This message is from: Robin Churchill <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Rambo makes a blanket called Rambo XL for the fuller bodied horse that is wider across the chest and shoulders. I have one for my warmblood and it is made roomier than their standard models some of which I also have. My fjord gelding currently has a Weatherbeeta blanket with gussetted shoulders that seems to fit him well. Also, Sue you probably don't remember me but the first fjord I ever saw was Lillihammer at one of the Wakefield dressage shows several years ago beating the pants off all the warmbloods at first level. I took one look at her and fell in love. I went up and asked you what kind of horse she was and that was the start of my husband and I getting our fjords. It was a few years before we finally took the plunge and ended up with Ooruk (Orka X Maite), who is starting his dressage career and BDF Ulyssa (Gjest X Stine), who is just 3 months under saddle. Now I am the one that everyone is crowding around at the dressage shows asking "what kind of horse is that ! and where did you get it?" I have taken Ooruk to one schooling show last April and a recognized show in June and you wouldn't believe the kind of attention he got.
Robin in Florida ----- Original Message ---- From: Sam Banks <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: fjordhorse@angus.mystery.com Sent: Saturday, October 14, 2006 2:12:43 PM Subject: Re:Blanketing in winter This message is from: "Sam Banks" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> I foxhunt my two Fjords through the winter in Tidewater area of Virginia. I mostly deal with winter daytime temps in the 30-45 range, so rain is the enemy, not cold. Over the past 5 years I have tried different clips, each has advantages and disadvantages. When I take more hair off, they don't sweat as much and are easier to get the mud off, but I have to blanket more, and vice versa if I leave more hair. The past 2 years I've done a full body clip in early September, and a high trace clip in early October. They still get pretty sweaty hunting in October in the 70's, but I don't have to blanket them for most of the winter except for rain. The year it stayed hot later into the fall, I did hunter clips in October, they didn't grow back enough, and needed more blanketing. My horses seem to slow their hair growth around middle of November, so if you don't want to blanket, clip in October, not November like most show people around here. My favorite turnout blankets are the Rambo Wug style. The longer neck keeps my horses drier and I have less fitting problems and rubbing in the shoulders, but my horses are a lighter build, not drafty. I prefer the two surcingle style, not the new 3 surcingle style. The Rhino fabric line is not as sturdy as the original fabric, but in the lightweight makes a great rain sheet for warmer days. I haven't tried their Amigo line. I try to buy at the end of the season sales but they are worth the money to me. Most Fjords need a 72", my 13:1 Fjord wears a 69", and my 14:2 Fjord wears 75" to keep them dry by completely covering their rear. Both my horses are very good about their clothing, and I'm still using Lilly's first blanket of 9 years old with no repairs other than surcingle hardware. Another necessity for me is to have a type of sheet that pulls the moisture off the horse to cool it out and for the trailer ride home after the hunt. I love my Rambo Armadillo sheet, but could only find it in 66" closeout. I also like the polarfleece type sheets. Both are light enough to get into my home washer. I bought Saxon Fleece Sheets by WeatherBeeta this year, so both my girls have new plaid sheets for showoff at the hunts. WeatherBeeta blankets are also generously sized. On hunting days when it is threatening rain (yes, we sometimes get wet) I use a polarfleece quarter sheet that I can roll up behind the saddle. It breathes enough they don't get too hot, and it keeps them warm enough underneath that they keep their own undercoat dry on their rump and sides; even though the polarfleece doesn't repel rain, it doesn't absorb it either. Wool would work as well, as it took about 2 hours of rain for it to soak through my hunt coat, and both fabrics keep you warm even when wet (some Hunt Masters won't let you wear your Australian riding coat). This year I will be prepared with Quantum Heat packs http://www.quantumheat.net/ in my coat pockets for that Master and joint meet. Sue Banks with Silija and Lillehammer clipped and ready to go. The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
