Neck sweat-Bumbed it up to get more advice

[Taylor Richelle]

Well we just went to our 2nd show this year, brought home 20 ribbons with 3 minis, I'm still in shock, and totally proud. Anyway even though my moms 2 year old stallion did well in halter at the last show, she went to this one thinking he would do the same. The judge didn't seem to like him as much. She came up to us at one point and said he would do MUCH better if we sweat his neck. I have always been all for sweating, but my mom on the other hand likes them "Natural" Once the judge made that comment, it finally opened her eyes to it. So here I am asking, what should I get? I'm not sure on the sizes or brands. He is 28" and thick for his age. Doesn't help that he is so small. I would like to order one in the next few days so I can start him before the next show which is in about a month, and we are calling the vet to set up and appt to geld him...hehe. I wouldn't mind keeping him a stud if he was nice, but he is far from it! Anyway can't wait to get some ideas. Thanks guys!

 

[targetsmom]

I don't think there is any one "right" answer and a lot depends on how much of his neck there is to sweat. What I use on my mare with a cresty neck (she is insulin resistant) is a throatlatch sweat AND a neck WRAP. The wrap overlaps the throatlatch sweat and needs to be tight but not TOO tight. Takes some practice. You can also use a second wrap overlapping the first to cover more of the neck if needed. I leave mine on almost all the time except when I am driving or jumping (which I do daily) including when she is turned out. If you get them from Mini Express, they have SUPER strong velcro that is so hard for me to pull apart that the other minis don't have a chance. They come in different sizes and you can measure the length of the neck to see what might work the best. I think I have an 8" and a 10" and sometimes use both.

Also, remember that whenever you show you are getting that judge's opinion on that day, so no telling what the next judge(s) might be looking for. Great job at the show!

 

[hobbyhorse23]

I'm normally a fan of natural too just because I don't like seeing horses straight-jacketed in full-length sweats (and mine are on paddock turnout so it wouldn't be safe) but if you're talking about Knight, yes, he could use some sweating.

I asked a few trainers I respect about how to do it this spring when Turbo had what turned out to be a swollen lymph node behind his jaw which made him look unexpectedly thick at our first show and they said essentially what Targetsmom did. A fleece-lined throatlatch sweat under a polar-fleece neck wrap will apparently do the trick nicely and won't burn the neck although it needs to be washed regularly. For working them in sweats I think you'd use the bare neoprene ones and MUST wash both horse and sweat immediately afterwards so they don't get skin problems. Those are not for full-time wear.

Leia

 

[targetsmom]

I have also used the plain neoprene sweats for workouts - the ones that you can't leave on them - and even used the sweating gels. Like Leia said, you need to be very careful to wash both the horse and the sweat when you do that. But I have had just as good luck with less effort just using the lined sweats I mentioned above. And I am also a fan of "natural" but I see that the sweats do help and I don't they are any more uncomfortable than some items of human clothing!

 

[hobbyhorse23]

...I am also a fan of "natural" but I see that the sweats do help and I don't they are any more uncomfortable than some items of human clothing!

True...but I also refuse to wear uncomfortable clothing myself!

Hehe.

My horse will wear a show harness for R shows just as I wear high heels for special occasions, but the rest of the time it's jeans, tshirts and sneakers for me and a padded carriage harness for my boys. I'll probably start regularly sweating them about the same time I decide a thong is comfortable.

Anyway, not saying there's anything wrong with anyone else doing it. Just my personal choice for my thin-necked boys! Hopefully someone with more knowledge of specific sweats will come on and answer Taylor's question about brands and what widths would be best for her particular horse.

Leia

 

[ohmt]

Mini express and stars have wonderful neck sweats!

 

[Taylor Richelle]

Thanks for the replys guys! But like Leia said I would like to know more about what kind or size would be best for him, so here is a picture of him from yesterday...eek!

Then from sometime back in April before he was fully clipped.

Then I had to add this one, before you start to say out chubby he is

or how thick his neck is, he was really cute in liberty yesterday and your going to laugh at the song he went to..."TNT"

Everyone was laughing! Okay..talk away about him, I'm all ears.

 

[Jetiki]

Just a neck sweat won't help if you don't adjust the diet to keep those extra pounds off. From a competitive stand point, he's way overweight this is a diet and exercise issue. Just like us humans if they ingest more calories than they burn they get fat. Yes I know some get fat on literally nothing I have one of those, she gets a dry lot, lots of exercise (30 minutes to an Hour daily) and hay cubes or bagged hay she looked great at the show 2 weeks ago getting a reserve in Halter. You have to gradually adjust their work schedule but they need to sweat. Can be free lunging with a buddy,round pen. It takes a lot of work on your part. Your horse is nice and will show a lot better without the extra pounds. As for the size of sweats probably a medium will fit him.

Karen

 

[ohmt]

I love him- what a cutie! I think when I ordered the neck sweat package from Stars (has plain neoprene neck and throatlatch sweats along with the polar fleece lined neck and throatlatch sweats-great deal!) There was only the choice of A size and B size. The A sized sweats have worked perfectly with my 30" very refined yearling (a little big but does the job) and my 28" somewhat thick necked 4 yr old stallion (fit him perfectly and so I think will work great with your boy)and fit my 34" senior mare as well. The elastic straps are long enough that the size is very adjustable. Stars also has a great tutorial on how they sweat necks which has really helped me with my chubbies

 

[valshingle]

I believe you said that you are going to geld him. If that's the case, gelding will help reduce his neck as well. As the other posters mentioned, he really needs to lose weight to be competitive. I think that gelding, sweating (I'd use a 6" neck sweat along with a throat sweat), diet, and exercise will greatly improve his show 'look'.

 

[JMS Miniatures]

http://www.starsminiatures.com/merchandise.html

I highly recommend Stars neck sweats. I have the complete set both neoprene and fleece. It has worked very well for my horses.

And like the others have said he is overweight, putting him on a diet will help his neck. Gelding him IMO won't help his neck much. My geldings still battle with thicker necks but it may help it from not cresting over.

He is a cute lil guy. I understand your mom, I still like to go natural, but there are worse things you can do then sweating a horse's neck.

 

[Taylor Richelle]

Thanks so much guys, we have talked to a vet about getting him on the right diet plan, and regular exercise. I want to get him to a good weight...thanks to all who replyed and helped me on this. I love to hear what you guys have to say, you're all so helpful and I'm really glad I joined!

 

[Taylor Richelle]

Hey guys, sorry I had to bump this up but I am hoping for a quick reply by tonight or tomorrow, a few of you said they had some on stars...well I know my mom isnt going to spend the $$ for a neck sweat from them so mini express would be better...someone said a 6" would be good for him...well the only 6" they had on there didnt do his whole neck which is what I would think he needs...so if you guys could maybe take a look at his pictures then the options on Mini express and tell me which one you would think would be best for him...and maybe what throat latch would work too. Thanks SO much sorry to be such a pain, just wanted to make sure we got the right one for him! - Oh and he is being gelded tomorrow!!!

 

[Mominis]

The sweating system from Stars is the single best that I have ever used in any breed, beats the heck out even the most expensive big horse sweats. I fully stand by my word on this, it is an investment that will serve you well. The complete system (lined sweats as well as the neoprene work sweats) is not very expensive. Especially when you take in to account that, with the quality, you will be able to use them for years to come and on many different horses through the years. My theory is, why buy cheap sweats every year when I can invest in a good set once.

 

[ohmt]

Try talking it over with your mom again as I must second Mominis and say that Stars is by far the best I've used. It comes with everything you need and WILL fit your boy. It fit my 27" senior stallion who had a very thick neck along a 34" senior mare with a medium neck. Hopefully someone else will give you advice on the size you need if you do go with Mini Express. I always had the same problem you are having-what size do I get?!

 

[Becky]

I generally use an 8" neck wrap with a 3" throatlatch sweat.

 

[StarRidgeAcres]

Me too.

I generally use an 8" neck wrap with a 3" throatlatch sweat.