Category Archives: Horse Wear

Celebrate Small Business Saturday

Celebrate Small Business Saturday in the United States this year on November 30, 2019.

Tradition

This shopping tradition began in 2010 and has grown into a welcoming way to bring local patronage to brick and mortar shopping and create a hometown atmosphere in person or online. Shopping small means, you support your community neighborhoods and local establishments.

Hometown Proud

Big Dee’s Tack & Vet Supplies has grown into a pillar of your community. Most of our employees own horses, livestock and pets or have them in their backgrounds. Employees that share your interests in all things horse and hound, english, western or racing, give you a customer experience second to none! Our mission is to serve you in a polite, friendly, most competent way. We offer saddle, helmet, and blanket fitting tips. Gifts for all your critters and a clothing selection sure to please the most competitive to the casual equestrian. We offer holiday specials throughout the store and online. Join our customer loyalty program and receive special discounts throughout the year. In years past shoppers set records all across the country sharing their support of small businesses just like ours.

Happy Holidays!

So, shop small America and share your support for local family-owned companies just like Big Dee’s Tack & Vet Supplies! Support your friends and neighbors and the local economy along the way. From our family to yours we extend a happy holiday invitation to stop in for a cup of hot chocolate this season and to shop small!

Written by: Big Dee’s Web Products Specialist, Kathy Kilbane

The Original 5/A Baker Blankets

5/A Baker Blanket, Bag & Accessories Collection

We have expanded our 5/A Baker collection ! Yes, we have the Original 5/A stable blanket in its traditional tan and blue colors and now carry their wide collection in turnouts, rainsheets, coolers, and stable blankets along with various matching barn supplies and tack carrying bags.  And we also carry the Original 5/A Baker sheet and blanket in Mini Size!

5/A Baker Original Stable Sheet

For the turnout sheets blankets we have the 2 styles, the more traditional look of the stable blankets and the Black Label collection that has the eye-catching black binding and stripe along the bottom of the blankets. We carry the original style 5/A turnouts in a waterproof sheet, medium weight 200gm fill, heavy weight 400gm fill, and an extreme heavy weight blanket with 555gm fill. Options for the coldest of winters! To match the original turnout blanket style we carry the matching waterproof neck covers, in the lined sheet style, medium weight 200gm fill, and extreme heavy weight 2100D with 200gm fill.

The Black Label collection comes in 3 different options all in the same black and tan plaid. The first being the lined turnout waterproof sheet that has no insulation, then the midweight 200gm fill, and finally the heavyweight 400gm fill blanket.

5/A Baker Black Label Turnout Blankets and Rainsheet

Along with the blankets, we have brought in the other needed blanket items by Baker as well!  We have the anti sweat sheet, square rain cover, fleece dress sheet, square fleece cooler and fleece Quarter Sheet! We even have the matching blankets for foals and your dog.

As for the stable items, you can get into the true matchy-matchy with the 5/A Baker nylon breakaway halter and chain lead rope. Hook up your horse in aisle with the Baker cross ties, and then exercise him with the matching 30 ft lunge line with chain. After your ride you can put your saddle pads on the 5/A blanket bar (also great for hanging those winter blankets/sheets) and cool your horse down with the Baker Ice boots.

5/A Baker Nylon Halter with Breakaway Crown

Of course for the human, (we can’t leave you out), you can wear the tan plaid winter scarf and there are even 2 different styles of throw blankets. They are perfect for the barns viewing room on a cold afternoon, or to bring the Baker flair home with you.

The bag collection gives you two color options for the leather binding, black and a dark brown. There are two styles for the saddle carrier bags, dressage and all purpose. And for other riding equipment there is a bridle bag, helmet bag, garment bag, and tall boot bag. Even a duffle bag for the things that don’t have their specific place! To finish the full collection there is the 5/A Baker Elizabeth Bag, which is for around down and a black or brown leather finish cross body bag.

5/A Baker Bag Collection

Make sure to check out this great collection of 5/A Baker products today!

5/A Baker Blankets, Bags and Accessories

Horsepower

horses running

No matter what horsepower you are taking care of this winter, a sports car, boat or our 4-legged friends preparation is key to keep performance high.  Heading into fall all horse owners, stable owners, horse lovers, trainers, and riders should be thinking ahead to  fall horse care before the first flakes fly or cold weather strikes.

An Ounce of Prevention

Horse activities may be slowing down but much like a boat or a seasonal vehicle, your horse needs care going into the winter months. No, you don’t need to pull the battery, shrink wrap and dry dock, or add more antifreeze but you will need to give this some thought. Beyond buying a blanket, fall health maintenance is a consideration. While cooler temperatures diminish insect-born disease, core vaccines and boosters could be needed. Mares who will be foaling bay foal standing beside grey mareduring the winter months need to be on a vaccine schedule consistent  with their due date. Likewise, foals that are weaned this fall will begin their own vaccination schedule. Check the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) website for recommended vaccine guidelines. Set up a herd health review with your veterinarian. Most veterinarians recommend at minimum vaccines, deworming and teeth floating.

Horse Care 101

Blanketing is a personal decision depending on your horse’s job. If he is a pasture pal he could get by with just a turnout rug for wet weather. Horses are generally healthy being out in the elements if they have a shelter, water, and forage. If you are on the show circuit, finishing or continuing your race meet, blanketing will be necessary to ensure a lighter hair coat for competition. Heavy exercise in cold weather can make cool-out time longer. Blanketing and clipping can help. Remember, stabled horses need year-round daily exercise and plenty of hay and water through their day to avoid health issues. hay bag tied to trailerUsing slow feed hay nets is a great idea for stabled horses and could cut down on hay cost. You may decide to pull your horse’s shoes. Just like checking your tires for the winter be prepared with an easy boot or two in the barn to handle any hoof issues that may crop up during turnout on frozen ground.

Fencekeeping

Is that a word? Nothing is more aggravating than a downed board in bay horse walking in pasturethe middle of winter during the worst snowstorm…it always happens that way am I right? Avoid this scenario by taking a walk-about to check fencing.  Pick up fencing tools and repair items, and keep a toolkit in the tack room.

It is the perfect time of year! Fly free weather is around the corner. So trail riding on bridle pathenjoy trail riding through the leaves, showing or racing.  Remember “There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man”, Winston Churchill.  Take care of your horse and he will take care of you!

Written by  Big Dee’s Web Products Specialist, Kathy Kilbane

 

Should I Blanket My Horse?

Blanketing 101

The days are getting shorter and the weather is becoming colder. The two biggest questions we get at this time of year – “Should I blanket my horse?” and “Which blanket should I choose?”.

Big Dee's | Horse BlanketsQuestion #1: Should I blanket my horse?

Answer – Well, that’s a loaded question. Let us ask you a few first:

What kind of hair coat does your horse have? Does your horse grow hair easily?  The winter horse coat comes in at two different levels – one is a shorter layer for insulation, the next is a longer layer that protects the lower layer from rain, snow and wind.  We’ve all seen those horses that look like woolly mammoths – hair that is so thick you feel bad for the owner that has to shed it out in the spring. Other horses don’t grow as much – if your horse doesn’t have a thick, luxurious coat – he probably needs an extra layer to keep warm.

Do you body clip in the winter? If you show through the winter or you work your horse regularly and don’t want to dry out a long coat often – you may body clip your horse during the winter. Without that extra hair your horse will need to be blanketed. It’s always a good idea to make sure that your horse is dry before putting the blanket on.

What kind of shelter does your horse have?  While some of our horses stay in the barn during the winter there are many others that get to go out during the day or stay out 24/7. If your horse is one that stays out 24/7, is there a place that he can get away from the precipitation and blustery weather? A horses coat will most often grow in enough to keep them warm – but sometimes they don’t. Depending on the shelter and hair coat you may need an extra layer of warmth for your horse.

How old is your horse and are they in a good body condition? Aging seniors sometimes get chilled, even with thick coats. Staying attentive to their warmth and needs will alert you to whether or not they need an extra layer. Horses that may have compromised immune systems or are recovering from any medical conditions will need extra help staying warm until they are back to their healthy state. Keeping them warm with an appropriate blanket will help them recover faster and safer as well as ease your mind.

Now that you’ve thought about your horse’s coat, shelter, age and body condition – you may be wondering which blanket you should choose.

Big Dee's | Horse BlanketsQuestion #2 – Which blanket should I choose?

Answer – It really depends on your answers from above. If you have  a horse that doesn’t have a thick coat, is outside and you live in the cold Northern states – you probably need a heavyweight, as the temps get warmer going further south you may only need a midweight or simple sheet.

Big Dee’s Country Pride blankets come in a variety of outer-coverings and thicknesses as well as turnout or stable blanket styles.

Turnout Blankets
Big Dee's Tack & Vet Supplies | Turnout Blankets
1680 Denier Turnout Blankets  – These are the some of the toughest, most durable blankets that you can buy. These turnouts have a high tear resistance. They are DuPont Teflon coated for superior wind and water proofing. The material is also breathable.

Many of the 1680D turnouts come with an inner air mesh membrane for extreme breathability and to wick away moisture, like the Ice Shield. Some have detachable hoods like the Olympia and an attached hood like the Rainier. If you’re looking for a bit of extra protection without a full hood, there are also high neck options like the Vortex. Some also come with a double adjustable snap and buckle open front closure with Velcro assist to allow for maximum adjustment like the Arctic Shield. The 1680 Denier blankets come in a range of poly-fill insulation including Heavyweight, Midweight and Lightweight warmth.

Big Dee's Tack & Vet Supplies | Turnout Blankets

1200 Denier Turnout Blankets – Strong, heavy-duty ripstop material. 1200D is the density of the yarn used in the making of the outercovering. DuPont Teflon coated for superior wind and waterproofing. The material is also breathable.

Most of 1200D turnouts come with a smooth, nylon lining that helps to keep the horse’s hair slick and clean like the Glacier.  The Paladin offers an inner mesh membrane to wick away moisture as well as high neck coverage. New, fun patterns can be seen on the Vancouver and our signature classics like the Storm Pro and Snow Ridge are tried and true winter blankets that hold up against demanding winters. The 1200 Denier blankets come in a range of poly-fill insulation including Heavyweight, Midweight and Lightweight warmth.

Big Dee's Tack & Vet Supply | Turnout Blankets
600 Denier Turnout Blankets – Strong, ripstop material. 600D is half the density of the 1200D turnouts. Great for horses that aren’t extremely tough on their blankets. DuPont Teflon coated for superior wind and waterproofing. The material is also breathable.

The 600D turnouts come with a smooth, nylon lining that helps to keep the horse’s hair slick and clean. Miniature horse blankets are available in the 600D with a strong velcro bellyband. The Klondike features a fun new argyle pattern and the Nordic is a turnout favorite. Available weights include Heavyweight or sheet with no insulation.

Stable Blankets
Big Dee's Tack & Vet Supplies | Stable Blankets
1200 Denier Stable Blankets 
– One of the toughest stable blankets you can buy. Available in tight weave Cordura material or Polypropylene. Cordura material stable blankets like the Squall  come in a bellyband style that makes it easy to stay in place with secure velcro. Polypropylene material like the Highland are tough stable blankets that also have gussets for maximum freedom of movement. The Highland also comes in Miniature Horse sizes. Many weights are available ranging from Heavyweight to Lightweight.

Big Dee's Tack & Vet Supplies | Stable Blankets

420 Denier Stable Blankets – One of our most popular stable blanket options.  The Sentinel Channel Quilt is a favorite for it’s durability and quality. It has an open two buckle front for ease and convenience. The Diamond Quilt offers a strong and secure velcro bellyband. The Polarfleece Lined Sheet is a great choice to extra warmth.

Turnout & Rain Sheets
Big Dee's | Turnout Sheets

Turnout & Rain sheets are perfect for horses that need an extra for protection from the elements, but not the poly-fill for warmth. Our large selection found here offers every type of outdoor sheet you may need – from a rain sheet to protect horse and tack at a show to heavy-duty strength for horses that are tough on blankets.

Stable Sheets
Big Dee's | Stable Sheet

Stable sheets are great for keeping your horse protected and clean while in the barn, without the heavy fill and warmth of a stable blanket. We carry many options from cotton to nylon that can be found here.

Coolers & Anti-Sweats
Big Dee's | Cooler

Our large selection of Coolers & Anti-Sweat Sheets can be found here at Big Dee’s Tack & Vet Supplies. Coolers serve a wide range from cooling out, keeping a horse warm by itself or under a blanket and other everyday uses.

Click here to view all of our horsewear selections

Hopefully this helped you decide which blanket you need. Please call our knowledgeable customer service staff if you have any questions – 800-321-2142 or email sales@bigdweb.com

Rambo Trade-In Event

The Big Rambo Trade-In Event!

Bring in your used, cleaned turnout blankets in any brand or style & receive $50 off a new Rambo Turnout! Your old turnout will be donated to a local equine charity. To get involved, just follow these steps:

1. Wash your old turnouts

2. Bring your old turnouts into the store, 9440 State Route 14 Streetsboro, OH 44241 or mail them to us.

3. Select your new Rambo turnout (any weight, any style)

4. Complete the trade-in vaucher and we will submit it for you.

5. Automatically receive $50 OFF each new Rambo Turnout for each turnout traded in!

Promotion valid October 1 – November 26, 2015.

SnowRidge Heavyweight Waterproof Turnout Blanket

snowridgeblog
SnowRidge Heavyweight Waterproof Turnout Blanket

Winter weather is upon us. If you are like me you want you horse to stay warm and dry! This turnout blanket is perfect for the cold weather!

Let’s start with the basic outercovering on turnout blankets…

There are different outercovers that you can get in a turnout blanket. While researching you’ll start to notice the word Denier popping up. Denier is the measurement yarn. 1 denier = a single strand of silk (1 denier = 1 gram per 9000 meters). The material is tougher as the denier gets higher!

The SnowRidge Heavyweight Turnout Blanket is made of a 1200 Denier nylon outercover. Heavyweight 300 grams high grade polyfill insulation. It has a 210D nylon lining which will help keep your horses hair smooth and shiny!

Lots of features:

  • Fleece wither protection
  • Shoulder gussets
  • 2 buckle open front
  • Bias surcingles
  • Adjustable/detachable elastic leg straps
  • Tail flap

 

The SnowRidge has reinforced stitching and no back seam so the water stays out!

Two color options – Black or Blue. Sizes 60″, 64″, 68″- 86″

Watch the SnowRidge in action here!

Available for purchase at www.bigdweb.com

 

Country Pride Nordic Waterproof Turnout Blankets

Nordic Waterproof Turnout Horse Blankets
Nordic Turnout Blanket

It’s a beautiful 70º day in Northeast Ohio but there are snow flurries in our 7 day forecast! How am I going to keep my horse toasty this winter, you ask? Well … you’re in luck! Big Dee’s has a great line of horse blanket from Country Pride that can keep every horse warm no matter the temperature or what crazy winter conditions Mother Nature throws at us this year!

Let’s start with the basic outercovering on turnout blankets ..

There are different outercovers that you can get in a turnout blanket. While researching you’ll start to notice the word Denier popping up. Denier is the measurement yarn. 1 denier = a single strand of silk (1 denier = 1 gram per 9000 meters). The most economical turnout is a 600 Denier outercover.

NORDIC HEAVYWEIGHT WATERPROOF TURNOUT BLANKET

The Country Pride Nordic Heavyweight Blanket is made of 600 denier outercover. Choice of heavyweight insulation (300 grams of highloft polyfill) or a rainsheet. It has a 210D nylon lining which will help keep your horses hair smooth and shiny!

Lots of features on the Nordic
  • Fleece wither protection
  • Shoulder gussets
  • 2 buckle open front with velcro assist
  • Bias surcingles
  • Adjustable/detachable elastic leg straps
  • Tail flap

The Nordic has reinforced stitching and no back seam so the water stays out!

Two color options – Black or Burgundy/Black plaid. Sizes 68″ – 86″

Watch the blanket in action here  

Available for purchase at Bigdweb.com!

 

 

The Perfect Fit – How to Measure for a Horse Blanket

blanketfitting
As I sit here looking out one of the windows in the office, and I see the first snow of the year falling, I’ve come to the realization that it is that time of year again, and I haven’t replaced my horses winter blankets yet! Which got me thinking, maybe I should post a reminder on how to measure your horse for the perfect fit.With literally hundreds of different brands and types of horse blankets out there, finding the perfect fit for your horse can be overwhelming. However, if you find your horse’s size before starting to shop, you are already ahead in the game. Although many first-time blanket shoppers think that their horse’s blanket size is based on his/her height or weight, it is actually based on your horse’s length. Here is a quick breakdown of how to measure you horse for a blanket:

First:

stand your horse on a hard leveled surface being sure that he or she is nice and square.

Second:

using a soft measuring tape or a long piece of string, place one end in the center of your horse’s chest.  Measure from the center of the chest, along the left side, to the middle of the tail. Be sure to cross over the point of shoulder (widest part of the shoulder), and that you keep your tape pulled tight. If you used a piece of string, once you got the length, simply compare it to tape measure to get your horse’s size.

Measuring is usually easiest with the help of a second person, however if you have to do it alone, draw the tape along your horse’s left side as far as you can, once you have reached as far as you can, mark the spot with your right thumb AND take notice of the measurement. Then restart measuring from that point to the furthest point of the rump, then simply add the two measurements together to get your horse’s size.

Most stock blankets come in even sizes, so if your horse measures an odd number, round up to the closest even size. For example, if you horse measures 73″, use a size 74 blanket.

blanket-measuring

Why is finding the correct size important?

A blanket that is too big is more likely to cause rubs than one that is too small, and can be dangerous.

Leg Straps and surcingles that are not properly adjusted (allow for a hands width) can cause rubs if too tight or you run the risk of your horse’s legs getting caught and tangled in the straps if they are too long.

If the neck of the blanket is too big, the blanket will hang off the back of the horse, which will place pressure on the chest and shoulders, which can restrict the movement of your horse and cause muscle soreness. It can also increase the possibility of rubbing and slippage and the horse may be in danger of stepping on the blanket when trying to stand after laying down or rolling.

Now comes the fun part!

Just like dressing smartly for winter riding, you want your horse to look classy and smart in their winter dubs too! Also, don’t forget your dog! We carry matching blankets for dogs and horse!

Measuring your dog is pretty easy too:

dogmeasure

Employee Review of Back On Track Mesh Sheet

Most, if not all of our employees here at Big Dee’s are true horse-people. Meaning they have owned, worked with, and/or show/shown horses. Many have been involved in the horse industry for numerous years. Within that knowledge, we’ve all had personal experiences with horse related products. We know what products really work and we want to share our experiences with our customers!

Big Dee’s Marketing Assistant & Customer Service Rep, Jen Ahwash, says her favorite products would have to be anything made by Back on Track.

kit 1

7862C – Ceramic Mesh Sheet by Back on Track

“My Irish Draught/Arabian mare has always been fairly tense and nervous.  She was always the horse that spooked at everything and carried a lot of tension in her whole body so when we warmed up, especially at shows, it took me a long time to get her to relax and move more freely.  I mainly do eventing so a long warm up before dressage is not a good thing when you either have cross country or stadium to do later in the day. I bought the Back On Track mesh sheet and started using it and gradually built up the time she was wearing it.

It made a huge difference and cut our warm up time in half! I could trailer her in it, leave it on her overnight, or put it on her while I braided her.  She would start out so much more relaxed and looser through her body.  It made such a difference that I bought the t-shirt for myself.  We went from having good tests to having great tests with a lot of low scores. Our jumping improved because she was more relaxed and able to use her body and become much more adjustable.  The price is well worth it because you can use it for years and years and use it on other horses as well.”

aec