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Conference noted::equitation

Title:Equine Notes Conference
Notice:Topics List=4, Horses 4Sale/Wanted=150, Equip 4Sale/Wanted=151
Moderator:MTADMS::COBURNIO
Created:Tue Feb 11 1986
Last Modified:Thu Jun 05 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:2080
Total number of notes:22383

744.0. "Cooling Out-When to Use a Cooler" by FIDERE::NAMOGLU (Sheryl Namoglu : VMS Development ) Mon Oct 10 1988 09:33

    
    I have a question about coolers and cooling a horse out ( especially
    after this weekend!).
    
    In particular,  when should a cooler be used?  Is it sufficient
    to walk the horse until he feels cool and then put him in the stall
    or pasture without a cooler?  This particular horse is not clipped
    at all right now and spends his days outside.
    
    When I used to take lessons - I would walk the horse around a bit
    after the lesson until they were relatively cool - and then cross
    tie them in the aisle with a cooler/blanket on them.  I would then
    leave and the instructor would put them up sometime later.  Of course,
    this doesn't work now - and I certainly didn't learn much by just
    leaving them standing in the aisle.  
                                                 
    Any info or advice you could offer would be greatly appreciated.
    
    Sherry
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name		DateLines
744.1My methodASD::WIMBERGMon Oct 10 1988 12:3832
    Hi Sherry,
    
    The main reason to use a cooler is to keep the horse from cooling
    down too fast and thereby catching a chill. Ball players do the
    same by wearing jackets. I work it like this, after riding I walk
    my horse (some on her back, some leading her) until her breathing
    has returned to normal, then I cross tied her and untack her. I
    put a cooler over her back. If moderately cold, I may folded it
    back so it only covers her haunches. If we worked up a sweat, I
    cover the part that's wet until she is cool. She's cool when the
    spot between her front legs are cool. When it's really cold outside,
    its hard to tell, so I check the horse in the stall next to her's
    as a gauge. I leave the cooler on her while I'm grooming, folding
    it back to expose the area I'm grooming.  To me, a cooler is a large
    square wool thing without suringles, so I never leave it on in the
    stall or pasture. If its really cold, I put on a blanket, fitted
    with suringles. I never put it on a wet horse, even if they are
    cool - makes a good place for fungus to grow.  My horse stays inside,
    so I'm guessing but I think it is too early in the year to be
    blanketing a horse who stays outside - remember its going to get
    much colder this winter.
    
    On trick I learned - if you think the horse is cool. Put'm away,
    in this case out in the pasture. Then wait 5 or 10 minutes and check'm
    again. If they aren't hot again or they aren't shaking, you did
    a good job. Also, remember its better to be over cautious and take
    a few minutes longer than put'm away too soon and have a colic.
    
    I'm anixous to hear what other noters have to say..
    
    Nancy
744.2explanationASD::WIMBERGMon Oct 10 1988 12:4411
    
    As I re-read my note I think I left it unclear - if my horse needs
    a blanket and she's wet. I wait until she's dry and then I put her
    blanket on. I'd never to Mocc away wet and cold. It makes for some
    long evenings until I get her clipped but she'd never forgive me
    if I was so unkind.
    
    I don't clipp until I have to so October and November can be trying.
    
    Nancy
744.3We usually keep them on till they're dryNOWIMP::DADDAMIOHopelessly optimisticMon Oct 10 1988 16:1315
    We usually walk our horses till they are breathing normally.  Since
    they usually work up a sweat, we put the coolers on them immediately
    when we get back to the barn and take the saddles off from underneath
    the coolers.  If the horses are still hot, we'll hand walk them
    with the coolers on.  If not, we put them in their stalls and give
    them some hay.  Our horses are really good about having the coolers
    on in the stall (as long as they have something to eat!).  If you're
    unsure about how the horse will react, then put a sheet on them
    instead or watch them carefully several times.  Horses can really
    rip up a cooler if they try to roll with it.  We check them after
    15-20 minutes to see if they've dried off yet.  We usually keep
    the coolers on till they're dry (or just about dry as long as they
    are inside and warm).
    
    						Jan