Making a Cooldown Blanket

[Island Mist]

I just can't get over the $100 price tag for a fleece cooldown blanket. It seems absurd. I have a bunch of fleece sleeping bag inserts that I got for $12 each. They're the perfect size for our Arabian.

Keeping in mind I am completely talentless at sewing and all things crafty, is there any reason I an't just sew velcro straps at what would be the chest, and 2 under the belly? I wouldn't trust my handiwork for a blanket she'd wear all day, but I'm wondering if I could pull it off for a blanket only worn a few minutes at a time.

Thanks for any input,

Laura

[Slim Pikkens]

Cool down blankets are usually worn only while you hand walk the horse. They are usually made of wool to absorb the sweat and often draped from just behind the ears to the top of the tail. It is held in place with a nylon strap sewn to the wool, like the poll strap on a bridle and the other strap is stitched on and acts as a browband. Congrats on your savings. I'll hit the annual church garage sale and pick up wool blankets from 25cents to 2 dollars. The make great saddle blankets as wool is best next to the horse.

[Island Mist]

Thanks,Slim- the ones at the local tack shop are fleece, so here I thought they all were. I an probably get wool too. Good to know!

Laura

Originally Posted by Slim Pikkens

Cool down blankets are usually worn only while you hand walk the horse. They are usually made of wool to absorb the sweat and often draped from just behind the ears to the top of the tail. It is held in place with a nylon strap sewn to the wool, like the poll strap on a bridle and the other strap is stitched on and acts as a browband. Congrats on your savings. I'll hit the annual church garage sale and pick up wool blankets from 25cents to 2 dollars. The make great saddle blankets as wool is best next to the horse.

[wind lake]

We also hit the local Hospital Fair and buy wool blankets. The local dollar store has clamps we use for closures. Great for a cool out. We also call them chill off blankets when the horses first come in with snow in the evening. A hand ful of hay on their back for some breathing space then just toss a blanket (or 1/2 blanket) to take the chill off. Whisk them right off at the end of grain voila dry horse. Hay is part of the bonus for the horse

[gypsygirl3]

i just bought a couple yards of fleece & clip it in front of their chest with a heavy duty metal clip...i dont sew or anything either !

[soccer mom]

try horseloverz.com. I bought a fleece one for $10 last year.

[jesterjigger]

Schneider's also sells polar fleece coolers for a lot less than $100! I think they're around $30, I normally get mine at Congress for $20 but even regular price isn't too, too bad. The website is www.sstack.com

[klattekm]

Originally Posted by soccer mom

try horseloverz.com. I bought a fleece one for $10 last year.

I agree. I bought a really nice one from their huge clearance sale for $10. They usually have a few huge sales throughout the year with stuff for as cheap as a dollar. That helps feed my saddlepad addiction lol

[Island Mist]

Thank you guys all for the great ideas! Gypsygirl, how do you attach the clip to the fleece?

Originally Posted by klattekm

I agree. I bought a really nice one from their huge clearance sale for $10. They usually have a few huge sales throughout the year with stuff for as cheap as a dollar. That helps feed my saddlepad addiction lol