Chaps for horses (in field) - any good?

[Morgan123]

hello, I was reading something or other recently about how horses can't fluff up the hair on their legs as much as the rest of their bodies and that on cold nights using leg wraps is just as good as putting on an extra rug.

I have an elderly TBx who insists on living out (though swathed in rugs in the cold) and was wondering if anyone has tried those chaps for horses you can get?? The only thing that worries me is that in the mud they'd get wet on the inside and be worse than nothing, rub etc (the mud in our fields isn't too bad except for the usual around the gate, but still!). I can see it might be great in the frost and so on when mud isn't a problem - just wondered if anyone's tried them, and if so whether they are truly waterproof enough to withstand mud??

Thansk

 

[Katie__Connie]

That sounds like a really good idea... never thought of that.... no idea about the chaps though

 

[milliepops]

If you mean the Equilibrium turnout chaps, I've used them on my mare who is prone to mud fever. I couldn't believe it but they did keep the mud out. I wouldn't want to leave them on 24hours though - she is only out during the day, then they come off at night so I can wash and dry them ready for the next day.

 

[Morgan123]

Ah thansk! Well that's ok, we feed her twice a day so she could just wear them overnight while it's especially cold and have them off in the day. Might give that a go - thanks! if anyone's had any bad experiences please let me know before i go spending money i don't have...!!!

 

[milliepops]

Check the size guides carefully. I thought I had followed them OK but the first pair I got were not wide enough at the fetlock. They are a bit of a pain to put on properly, you have to get them quite snugly at the hoof otherwise the mud would get inside them. Other than that I'm happy with mine, amazed they actually work.

The only thing with taking them off during the day is that she might get muddy legs in the day - I wouldn't want to put them back on top of mud. Just a thought!

 

[tammyisback]

milliepops-how do you dry yours cos mine seem to take ages?? i have the equilibrium ones too though!

 

[milliepops]

We have a greenhouse heater in the tackroom, it's a really low heat which is underneath the rug racks. I hang them above that and they dry totally overnight.

(heater like this )