Blanket Rub

Topic by JazzMan

January 17, 2010 11:14AM

I'm fairly new to the world of blanketing so would like to (yet again) consult the knowledgeable gang on this board.

(and hope this isn't too obvious/stupid a question :eye-roll:

)

My gelding has unfortunately developed rubbing at his shoulder - one side worse and the hair is almost rubbed off of an area about the size of say...my hand, probably less. I'm pretty sure its his winter blanket which he wears out every day - as they move around more. It is pretty generously sized on him, but both that and his nighttime stable blanket seem to pull snug at his shoulder.
Is there anything I can do about this or is buying another (differently fitted) blanket my only option?

Kind of worried as I can't at this point stop blanketing (although today I just left on his stable blanket thanks to the warm temps) and this will likely get worse/more irritating every day...

Reply by SavingGrace

January 17, 2010 11:40AM

Bossy Bibs work well under blankets to keep the rub from getting worse. Other than that, look for a blanket that is made for wide chested horses (I have found the Oricans work well) that have pleats to allow for movement.

Its a pain in the butt for sure... good luck!

Reply by Giantpony

January 17, 2010 11:56AM

Other than buying a new blanket or a bossy bib, I've found that sewing in a piece of slippery fabric (satin works well, even the cheap "Halloween" satin is better than nothing) into the blanket where the rub occurs can work in many minor cases. I always hand stitch it in, just attaching it to the inner lining of the blanket and not all the way through so as to poke holes in the waterproof layer. I highly recommend doing it on both sides and making the "patch" considerably bigger than the rub.

Good luck!
GP

Reply by FalseImpression

January 17, 2010 06:24PM

As a horse owner who practically pulled her hair out years ago trying to fit her big chested Clyde x, I can sympathize... The only thing that solved the problem for my girl was to have blankets custom made by Brubacher. They were very helpful and very reasonable, But she was/is a BIG girl! Of course, years later, retired, she goes natural and the blankets sit in a trunk. If I remember well, she was too big for a bib and I seem to recall having Brubacher stitch a patch inside as well. I still ended up with the custom made wardrobe (barn quilted blanket, wool cooler and rain sheet in 84", with the velcro on the spine for the two indoor ones, sticky side up, and rainsheet, velcro smooth side down, $403 taxes included and numerous cloth samples to try and mark on the horse before!!)

We just bought an Orican for the horse we get to play with at the barn. It is perfect! I keep taking it off to check for rubs... none. It has the protection at the withers too and for once, the pleats are well positioned. I love that blanket... (tell me why I spent almost $200 for a horse we do not even own???). If my daughter even gets another horse, the PPE will also require blanket testing (lol)..

I had to laugh because we bought this blanket at Brubacher's and Henry Jr. stopped and asked what had happened to the horse with the big wardrobe... he did remember and that was in '03!

Reply by JazzMan

January 17, 2010 08:20PM

Too funny FI! French is not big chested but his shoulder is very angular it seems.
Thank you guys for your ideas...very helpful! I'll try sewing a couple of patch's, if all else fails I'll drop it at Brubies and ask them to do it (I know how I am at getting that stuff done - I AM the cat mat lady after all

!)
Thanks again

Reply by SavingGrace

January 17, 2010 08:24PM

84.... Pffft.... my guy needs an 87-88.

Brubachers made one for him a few years back.

Reply by Giantpony

January 17, 2010 08:42PM

Brubachers used to make blankets for my big guys too.... Jo wore a 92" and Monster wore 94" - 96"... even with having them custom made with shoulder gussets, I still had problems with rubs, mostly across their big wide chests, sometimes over a massive shoulder. Once I had to extend the shoulder gusset a bit to make it work and a few times satin patches have worked... sometimes a bit of show sheen will work in a pinch (just be careful it wont interfere with saddling!!

)

Good luck!
GP

Reply by FalseImpression

January 17, 2010 08:43PM

lol SavingGrace, well I bet now, with being retired and not exercised, she would need an 87... that belly you know!!

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