Blanketing the horse in wet weather

[here to stay]

Due to the California drought, I had not blanketed my horses in four years. But now the relentless wet has returned. And blanketing the older girl is a must. The blankets I can get now seem to lose their water shedding abilities in the first wash. Water comes down like out of hose here so water repellency is the big reason for using one.

I used to take my blankets into a laudromat in town to wash but they closed and I can't find one willing to allow me to wash them there. Sooooo...

1) is there a relatively inexpensive blanket (a relative term I know) that keeps its repellency for a long time?
2) how do you wash your blankets? I'm as reluctant as the laudromat to use my own high efficiency washer for a heavy once wet horse blanket.

Any practices you found that work well? Cold is not a huge issue here but squalls are, where the rain comes down in buckets alternating with sun a number of times a day.

At least this older girl likes to shelter herself while the idiot younger one prefers to stand in the rain.

[gracielagata]

You're in CA... Honestly, I am not sure where the drought is specifically, in terms of 'true' winter or not.
But they make rain sheets that merely keep rain off the horse, keeping them dry underneath. No insulation to speak of, I don't think.

As for washing them... calling around you seem to be doing.
Have you looked into joining a Facebook horse page? Many people can answer questions for a horse blanket friendly place to get the washed up. Heck, in CA, I bet they have pick up and delivery service!
But rain sheets being lighter and thinner might not be an issue at a laundromat then.

Why wash them at all? Why not just put it over a corral wall or something and let it get rain rinsed? Or hose it off, then move it elsewhere so it can dry?

I wish I could help with actual ones to buy, but we don't use rain sheets, so can't help there. And we really don't blanket anyhow, so the 3 matching ones I have are fairly thick as they are only meant to blanket an injured or sick horse when they have to be separated off into the corral due to said injury or illness and can't move around for warmth; or for *really* cold or windy days for our older boy.

One idea- go look on Smartpak's website, they have really good reviews of their items, with usually free shipping.

[mollymckee]

I hang our blankets on the fence and use the pressure washer to wash them. I seldom have to blanket, we have a large run in shelter the horses can use as well as overhangs on the barn if they don't stay in when I think they should I will put them in their stalls. I have found that humidity is much harder on especially older horses than cold and dry weather. I did a lot more blanketing when we lived in the Houston area than any where else. I have an old (50year or so) Baker blanket that is still quite waterproof. I have even taken it apart and relined it. I wonder if you could use some of the wax like stuff you can get for Filson jackets for horse blankets that are no longer waterproof?

[gracielagata]

mollymckee , Along the route of re-waterproofing it.... tent sealing sprays... I wonder if that could work as well?

[here to stay]

Someone once suggested Thompsons Water Seal but I didn't like the look of it when I opened the can so never preceded. It looked rather toxic.

BTW it is not southern California here. Much more the Pacific Northwest. I get snow at times, lots of wind off the Pacific and the aforementioned squalls. It can rain for days on end without a peek of sun. Or it can pour for 10 minutes, be sunny for the next ten minutes and then pour again. It's chancy weather at best during the winter.

[aoconnor]

I seldom blanket, but on those wet, cold times when I do, I use blankets made by Ozark Leather. Obviously it isn't a leather blanket, just the company name. They have anything from light fly sheet water repellant type things to heavier blankets. I use a 600 denier water-resistant style on my guys, and I have never had a problem with the water resistance becoming less effective over time. I never wash my blankets, I just let them hang through a good rain, dry, and then fold and store for the next time I need them. I blanket 30 horses in inclement weather, all of my blankets are by that company. I love the way they fit, stay on, and are durable.

[here to stay]

I can tell you what rain failure in a waterproof blanket looks like- the rain soaks through the outer fabric, hits the waterproof lining, leaks through the seams and forms actual ponds of sloshing water around the bottom of the blanket. When I say rain, I meant real, cower behind buildings downpours.

aoconnor I had forgotten about Ozarks leather. I checked their site and think I saw a rain sheet to try. Thanks.

[horseyrider]

Feb 2, 2017 2:15:46 GMT aoconnor said:

I seldom blanket, but on those wet, cold times when I do, I use blankets made by Ozark Leather. Obviously it isn't a leather blanket, just the company name. They have anything from light fly sheet water repellant type things to heavier blankets. I use a 600 denier water-resistant style on my guys, and I have never had a problem with the water resistance becoming less effective over time. I never wash my blankets, I just let them hang through a good rain, dry, and then fold and store for the next time I need them. I blanket 30 horses in inclement weather, all of my blankets are by that company. I love the way they fit, stay on, and are durable.

Wait....

I'm trying to visualize dealing with blankets every day for 30 horses. 

Do you have help?

[aoconnor]

Feb 2, 2017 12:42:08 GMT horseyrider said:

Feb 2, 2017 2:15:46 GMT aoconnor said:

I seldom blanket, but on those wet, cold times when I do, I use blankets made by Ozark Leather. Obviously it isn't a leather blanket, just the company name. They have anything from light fly sheet water repellant type things to heavier blankets. I use a 600 denier water-resistant style on my guys, and I have never had a problem with the water resistance becoming less effective over time. I never wash my blankets, I just let them hang through a good rain, dry, and then fold and store for the next time I need them. I blanket 30 horses in inclement weather, all of my blankets are by that company. I love the way they fit, stay on, and are durable.

Wait....

I'm trying to visualize dealing with blankets every day for 30 horses. 

Do you have help?

No help, I'm the Lone Ranger here right now. My guys are all very patient for the most part. I use closed fronts (slip overs) on most of my blankets so I don't have to deal with buckling all those chest straps, that saves a lot of time:-). I have had to learn the fastest, simplest way to do many things with my guys, but they all help by behaving well and letting me work with them. Also, when the weather is going to stay bad, I leave the blankets on until the weather gets better. I check every horse every morning and evening to make sure their is no moisture or wet spots on their skin, and to check the fit to be sure nothing is rubbing. I think they like it when I put my hands under the blanket and give them a mini massage:-)

I had had a lady come about a month ago to work with me, she lasted until 10:30. When she was leaving I asked her is she thought she mghit like the job, but she turned it down. Said it was too much work for one person🙃, but that she knows why I need the help! Sigh:-)

[Skandi]

If you can find somewhere to wash them, then wash them with "Tec Wash" www.nikwax.com/en-gb/products/productdetail.php?productid=4It worked on my motorcycle jacket.

[mollymckee]

When we lived in TX and especially when a "Blue Norther" blue in, the horses would put their heads right in their blankets. They wanted them on! We had 15, it's hard to imagine blanketing 30. Here the humidity is generally low, some years I don't blanket at all.

[here to stay]

@ Skandi I read that link with interest. I never thought about dirt itself being the cause of problems. Horses generally are always dirty if given access to - oh the horrors- dirt.

[aoconnor]

Feb 3, 2017 6:35:56 GMT mollymckee said:

When we lived in TX and especially when a "Blue Norther" blue in, the horses would put their heads right in their blankets. They wanted them on! We had 15, it's hard to imagine blanketing 30. Here the humidity is generally low, some years I don't blanket at all.

I have several that dive right into their blankets:-) The others are glad they have the blankets on, but it takes them a few minutes to realize the benefit of on vs off:-)

Yes, those north winds can be so hard when it's already very cold out. We have only had one bad cold snap this year that I blanketed for, and it only lasted 3 days. Otherwise I haven't bothered blanketing and the horses all seem fine. We are not in a real humid area of Texas, but we get some snow, ice, and freezing temps usually. This winter has been the exception, with only a couple of really cold days. 

[spacecase0]

if you wash something and it looses water resistance, then you likely have leftover detergent in it.
detergent wicks water into things very well
use less detergent and rinse more
to test how well you have done, wash something small with it like a wash rag,
then when you are all done (including drying) put that rag into a bowl of clean water and squeeze it a few times,
if you see suds, then you still have way to much detergent for any sort of waterproofing

[here to stay]

I have found that putting an old towel in with a blanket helps. It sort of scrubs the blanket as it tumbles.

My latest thought though is putting a blanket in a horse trough, getting in rubber boots and doing an "I Love Lucy" wine crushing dance on it.

[horseyrider]

Feb 4, 2017 13:49:29 GMT here to stay said:

I have found that putting an old towel in with a blanket helps. It sort of scrubs the blanket as it tumbles.

My latest thought though is putting a blanket in a horse trough, getting in rubber boots and doing an "I Love Lucy" wine crushing dance on it.

*Bwahahahaha!!!* 

Please.  Would you mind having someone take a video?  I think we'd all enjoy that. 

[tab]

Short of buying a washing machine for blankets, my next idea is much cheaper. I have a 60 gallon stock tank that will warm the water (main reason i hate it, dark color) i have a plunger type washing thingy i bought from Lehmans, a couple of saw horses to hang, drip, rinse and dry. I have not used it yet as i have not blanketed this winter. I really think it will work though. Not as good as a washing machine but better then just hosing. I get some awful looks when i go the laudromat with horse blankets.....

[mollymckee]

I had an old wringer washer that I used on washable horse blankets, sheets, and saddle blankets. One day something distracted me and I forgot the washer was going. Then I saw smoke, good thing it was out on the patio! I guess I could have replaced the motor, but decided I didn't need it.

[here to stay]

I just bought a mid weight new blanket and a new rain sheet on the end of season sales. I thought for next year but of course it is snowing again as I type this. Big, fat drifty flakes.