Like the lightweight sweatshirt in your gym bag, a cooler is a useful part of a working horse’s wardrobe. Made from warm but breathable materials, coolers (also called anti-sweat sheets or scrims) control the rate at which a hot horse cools down, reducing the risk of chills. They can also help horses dry after a bath without getting chilled. Most coolers do this in three ways:
- By wicking moisture away from the horse’s skin and onto the fabric’s outer surface, where it evaporates.
- By blocking the wind, which will literally blow away the heat produced by the horse’s body.
- By trapping and retaining warmth between the fibers of the fabric to act as insulation.
How to Use a Cooler
To get the greatest benefit from a cooler, toss it over your wet or sweaty horse and walk him until his pulse and respiration rates return to normal. Then, keep him in a draft-free area, with the cooler on, until his skin feels warm—not hot—to the touch. But be watchful while he is wearing a cooler. Some do not secure as well as regular blankets, which makes it easier for a horse to become tangled.
When your horse’s coat is mostly dry and his skin feels nearly normal in temperature, you can remove the cooler and put on his regular blanket if he wears one.
Choosing the Right Cooler for Your Horse
Different cooler materials serve different purposes. Fleece is best for cold weather or clipped horses because it’s soft and warm and has excellent moisture-wicking properties. Traditional wool is highly breathable and continues to insulate even when damp. It’s often heavier and more expensive than other types of coolers. Light, breathable mesh is better suited for warm weather or quick dry-downs because it’s less insulating.
Coolers range from ultra-light to fairly heavy. Consider your weather conditions, whether your horse is clipped, and how much your horse sweats. If your barn is warm, a lighter cooler might be all you need, even in winter.
Tip: Some horse owners keep more than one type of cooler on hand for different seasons.
You’ll also want to decide on a closure style. Common options include:
- Front buckle or T-closure (most secure)
- Surcingle belly straps (helps prevent slipping)
- Tail cord or tail strap (adds stability)
For active or fidgety horses, more secure closures are usually better.
How to Measure and Fit a Horse Cooler
A poorly fitted cooler can rub shoulders, slide backward, or tangle around your horse’s legs. Measure your horse to determine the right fit:
- Stand your horse square.
- Use a soft measuring tape.
- Measure from the center of the chest, across the shoulder, to the edge of the hindquarters.
- The number in inches is your horse’s blanket/cooler size (for example, 78″).
A properly fitted cooler should:
- Lie smoothly across the shoulders without pulling.
- Cover the barrel without hanging too low.
- End near the top of the tail, not past it.
- Allow full freedom of movement.
If the cooler shifts, slides back, or rubs at the shoulders, it’s likely the wrong size or cut.
How to Put on a Horse Cooler
The steps to put a cooler on your horse are similar to those of any sheet or blanket. Here’s a refresher if your horse doesn’t normally wear a blanket:
- Make sure your horse is safely tied or held.
- Lay the cooler slightly forward on the withers, then slide it back into place so the hair lies flat.
- Fasten the chest closure first. It should be snug but not tight; two fingers should fit comfortably.
- Cross and secure the surcingles (belly straps) under the belly. Keep them loose enough for comfort, but not so loose they hang.
- Check leg straps or tail cord (if present) to prevent shifting.
- Do a final fit check. Make sure nothing pinches, rubs, or restricts movement.
A well-chosen, properly fitted cooler is a valuable tool in any horse owner’s tack room to help horses stay comfortable and dry after exercise or bathing.
Related Reading:
Part of this article originally appeared on Equus.
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