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  Discussion on Turnout Rugs and Manes
Author Message
Member:
Anta

Posted on Sunday, May 8, 2005 - 2:36 am:

Hi to all, I have a Lusitano with a long natural mane, or supposed to. Because I live in Scotland, known for its slightly damp climate, our horses are turned out for a considerable amount of the year in turnout rugs, does anyone please have any suggestions which rugs are suitable for horses with long manes. Having tried and of course bought around 12 different rugs now, all of which are still rubbing away the bottom of the mane resulting in a really thin bottom end, instead of being thick, like the top.
I would really appreciate any help.
Member:
Gillef

Posted on Sunday, May 8, 2005 - 8:46 am:

Being in Scotland too I appreciate your problem. The only rug I have used without this problem is the Equenox Gulf lightweight turnout.It has a high cut neck but puts no pressure on the roots of the mane. If warmth is required as well as waterproofing layer with a low cut but well fitting stable rug. This system works for me. I no longer use full neck covers as mud does less damage to the mane in the long term.
Member:
Mrose

Posted on Sunday, May 8, 2005 - 11:29 am:

Do they sell "cut back" blankets over there? I've found that the cut back blankets, which fit around the shoulders and are shaped to go around, not over, the withers, work very good and don't rub on the withers or rub out long manes. If the horse needs more warmth, I use a sleezy underneath a neck cover that attaches to the blanket with elastic straps that allow for head and neck movement. I happen to like Schneider's blankets (www.sstack.com) because they are adjustable in the shoulder area and really fit my Arabians, but other companies carry similar blankets.
Member:
Anta

Posted on Monday, May 9, 2005 - 5:54 pm:

Many thanks to
gillian and Sara for their very kind replys, |I really like the idea of a cut back rug, do any of you have any more web sites that are good for buying these rugs, the other thing I notice as well is the cost of rugs, you guys are paying in dollars less than we are paying in pounds, your favourite on line sites would be mnost welcome

thanks in advance Anita and Lousso
Member:
Mrose

Posted on Monday, May 9, 2005 - 7:16 pm:

www.doversaddlery.com is another of my favorite supple places.
Member:
kerrief

Posted on Wednesday, Sep 23, 2009 - 11:11 pm:

Hi all,
On the thread on mane rugs...has anyone had experience with "Sleazy Sleepwear?" Pros? Cons?
Member:
mrose

Posted on Thursday, Sep 24, 2009 - 12:26 am:

It's great, but the lightweight ones have to be used under blankets or they will rip on anything rough. I think Schneider Tack has one that is tougher. If Robin Hoods are still made, they are the most durable. They are great as an extra layer under a blanket; to keep a horse clean; to protect the manes, etc. Our show stallion has a heavy duty one that is a one piece with zipper and covers him from head to tail with a belly band. If it's not cold, he wears it every night. If it's cooler it goes under his sheet, and if it's cold it goes on under his blanket.
Member:
erika

Posted on Thursday, Sep 24, 2009 - 7:38 pm:

I bought the neck covers when my horse had an IV catheter in her neck. It was hoped that it would keep her from rubbing it out. But the covers tore quickly and after spending $40 each for three tries, I gave up and decided they are too fragile.

My boarder does use the shoulder cover under her winter blanket and it works just fine.
New Member:
pschwab

Posted on Thursday, Sep 24, 2009 - 7:59 pm:

About Sleazy Sleepwear--I love it. I have had the same one for over 10 years. I used it first on my Arab who had a long mane. Unfortunately he was in a pasture with burdocks, but the sleazy protected his mane wonderfully. Another horse came from auction with strangles. Her throat needed warm compresses for 20 minutes at a time. I used the sleazy to hold the compress in place. I also used it to keep a mane clean before a show, etc. It washes easily and because it is stretchy fits both horses which have different sized heads.
Member:
vickiann

Posted on Thursday, Sep 24, 2009 - 9:35 pm:

I bought one of these for my Arab, Lance, which seemed like a great idea to keep him clean before an event or to help discourage mosquitoes when camping.

The hilarious thing was, though Lance is used to wearing blankets or costumes (for performance riding), he absolutely HATED this.

He was totally unhappy and embarrassed to wear this, especially when out camping in public. He had a look of total chagrin about him and was very disgusted until I removed this get up and put a normal blanket on him.
Member:
kerrief

Posted on Thursday, Sep 24, 2009 - 10:05 pm:

Pat...Vicki...

How breathable are they? I live in So CA and it gets rather warm here.

My purpose for wanting to use this product is to keep his mane protected; so he'll be wearing it 50% or more of the time.
Member:
canter

Posted on Friday, Sep 25, 2009 - 2:38 pm:

Kerrie, I use a sleazy to keep my grey clean before a show. I don't think they breathe that well as she can get quite warm underneath if I don't pay attention to the weather conditions (and I live in MI). I sometimes just have to bite the bullet and keep my fingers crossed that she doesn't roll in poop overnight vs. keeping her clean but uncomfortably dressed in the Sleazy.
Member:
vickiann

Posted on Friday, Sep 25, 2009 - 5:23 pm:

I agree with Fran about these not breathing too well and holding in the heat.

The only time I have ever attempted to use this was during the evening hours.
New Member:
pschwab

Posted on Saturday, Sep 26, 2009 - 9:54 am:

Kerrie,
I agree with everyone else that the sleazy is not very breathable. Mine is lightweight but I live in upstate NY so we do have cooler weather than you do.
Member:
kerrief

Posted on Saturday, Sep 26, 2009 - 10:37 am:

Thank you all for your comments. You saved me $$$$, as I was one click away from ordering.

While I was on their website, I noticed a new item. They now have sleazy flysheets and rugs. I'm sure they are more breathable...but how much so?!
Member:
mrose

Posted on Saturday, Sep 26, 2009 - 12:45 pm:

Rambo makes a flysheet/neckcover that I've used and liked. It keeps manure off the horse, but dust will get in, however not as much as when not covered. It's breathable and pretty industructable.

What is the main reason you want to cover your horse? That would make a difference as to what would work best for you.
New Member:
kimaz

Posted on Saturday, Sep 26, 2009 - 3:59 pm:

I would love to ask on this topic too...I am AZ. and my white Paint rubs off his thick mane about three quarters of the way down his neck from bars.

I would like to finds something to protect the new growth.

I have seen a sleazy used at our ranch out here, it was the full hood, and the arab tore it to shreds in a minute at $75.00 cost and I thought it would be too hot as well.

Any suggestions for the hot weather/durability?

Thanks!
Member:
mrose

Posted on Saturday, Sep 26, 2009 - 4:23 pm:

The do make "mane protectors" or at least they used to. I have one; it's made from a heavy mesh and has velcro along it's length for fastening. There is a loop to fasten it to a halter. Trouble I had with it was that when the horse would put it's head down to eat, the thing would slide towards his ears and not protect the mane towards the withers unless a horse wore a sheet to fasten the other end to. There may be something out there that's an improvement on the one I have.

If your horse is in pipe panels, you can buy snow fence or landscape fencing. It's usually either green, black or orange and is made of plastic with small squares. It's easy to line the pipe panels with it using plastic ties (or baling twine) and keeps the horse from sticking his head through the panels and rubbing his mane. It's also good for keeping young foals from rolling under/through the panels.
Member:
kerrief

Posted on Sunday, Sep 27, 2009 - 6:14 am:

Sara, My gelding is moving into a pipe stall (18 x 36) from a box. I'm trying to be proactive in preventing mane loss and coat sun bleaching. He is a palomino (golden with dapples) with a wonderfully long white, very white mane and tail.


As far as using snow or landscapping fencing.., we're currently in a public boarding facility and the owners do not allow us to put anything up.
Member:
mrose

Posted on Sunday, Sep 27, 2009 - 10:23 am:

Would they allow one hot wire running around the inside of the pipe and solar powered?
Member:
kerrief

Posted on Monday, Sep 28, 2009 - 9:58 am:

Hi Sara,

In a word...no. We cannot do anything, even if it is an improvement to the facility.
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