm, she won’t appreciate looking nice!

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