I don't know where you are, but we rode in the
Midwest for many years. We rode in cold, snow, cold rain, and sometimes
when the weather was good. The worst was rain at any temperature lower
than hot. We understand how at Aachen horses could develop slight lameness
at the end of a hold.
If you look in the average MN or WI horse trailer
you will find an enormous stack of coolers and blankets. Some are canvas,
some are wool, some are Polar Fleece, and some are so old that they defy fiber
description. At a cold, rainy vet check you will find that the horses have
everyone on. It is quite a sight.
I guess my advice is to purchase a neat attractive
one and add it to your collection.
My personal favorite water proof one is linin
canvas (not used much now, they usually are cotton) with a "shoddy"*
lining. We also use the cheapest cotton canvas ones treated, at home, with
Thompson's Water Seal. These are placed over an insulating
blanket.
Tack swaps are a good source of old, ugly, but
servicable blankets and coolers.
*Before the American Civil War (War of Northern
Aggression, for Ridecampers from below the Mason Dixon Line) "shoddy" only meant
reprocessed wool, which is great for linings. In the textile industry it
still means that, but because some Union contractors cheated and made uniforms
from it (they fell apart) it picked up the common meaning of poor
quality.
Ed
Ed & Wendy Hauser 2994 Mittower
Road Victor, MT 59875
