[ChaseroftheCans]

For once, I'm actually having an issue deciding! Each year, I always body clip the horses in November. Our winters are what I consider completely horribly freezing, but most of you would laugh. It gets to the 40's at the coldest usually. I usually blanket the horses (since they are shaved) then. I was brought up on this and that shaving every November was the right thing to do, unless you wanted to use a hair dyer to blow dry the horses.

This year...? I don't know if I feel lazy or... Yeah, I think I feel lazy.

Little already has a winter coat.? She is from Texas, and already has a winter coat. It's fairly thick (once again, you guys would laugh at what we consider 'thick' coated). I could probably shave her within a week or two and start blanketing. But I don't know if it's still too hot from time to time. I don't know if my blanket will fit her (the horse is originally belonged to was taller, but not as wide). She is ridden daily, and is a horse that sweats basically for no reason. So she is always sweating after being ridden.

Should I shave her or let her have a coat? Should I shave parts of her like just her neck, or everything but her face and legs? Something creative like that (which looks silly but who cares).

And then there is Chaos. He, too, is getting a little fuzzy because he was up north for 9 months. We body shaved him once (and he was shaved again later), so he's used to it. But I don't have a blanket that fits him, being he is a yearling. He currently isn't getting much work, but will during the winter. Is it worth it to purchase a baby blanket for him and clip him? Should I maybe clip his neck and get a hoodie for him?

I'm not looking forward to having to walk the horses out this winter, as I am not a cold-liking person. It hits the 70's and I'm pulling out jeans and jackets (like the weather now). So when winter comes and I'm done riding, walking around in the that weather is not exciting for me, hence why I prefer them shaved.

Any suggestions? I could shave one, both, neither. Shave whole body, or just parts. I think I gave all the info needed.... Just wanting suggestions .

[Hamilton]

If you don't like hanging around forever waiting for them to dry, then just clip them. It's really not that much time or effort if you consider how much time it will save you in the long run.

I don't know if you guys get El Nino too in AZ, but we're supposed to have one in CA this year and I know a lot of people are clipping earlier since some horses are growing in thicker, sooner. Plus if you get it there, you get to walk them out in the cold in the rain. Ick. And yea, I know all the people in other parts of the country and world are laughing at us right now.

[ChaseroftheCans]

Originally Posted by Hamilton

If you don't like hanging around forever waiting for them to dry, then just clip them. It's really not that much time or effort if you consider how much time it will save you in the long run.

I don't know if you guys get El Nino too in AZ, but we're supposed to have one in CA this year and I know a lot of people are clipping earlier since some horses are growing in thicker, sooner. Plus if you get it there, you get to walk them out in the cold in the rain. Ick. And yea, I know all the people in other parts of the country and world are laughing at us right now.

Haha, nope none of that gets us. I'm pretty much smack in the middle. When it storms here (which we all know storms are silly little things of clouds in arizona), it goes RIGHT around the mountains of the valley. So we sit outside and watch a storm with 1/8 inch of rain go right around us. It's just sick lol.

I think I'll go see if the blanket will fit Little, and if it does, I'll clip her body (leave her legs and stomach). Chaos can wait a bit first. We'll see on him. Thanks for that info too! I had wondered why many of the horses were getting so furry so early. It has been getting colder quicker than usual here.

[Blistering Winds]

I don't clip.....and I work my horses to a sweat.

Polar fleeces are AWESOME to help the drying process out.

I quick unsaddle, and throw them on. While I am cleaning up, dropping feed, etc, by the time I'm done, they are dry.

[ChaseroftheCans]

Originally Posted by Blistering Winds

I don't clip.....and I work my horses to a sweat.

Polar fleeces are AWESOME to help the drying process out.

I quick unsaddle, and throw them on. While I am cleaning up, dropping feed, etc, by the time I'm done, they are dry.

Can you give me a link to what a polar fleece is and where I can purchase it? That would be awesome.

[Blistering Winds]

Polar Fleece Cooler - Horse.com

If you want to be cheap, go get a queen size fleece blanket from walmart....sew a few buckles on it in the right places....and WHALA....

that is what I'm doing to "increase" my stock.

I have 1 fleece from Weaver leather....that is like a regular blanket. doesn't go up the neck.

then I have a queen size fleece that I just throw on while they stand.

[ChaseroftheCans]

Originally Posted by Blistering Winds

Polar Fleece Cooler - Horse.com

If you want to be cheap, go get a queen size fleece blanket from walmart....sew a few buckles on it in the right places....and WHALA....

that is what I'm doing to "increase" my stock.

I have 1 fleece from Weaver leather....that is like a regular blanket. doesn't go up the neck.

then I have a queen size fleece that I just throw on while they stand.

Hm, I think I will look into that when I have a little more cash! Will it fit many sizes of horse? Mine are both little munchkins - 14.2 hands and 13.3 hands. The littler one probably won't really ever need it, but I need to know it would fit a 14.2 hand (stocky) horse.

I think I've seen those down at a local shop, so I won't have to order it. We just call them coolers, which I think is why the polar fleece term confused me.

So you think they work really well to dry them off?

[Blistering Winds]

I do think fleece works wonders in the winter!

Keeps them warm while drying....as it insulates, and seems to "wisk" away the moisture.

I LOVE crawling out of the shower into my fleece blanket on a cold evening myself.

There are various of sizes. You don't have to get a "horse" made one. Walmart has ones that can easily be thrown over minis or ponies for 10 bucks

My cheap queen size cost me 20

You can go back to the fabric area and see what you can dig up.

Shoot, I've thought about making some in some "patterned" fleece and selling them on ebay.

[ChaseroftheCans]

Originally Posted by Blistering Winds

I do think fleece works wonders in the winter!

Keeps them warm while drying....as it insulates, and seems to "wisk" away the moisture.

I LOVE crawling out of the shower into my fleece blanket on a cold evening myself.

There are various of sizes. You don't have to get a "horse" made one. Walmart has ones that can easily be thrown over minis or ponies for 10 bucks

My cheap queen size cost me 20

You can go back to the fabric area and see what you can dig up.

Shoot, I've thought about making some in some "patterned" fleece and selling them on ebay.

I could go buy some at walmart, but I am unable to stitch on the hooks and all that. I'll have to check out Walmart though and see what I can find!

[Blistering Winds]

For a standing, non walking horse, you dont' need to tie the blanket on. Just toss on and go finish putting things away while they stand quietly at the fence.