Month: October 2020

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How to waterproof horse blankets

How to waterproof horse blankets

The wet and rainy season is around the corner, and there is nothing worse than lovingly blanketing your horse, only to find a few hours later a cold, wet, shivering horse. You tried to do your best, but something went awry. We’ll go into detail on how to waterproof your horse blankets and avoid that whole unpleasant situation.

The solution is not to buy a new blanket! As a horse mom to three horses and hobby farm owner, I know how expensive replacing blankets can get.

You can re-waterproof your horse’s blanket for a fraction of the cost of buying a new one! And yes, you can waterproof your horse’s old faded and well-loved blanket.

Did you know that waterproofing on textiles only lasts a short while? It means that you need to re-waterproof your horse’s blanket regularly.

How to choose the right waterproofing

The different waterproofing products are classified into two types: sprays and washes. Sprays are easy to use and versatile compared to washes that require using the family laundry machine (your choice to tell your spouse or not!) or large laundry machines.

4 things to look for in a waterproofing product

  • Pet-friendly—for obvious reasons
  • Little to no odour—we all know animals have sensitive noses
  • Water-based—better for the environment and our horses
  • Breathability—your horse’s sweat still needs to evaporate

Avoid silicone sprays as they are not safe for your horse’s paddock mates to ingest (or your blanket destroyer if you have one). Now that you have found your product onto the fun part!

Steps to waterproof your horse blanket: Spray

  1. Clean your blanket thoroughly and let it dry.
  2. Read the instructions on the bottle.
  3. Find a well-ventilated area with little to no wind.
  4. Spray thoroughly and wipe away any droplets with a soft cloth.
  5. Let dry.
  6. Reapply for the best results.

Steps to waterproof your horse blanket: Wash

  1. Clean your blanket thoroughly and let it dry.
  2. Read the instructions on the bottle.
  3. Hand wash or machine wash your horse blanket using the right quantity of product. If you use a washing machine, you can protect it by tying the buckles together and covering them with an old sock.
  4. Wash using the delicate cycle and cold-water settings.
  5. Remove promptly and let dry.

And you are done! Your horse’s blanket is ready for another rainy and snowy season.

Any questions? Drop them below.

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Equestrian Autumn To-do List

Autumn Equestrian to-do List

You know you need to get your horse stuff ready for fall, but don’t know where to start? Are the fewer hours of sunlight getting to you? Yeah, me too.
This Equestrian Autumn To-do List will help you target and cross those things off your list. Don’t be impressed by the size of it. Some items are quite fast but often overlooked, and others take a bit of time. Remember! One bite at a time – You’ve got this!

Your to-do list

Remember to do one thing at a time and plan longer tasks by putting them in your personal to-do list or calendar. In the end, it will be worth the peace of mind.

Tack

Tack includes your saddle, bridle, boots, polos, wraps and saddle pads. You may have more stuff, but that’s the bulk of it!

  1. Clean and condition tack thoroughly.
  2. Waterproof your tack.
  3. Inspect for cracks and stretching and have any damage repaired. Replace tack as needed.
  4. Check your saddle’s fit or plan to have a saddle fitter come out. 
  5. Go through your saddle pad collection. Wash your saddle pads and recycle the old ones.
  6. Stud your hoof boots, if you use them.

Grooming Kit

For example, your brushes, hoof picks, grooming gloves, sponges, towels, etc.

  1. Disinfect your brushes, especially your hoof pick, and brush box.
  2. Donate or sell any brushes you haven’t used in ages.
  3. Go through your horse products and first aid kit. Throw out the very old or expired ones. 

Horse Blanket

  1. Fix tears and missing buckles.
  2. Donate or sell old blankets that no longer fit.
  3. Wash using a blanket wash and rinse.
  4. Waterproof your horse’s rain and winter blankets.

Clothing

  1. Go through your riding clothes to see if they still fit or need to be replaced. 
  2. Clean and condition your summer riding boots and chaps.
  3. Pull out your winter riding gear
  4. Waterproof your winter gear.
  5. Stock up on heat packs.
  6. Check your helmet’s expiry or manufacture date. They should be replaced every 5 years or after a fall.

Would you rather have a printable version of the Equestrian Autumn To-do List? Here it is!

Autumn-To-do-listDownload

Hit up our Facebook group for trail riders for regular tips and tricks and exclusive member promotions.

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How to wash horse blankets

how to wash horse blankets

If your horse loves to roll in the mud, you are no stranger to dirty blankets (or horses). You may have wondered what the best way to wash horse blankets at home inexpensively is. Also, clean horses don’t stay clean under dirty blankets.

As a mom to three horses and hobby farm owner, I know how expensive replacing blankets and regularly washing blankets can get. With the right products and techniques, you can make sure your horse blankets last without creating a hole in your budget. Here are some easy steps you can do at home to wash your horse’s blanket.

Steps to clean your horse blanket

  1. Let the blanket dry! Your washer will thank you.
  2. Use a stiff-bristled brush to remove the dry dirt and grime. If it is filthy, you may want to hang the blanket on a fence and hose it down. Use mild dish soap to get the stubborn muck stains out.
  3. Use a saddle pad and blanket wash detergent designed for animals to protect their skin and the blanket’s waterproofing.
  4. Hand wash your horse blanket in cold water or use the delicate cycle on your washer. If you use the washing machine, you can protect it by tying the buckles together and covering them with an old sock.
  5. Add a rinsing agent (not fabric softener!) to your fabric softener dispenser to deodorize and add anti-static conditioning. 
  6. Remove promptly and let dry.
  7. Waterproof as needed.

That’s it! You now know how to wash your horse blankets and it is ready for another round of rolling in the mud.

Any questions? Drop them below or join our community of fun-loving trail riders on Facebook!

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3 items to check before blanketing your horse

As an equestrian, it is so hard to know when to blanket your horse during the winter. As a hobby farm owner with her horses at home, I found two articles describing what you need to look at as you decide to blanket or not.

The first article Should I Blanket My Horse In The Winter? by Dr. Lisa Nesson published on IronGate Equine Clinic made recommendations based on hair coat, types of blankets and their fit as well as the basic requirements for roughage, water, and shelter. She talks about the hair coat’s abilities to withstand cold weather without a blanket, which allows the hairs to trap insulating air to keep the horse warm. She even included an infographic to help readers decide when to blanket.

Does my horse need a blanket? Decision chart.
Inforgraphic from Auburn Infographic

The second article published by the Feed Room, When to Blanket a Horse: Ask the Expert, Marcia Hathaway, Ph.D., answers this question by setting out some keep points about shelter and weather conditions, as well as age and body score. She mentions that horses continue to grow their winter coat until December 22 and start to lose it as the days start to get longer near the summer solstice.

Horse Blanketing Checklist

Based on these two articles and my experience as a horse owner, I have listed three things you need to check before deciding to blanket your horse:

  • Examine coat condition – If your horse has a thin coat, put a blanket on.
  • Check age and health – If your horse is very young, very old or has underlying health conditions, put a blanket on.
  • Evaluate body condition – If your horse’s body condition is less than a 3 on 9, put a blanket on.

Now you know what to consider before blanketing your horse.

My name is Chloe. I’m a passionate equestrian, horse lover and hobby farm owner with three horses in my care. I’ve been riding (on and off) since the tender age of 6 and love to discuss anything horse-related. Feel free to connect with me at @eqnextdoor on Twitter or Equestrian Next Door on Facebook.