Horseworldproblems Part 2: Blankets, Blankets Everywhere
As the days are getting warmer (ok, recently colder again but there is hope!), one of the most annoying things for me as a horse owner will be over as well: blanketing. It is not only that you need tons of turnout blankets (different padding for different temperatures: one without for the rainy days in November, one for the slightly colder days between 0 and 10degC and a real thick and heavy one for the below Zero days – and two each to change – waterproof is most of the time waterproof on paper only), you also need sweat blankets. Here too, you need more than one.
So at the end of blanket season, there is always the question what to do and where to store all these. For the sweat blankets, it is pretty easy, the go –apart from the hairy problem they have – into the washing machine. I make sure that I use no softener as it can irritate the horses skin but I do also not use a special detergents. There are probably horses that are more sensitive, so in case, use a detergent with no perfumes. In the drug store they have already all sorts of detergents even for people (and of course horses) with allergies or sensitive skin.
For the turnout rugs, I do not put them in the washing machine. As there is a waterproofing on them, I do not want to wash that away. And re- waterproof them with a special detergents would give me the impression that I also take away their ability to breath – as they will (according to me!) also be waterproofed on the inside. A possibility would be to wash them in the backyard with a hose and brush and let them hang – for a good month I guess as they smell terrible already!
For storage, I have these nice huge plastic bags from Ikea that at least give me the impression to not let any bad smell through as I am storing them in my basement – yes, neighbors, that is original Hafl smell you realize down there ;) And they are really big enough for several blankets.
That’s it! Make sure that you do not see them until let’s say November – that would just remind you of the tedious blanket season ;)
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