An inexpensive neck warmer for horses can help protect them against cold winter winds that might sneak through their skin gaps on top of their heads, regulate temperature levels and help cool them down after exercise.
Put simply, placing dry coolers on wet horses begins the osmotic process which pulls water – sweat or bathwater – out of their bodies in order to help with cooling and recovery.
Keeps them warm
As soon as the sun goes down and temperature falls, your horse will produce more of its thick winter coat to stay warm by fluffing up his individual hairs on his neck and shoulders and trapping air close to his body for added insulation. An addition of horse neck warmers may provide another layer of heat, especially around areas that may be difficult to heat like ears and necks.
Back on Track Therapeutic Mesh Neck Cover is made of breathable mesh combined with their exclusive Welltex material to mirror your horse’s natural body energy, creating soothing far infrared thermal warmth when his/her skin touches it. This helps increase blood circulation, relax tight and sore muscles and speed recovery after training sessions or workouts for your horse. You can use it before exercise to warm up neck muscles and loosen them or afterward to aid recovery and reduce muscle soreness or stiffness.
One Stop Equine Shop provides a selection of horse sheets, blankets and neck covers designed to meet any budget or need. Our collection features both light and heavyweight blankets in addition to fleece and wool products; some products may be tailored towards autumn/winter use while others can be used year-round – we even provide fly hoods/covers that attach securely to fly sheets to provide extra protection from insects!
Some horse blankets feature integrated neck covers to make dressing your horse simpler. These covers are attached directly to the blanket and overlap enough that your horse’s neck remains covered when dropping his head for eating. You’ll find them in various styles ranging from lightweight turnout blankets with no fill to medium weight stable blankets and heavyweight stable blankets.
Alternative covers that attach directly to your horse’s halter are also an option, especially if your horse has a small neck but large body and you want his head covered while eating or drinking, or the integrated cover is too long for his neck.
Keeps them cool
Your horse sweat will become trapped against its body when covered by a blanket, helping keep him warm while also becoming saturated with moisture before drying completely. A neck warmer helps wick away this moisture so your horse remains cool.
Even when not riding in colder climates, having extra protection for your horse is always wise. At One Stop Equine Shop we carry a selection of neck covers, hoods and blankets designed specifically to keep him warm in cold conditions.
Blankets come in all weights and styles, so finding one suitable for your horse is of utmost importance. Some key features to keep an eye out for include fill weight, denier rating and cuffs – these will determine whether it meets his or her specific needs. Fill weight refers to how much “stuffing” (ie stuffing material used inside) that may range from lightweight to heavyweight weight; denier rating measures the density of fabric’s nylon fibers which tells you how durable or water resistant the blanket actually is compared to its peers.
Cozi Guard and Snug Fit blanket cuff options provide additional protection from the elements for horses, working well in conjunction with coolers. Both provide a fitted cuff that sits behind the ears to seal off wind and rain from entering. Furthermore, some options come equipped with polar fleece lining that adds additional warmth even when wet.
Show scrims are another excellent solution; these thin open-weave sheets often seen draped over horses at shows are an affordable and fashionable way to keep their coat clean while cooling them down from rides. Many models come equipped with flashy colors and personalized embroidery so as to stand out against competitors at shows.
If you’re uncertain if a cuff or cooler are necessary for your horse’s comfort, try feeling his chest and flank areas. He shouldn’t feel any warmer than you; otherwise it could indicate either that his blanket is too small or that it has overblanketed him.
Aids with recovery
An effective neck blanket can aid recovery from rides. However, you should avoid using one that is too tight on the shoulders; excessive pressure can alter circulation and lead to muscle contractures in the neck area, particularly for horses with neck injuries. Therefore it’s wise to always inspect your horse’s neck condition prior to using a new neck rug.
After exercise, another effective way of aiding recovery is using a liniment. Liniments are liquids or gels applied directly onto a horse’s skin that increase surface evaporation and cool the muscles, helping remove heat and metabolic byproducts such as lactic acid from them and thus reduce soreness and speed up recovery time.
Iceing your horse after each exercise session can also help reduce swelling and increase blood flow to its limbs, aiding with recovery while simultaneously rehydrating him/her and speeding up recovery time.
After exercising, some riders prefer using an herbal-based liniment such as Cool Pack Green Jelly Liniment to soothe the cannon regions of their legs, either alone or combined with bandages. Others use cooling boots or wraps like Icetight Poultice to cool their limbs further and help avoid build-up of lactic acid. A good ice cooler can aid in this process while also helping avoid buildup of lactic acid in their tissues.
An effective therapeutic blanket can assist with recovery from injuries. Blankets help improve microcirculation and oxygen delivery to parts of the body that need it the most, as well as decrease tension and reduce inflammation. An example is the Equi Cool Down Equine Neck Blanket, which offers gentle cooling via its jugular vein; adjustable spandex straps ensure it remains securely wrapped without becoming too tight.
No matter their discipline or level of competition, a proper warm-up for your horse is key to their health and performance. Not only can it reduce risk of injury by warming the soft tissues in their muscles and increasing elasticity; but it’s also a great way to familiarise him/her with work and build endurance.
Prevents cold air from getting in
As temperatures get cold and damp, many horse owners worry about providing adequate housing, health care and exercise throughout the winter season for their horses. Many don’t realize there’s equipment out there which can assist with keeping horses healthy and comfortable such as neck warmers.
Horse neck warmers provide protection from cold air when temperatures drop, helping prevent cold air from coming in and causing them to shiver. Furthermore, these products help prevent heat loss while simultaneously keeping horses warm. The ideal horse neck warmers should be made of lightweight yet breathable materials so as to stay secure during active riding sessions.
High-neck designs help relieve pressure on the withers and offer protection from rain, snow and wind. In addition, these blankets can be easier to put on than their traditional counterparts as they fasten lower down on the chest.
Trainers use sweats during workout sessions to increase the amount of sweat produced by horses, helping them make more out of each training session. Neoprene neck sweats provide flexible yet stretchable comfort that allows trainers to customize a customized fit, featuring adjustable Velcro tabs to secure them close to their horse’s body as possible.
Horses begin producing their thicker winter coat in July and shed their thinner summer coat in October, leaving long, coarse hairs that help trap warm air against their bodies. When wearing a neck sweater or blanket, individual hairs flatten out and lose their ability to trap warm air – and cold air can enter through it, chilling the horse considerably.
When selecting a blanket for a horse, it is essential to take both their size and climate into consideration. A heavy blanket will cause them to overheat while light blankets can lead to them shivering. Furthermore, waterproof and breathable materials should also help ensure cooling and drying – many horse blanket manufacturers offer their own specialized fabrics which meet these specifications while offering additional hoods to provide additional warmth or cover their face.