Recommendations for the most effective fleece cooler I can get on a budget?

Hels_Bells

Hels_Bells

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I need to get a new cooler/fleece cooler for my boy as he's currently in an old one that is far too big for him and has to be tied up with bits of string/circingles etc to make it fit. :confused:

I want to get him the best/most effective one I can but am on a student budget so don't have a huge amount (i.e. can't afford new thermatexes etc) so just looking for recommendations as where other people got theirs from etc and how well they work!

Thanks xxx
 
Without a doubt, the cheapest and most efficient cooler are the Aerborn string vests that we all had and most people have them in their tack room still. There are usually some on ebay or let me know what size you need and I'll have a look.
 
Thanks all for the advice and recommendations. I always thought I fleece and cooler were different things but then I read a post on here that said that fleeces were just as good... So thought I must be wrong!! I will try to find it again as it was in a search I did.

I do still have a net type one. I kind of assumed they were a bit outdated and the new wicking rug style coolers etc were an advancement. If my horse works up a sweat in winter would you recommend I use that and then put another rug on top? I'm happy to use them in summer as it's warm enough to just put them on on their own but obviously in winter it would be too cold to do that and wondered if moisture would not be able to get out if I put another rug on top??
 
MFH9 said:
Without a doubt, the cheapest and most efficient cooler are the Aerborn string vests that we all had and most people have them in their tack room still. There are usually some on ebay or let me know what size you need and I'll have a look.
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Agree with you, I've just dug out a similar one of my mum's which is over 25years ols and I'll be using it on Lace after hard exercise
(I think they're starting to make a reappearance, but smaller holes, more like mesh, mark todd and derby house do one.
These are along similar lines
http://www.derbyhouse.co.uk/prodshow.asp?id=6288&cat=2&scats=48,87
10th one down - http://www.old-dairy-online-saddlery-shop.co.uk/acatalog/Coolers.html)
 
Until Thermatex came along, the string vests were a Godsend as before that, it would be thatching with straw! Our hunters, when they first came back would all have their string vest on with the front corners of top rug thrown back and fastened with a roller. The heat would rise through the top rug to sit on top but the horse would be cosy and dry under it; we would change the top rug but leave the vest on in case the horse broke out overnight. Vests were very often used to give extra warmth without weight too under the top rug. Another tip if you have a cold horse, put a vest under the top rug and even if the legs are wet and muddy, put stable bandages on; within an hour the legs will be dry and will have warmed up the horse all over. Sorry, rabbitting on!
I think the only drawback to vests now is they don't have surcingles attached so you either need a roller or a sheet over the top to keep them in place - or sew on a belly strap like the Thermatex have.
 
actually ditto re string vests - i still use mine a lot - esp in the way MHF9 describes = i do get odd looks at the yard though as most of them wonder what on earth i am doing...

actually MFH9 - the weatherbeeta wick dry i posted is half mesh and half microfibre fleece and works v similar to that ;) i'd def recommend it :)
 
That looks quite smart CC but do the mesh sides carry on, on top or under the fleece? If the mesh is on top, I can't quite see the point as the fleece bit won't trap air pockets which helps both cool and warm the horse, whichever is needed.
Years ago, someone made a rug which was a vest inside under a cotton summer sheet; they worked brilliantly but I can't remember who made them and haven't seen them for years; it would have been something like in the '70s!
 
MFH9 said:
That looks quite smart CC but do the mesh sides carry on, on top or under the fleece? If the mesh is on top, I can't quite see the point as the fleece bit won't trap air pockets which helps both cool and warm the horse, whichever is needed.
Years ago, someone made a rug which was a vest inside under a cotton summer sheet; they worked brilliantly but I can't remember who made them and haven't seen them for years; it would have been something like in the '70s!
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I think it's meant to have the mesh on top but I use it upside down if that's the case, as I put the mesh in direct contact with the horse (if you see what I mean?) if horse is sweaty, so the fleece is the top layer. I spent ages at the yard with another livery trying to work out which way it's supposed to go. I'm positive there are pics on the bag of a horse wearing it both ways.
 
Can just imagine you holding up this way and that way with a puzzled look on your face, lol!
At least they've made it so it can be used either way, that's something as I can't imagine what good having the mesh outside as the only way to use it is meant to do.
 
Go to www.thesportshq. They are mainly a golfing shop but were recently selling a very nice fleece for £10. Me and a load of friends bought them and they were excellent for the money. If you spend £50 the postage is free and they do polo shirts and all sorts of sportswear
 
Couldn't resist buying a half price (£10) fleece rug at Tesco. It wicks better than both my weatherbeeta and amigo fleeces.

Otherwise, shires fleece rugs are very effective for the price.
 
I have a weatherbeeta wick mesh which is really good if the horse is very sweaty. Mark Todd also do one. They are very cost effective. I usually use it for 10 mins then swap for a fleece/thermatex after in the winter to stop too rapid cooling. In the summer the wick mesh is enough. If you use an old fashioned mesh you need to put a fleece on top! The mesh on it's own doesn't wick away anything! Weatherbeeta and other makes do just a fleece on it's own which does help with cooling and wicking. I do sometimes use just that and you can see the moisture on top of the fleece. Also weatherbeeta do a thermatex style rug which is cheaper if you wanted one like that.
 
If you want a rug to wick away sweat and maintain an even body temperature on a budget then Shires do a fleece rug that still wicks for £19.99. I'm really not a fan of most Shires rugs but this one works which is a bonus as I only bought it as a lw rug to keep the chill off.
 
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