Exercise Sheets?

[Trifein]

I'm planning to have my TB Gelding fully clipped this Winter and I was told it would benefit him to have an exercise sheet on him for the colder times in November/December/January.

I have only used exercise sheets for hacking and such but can they really be used for schooling?
I'll be riding early morning on my College days off (Around 9.30am) but I usually ride around 5.30 in the evening so I can see why one could be needed for the cold in both the morning and evening.

I'll be doing schooling 3/4 times a week then one Pessoa Lunging session.

Opinions?

 

[CrazyMare]

I have wrap around ones that go under the saddle flaps, and a 'normal' one to go under a roller for lunging.

I ALWAYS use them every ride in winter, and I often ride before work, tacking up at 5.45am sometimes!

One of mine will keep hers on most of a session if its very cold, or have it off after starting gentle trot work before moving on, another will just have it on for the first 5-10 mins then have it off, she is a much hotter horse.

 

[ClassicG&T]

I have a hi viz waterproof one that i use for everything. I can ride in the rain, and it keeps horsey warm in winter when he is clipped and doesnt bother him in any way.

Mine has a saddle shape cut out and has velcro infront of the pommel and you either put your stirrups over or under it

 

[Trifein]

Thanks guys, I'll be on the hunt for one now!

I'll probably have to take it off him after some trot work because he heats up quickly.

 

[Enfys]

Perhaps consider a quarter sheet rather than an exercise sheet, they are a different cut, less restrictive, smaller, shorter and designed to cover the loins not the entire back end as exercise sheets do.

If it works for racehorses working then I don't see why they can't be useful for schooling.

Or, you find yourself one of those wrap around style ones that can be used for warm up and cool down and taken off as and when required. It depends on your horse, the weather and what you are doing at the time etc. Certainly not practical for lunging with a pessoa I should imagine.

Or, you can do a high blanket clip rather than a full clip, does the same job

 

[Natz88]

I have a fleece rambo wrap around, couple of waterprood sheets that go under the saddle & I have just purchased this exercise sheet, which may be better for you if you are likely to want to take it off.

http://www.robinsonsequestrian.com/exercise-sheet-with-light.html