Last night I had this glorious dream! I was swimming in a fabulous pool obviously located in some tropical location, because its far from tropical outside.  Winter is in the air, and it seems that Fall just arrived. Not only have we pulled out our coats, when a temp dips below 50 we start thinking about keeping our horses snugly warm.

The truth is our ponies NEVER are allowed to get woolly. Have you ever tried getting a full grown winter coat show ready? There is not enough Pepi in the world to help you there.

The same rule of thumb we follow, our horses do as well. When temps get cooler, WE LAYER.  I will say our blanket collection is quite extensive due to this, and our end of the season cleaning bill is a bit outrageous. Luckily, our ponies are pampered enough they don’t tear up their blankets. Thank god for small miracles.

Here are our essentially for our horse’s winter wardrobes-

SLINKIES, full body preferably. Everybody has a slinky (not the iconic toy from your childhood) and we love the full body versions. In our experience, we have had the hoods ride up especially if layered under another blanket and rub some areas bald. Also the full body variety keeps everyone pretty darn sleek and shiny. Our horses wear their slinkies all season. And a little tip, soak them in some warm water and fabric softner to loosen the hair before washing. Then wash with woolite to keep in top shape.

Sheets, aren’t just for beds We have several types of sheets. Some just for shows, some of a heavier canvas material for heading out to the pasture for play time, and some for those temps too cool for just our slinkie but too warm for a parka.

We are personally big fans of Big D cotton stable sheets

For a good turnout, you can’t wrong with canvas. They are durable and affordable.

There is no harm in having a fun turnout blanket.

Stable blankets, when its too cool for a sheet but you don’t need a parka.

We always have mid-weight blankets on hand for those inbetween times or if we are showing in a climate that doesn’t get below 30 degrees in winter. Like with our sheets, we layer over our slinkies.

Here is the model we are ordering and having customized.

HOLY BLIZZARD BlANKETS

On the days its down right frigid, we pull out the BIG guns. Our heavy duty blankets. This is our go-to blizzard blanket

Keeping warm after work

NO HORSE goes without a cooler after being worked.  If anyone breaks this rule, they experience the wrath of my husband and if he is mad you know its BAD. So coolers are on the side of our arena, saddle up area, and everywhere. Before horses are re-blanketed, they have to be cool and dry so our coolers get a lot of use. We have both wool and fleece versions, but I will say I am partial to the fleece.

But I am coveting a velour version for shows.

So who want’s to come hang out this spring when I take all these blankets into be cleaned?

Stay Warm

Danielle