Using summer sheets as liners?

[Theocat]

Does anyone do this, and how do you find it? Pros? Cons?

Mine doesn't really need the extra warmth of most liners (and I've already got the rugs in the weights we need) but I'd like to be able to keep a clean(er) layer on him, so I was wondering about a summer sheet that can be washed at home as necessary.

 

[WelshD]

I do so reasonably often though i lapse every now and again. I keep an eye out for cheap cotton ones secondhand

I like the Snuggy Hood petticoat too, these are super handy - i think they are in their online sale too

I have a few fleeces too but i find they slip back and get very static if used as under rugs. Cotton ones tend to stay put

I've also used fly rugs and lycra body wraps as under rugs. The fly rugs are actually pretty good especially if combos!

I do like using an under rug as i change turnouts for stable rugs and something underneath stops the pony cooling down when a new rug goes on

I have lapsed hugely this season though - must get back in to the habit!!

 

[Wheels]

Used to do this with the racehorses although the outside of stable rugs get covered in poo anyway so need washing from time to time regardless of liners

 

[Theocat]

The petticoat looks great - thanks! Also pretty cheap in the sale ...

I'm not a fan of fleeces and I'd worry about the extra warmth, but I could look into the cotton ones as well if I spot something cheap.

My fly rug is minging, so it would defeat the purpose of the exercise but that's useful to know!

 

[Theocat]

Used to do this with the racehorses although the outside of stable rugs get covered in poo anyway so need washing from time to time regardless of liners

Mine stays in his turnout - I'd still get it washed as necessary, but I'd prefer to have a cleaner inside; I hate putting a nasty greasy rug back on to a newly groomed horse!

 

[friskyfilly]

I use a summer sheet/cotton sheet under my horses turnout (he lives out 24/7) I change the sheet weekly and wash so he always has a clean layer near coat. But also grease goes on sheet rather then on turnout

 

[AdorableAlice]

I have a Kool Coat, cannot remember who makes them but it is such a useful bit of kit. 100% cotton with detachable neck and is roomy. It washes well. I use it in the summer at shows to keep flies off, travel in it, useful on breezy days at shows, useful on newly washed horse under stable rugs.

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

couple of liveries do - I do not as they contribute to rubs and tightening round the chest.


I do how ever use an underug

 

[amandaco2]

Just bought petticoats for mine!hope they are good

 

[AdorableAlice]

couple of liveries do - I do not as they contribute to rubs and tightening round the chest.


No rug needs to mark or rub a horse, simply use a vest.

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

No rug needs to mark or rub a horse, simply use a vest.

They may not need to mark and rub but in some instances they do. A summer sheet is made for stable / traveling. It has not got chest silk on the front to provide smooth sliding across the fur when galloping round the field this is not their purpose.


To quote from my training notes :

A summer sheet is a light cotton horse rug that offers protection against dust and flies during the summer. They are often used as a light stable rug or travel rug in the summer.


I will not use a vest, this may STOP some "rubs" but the fact you need to use one rings alarm bells something does not fit correctly.

 

[AdorableAlice]

They may not need to mark and rub but in some instances they do. A summer sheet is made for stable / traveling. It has not got chest silk on the front to provide smooth sliding across the fur when galloping round the filed this is not their purpose.


To quote from my training notes :

A summer sheet is a light cotton horse rug that offers protection against dust and flies during the summer. They are often used as a light stable rug or travel rug in the summer.


I will not use a vest, this may STOP some "rubs" but the fact you need to use one rings alarm bells something does not fit correctly.

A good quality sheet will be lined. Not all horses are blessed with perfect conformation and need help to prevent rubbing from rugs, ie, a horse with exceptionally high withers. Unless owners are prepared to purchased bespoke rugs certain types will need additional help. Training notes are fabulous but own horses for long enough and realise they don't all read the notes.

 

[Patterdale]

I do not as they contribute to rubs and tightening round the chest.

This.

However well each rug fits, IME summer sheets always tend to tighten under another rug. Just the weight of another rug on top of he bindings alone looks uncomfortable.
I used to work for someone who insisted on this and the poor horses looked so uncomfortable. I'd never do it to mine.

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

A good quality sheet will be lined. Not all horses are blessed with perfect conformation and need help to prevent rubbing from rugs, ie, a horse with exceptionally high withers. Unless owners are prepared to purchased bespoke rugs certain types will need additional help. Training notes are fabulous but own horses for long enough and realise they don't all read the notes.

Still the bottom line is they are not designed to be used under a turn out. Rubs / pressure is at owners risk, the same with fleece's under turn outs.

I am not dissing people for using them as liners etc or their views. I am stating fact they are not designed to be used under a turn out. Its not their purpose and rubs can and do occur.

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

This.

However well each rug fits, IME summer sheets always tend to tighten under another rug. Just the weight of another rug on top of he bindings alone looks uncomfortable.
I used to work for someone who insisted on this and the poor horses looked so uncomfortable. I'd never do it to mine.

^5 this
I myself have had to cut a rug off a horse where it had slipped and got so tight round front the straps could not be undone.

Adorable Alice your entitle to your view as I am with mine as I back it up with.


A. what I was trained to do and not to do BHS in 1989-1981
B. my own experience on MY yard with MY liveries of which one is wearing a sheet now and I just went out to check her and its very snug round her chest.
C. 40+ years of working with horses.

 

[Auslander]

Snuggy Hoods are going to be scratching their heads in the morning! Sudden rush of orders on petticoats at 10.30pm-ish.

I just bought one too

 

[amandaco2]

Lol I bought 3! Thats one for each horse wearing rugs.

 

[Auslander]

They are so cheap that it'd be rude not to! I needed something light to go under his turnout, and this fits the bill perfectly.

Might have to get one for the spare horse too.

 

[amandaco2]

I also find cotton and fleece can rub if worn outdoor. I much prefer something shiny and silky on their skin.
Ive also seen the fleece rugs used as a thin warm layer and looked tight and uncomfy around chest each morning - liveries horses- and caused rubs. One high withered tb got really sore withers but til that point the owner wanted the fleece on so it went on. Once they got rubbed and sore it was a nightmare to resolve!

 

[Theocat]

Thanks everyone.

I was worried about the rubbing / being pulled back (I don't like fleeces for that reason), so I've gone for a petticoat. They had a busy night last night; there were seven in stock at 6'3" yesterday evening and now I've just ordered one they're down to three!

 

[Auslander]

Thanks everyone.

I was worried about the rubbing / being pulled back (I don't like fleeces for that reason), so I've gone for a petticoat. They had a busy night last night; there were seven in stock at 6'3" yesterday evening and now I've just ordered one they're down to three!

No 6"6's left - which is what Spike the Spare needs, so obv wasn't meant to be. Ordered a 7ft for Alf - and there are plenty of them left!

 

[AdorableAlice]

Spike the Spare. Love it !!

 

[Auslander]

Spike the Spare. Love it !!

I have welsh blood! He's a super little horse, but unfortunately he is in competition with Alf for top dog status - a very tall order!

 

[AdorableAlice]

Got me thinking, never a good thing. Ted the T..........maybe not.

 

[Auslander]

Got me thinking, never a good thing. Ted the T..........maybe not.

Terrified?

 

[AdorableAlice]

Terrified?

That's the word, mine had a few s' s in !

 

[Auslander]

That's the word, mine had a few s' s in !

That word with all the s's - I've already reserved that for one of my herd members for when she's in one of her moods!

Alf is usually Alf the Awesome, but he has one that starts with A and has several s's in it too - reserved for the days he tries to kill me, or his fieldmates!