Question: Why don’t you waterproof the Whinny Warmers®? Our winters are wet and muddy so the socks are wet by the end of the day.

Answer: We understand. We haven’t given up on this possibility, but we know that waterproofing or moisture inhibiting is a chemical treatment of the yarn. We know that horse skin can be more sensitive than our own so unless we can be certain that sensitive horses won’t experience a reaction to the chemicals used to treat the yarns, we aren’t going to do it. The safest solution is have a set on and a set warm, clean, and ready. We change Whinny Warmers® out in the mornings and in the evenings, but our horses are always out in pasture. One thing you can do is find a product like Scotch Guard, as there are a few on the market that water proof fabrics. Try spraying the socks on the outside. This could help when it's wet outside. The treatment will wash out after a few washes, but may be a good alternative until we can find a way to treat these yarns in a manner that we know won't harm even the most sensitive skins.

 

Question: Can I use Whinny Warmers® to protect my horses' legs from flies?

Answer:  No! Whinny Warmers® are too hot for horse legs in the summer. Hot legs aren't a good thing for the horse. Summer Whinnys® are cool and will safely protect horse legs from biting flies.

 

Question: How long do Whinny Warmers® last?

Answer:  That depends on your horse. If your horse doesn't mess with them too much or if you don't have a pony around that likes tearing apparel off your horse, then you can expect a pair of socks to last all winter and probably another winter or two. We launder our socks often and they snap right back to looking nearly new again each time.

 

Question: Do I have to buy a pair each for the front and back legs?

Answer: No. We sell Whinny Warmers® by the pair, front, or back legs, warmblood, or quarter horse sizes. If you want the warmth only on the front legs, then order a pair for the front legs and vice versa.  It is still a good idea to have an extra pair so that one is on and one pair is ready.

 

Question: My horse wears shoes. Are the socks difficult to get over their hooves when shoes are on?

Answer: No. Use the plastic bag we include with your order. Put the bag on the hoof. Pull the sock on over the bag. Remove the bag. Put the hoof back down on the ground and adjust the sock up and down on the leg. If your horse won't allow a plastic bag, put duct tape over the nails on the outside of the hoof, the socks will just glide over the nails. There is no doubt that nails and rough places on the hoof will snag and catch the socks if present. We found that plastic bags or duct tape make putting Whinny Warmers® and Summer Whinnys® on easy in spite of rough hooves and shoe nails.

 

 

Question: What is the difference between Warmblood/Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse sizes?

Answer: Warmblood/Thoroughbred socks stretch more so they can slip over larger hooves. Other than that, they are the same length as the Quarter Horse socks. Many different breeds of horses can wear Whinny Warmers®. Measure the hoof across at the widest point to determine the size you need to order.

Choosing a size depends on your ability to pull the sock over the hoof. We've put a Quarter Horse sock on a Warmblood, but it was way too much exercise for us! Choosing the right size makes putting the socks on much easier.

If your horse is wearing a size 1,2, or 3 shoe, order the Warmblood size. If you don't know its shoe size, measure the width of the hoof at the widest point. Any hoof larger than a 5¼ inch width by a 5½ inch length is going to need the Warmblood size sock.

Thoroughbreds fit in the Warmblood category for the most part, but you may need Quarter Horse size for your Thoroughbred. Measure the foot.

Size 000, 00, 0 shoes are approximately 4½-5 inches X 5½ inches long, depending on the maker, and Quarter Horse socks will fit over this size hoof but this is the limit of this size.

The Quarter Horse size will fit everything from shoe size 0 down to 000. This sock may work out perfectly for your pony, but if hooves are smaller than 4½ inches across, the socks may come off the horse easier than with larger horses.

The worst you would suffer is looking for socks in the pasture more often--that is, unless your pony considers chewing them off its legs as fine entertainment!

Caution!!! If your horse wants to chew the socks off, the socks are not for your horse. Eating yarn probably isn't very good for horses!

 

Question: I was viewing your Web site for the Whinny Warmers®, and on your size chart you only have Warmblood and Quarter Horse size.  I have an Egyptian Arabian and I was wondering what size to order.

Answer: Order the Quarter Horse size. That will work for horses with feet as small as 00--approximately 4½ inches across.

 

Question: How hard are your socks to get on and get off?

Answer: Go to “Putting Whinny Warmers® on your horse” for instructions.  It shows you how to put them on. If your horse doesn’t mind your handling its legs, our socks are easy to put on and easy to take off.

 

Question: Can I layer the socks?

Answer: No, but now we offer Hock/Knee Extensions that give you even more length of sock on the leg and are meant to go over the knees or hocks. Added length means added warmth.

 

Question: Will Whinny Warmers® help a horse suffering joint and arthritis pain?

Answer: We think so. Anyone who has arthritis knows that cold weather makes it feel worse. Our retired horse (26 years old) doesn't spend one cold night without Whinny Warmers® on her legs. We know she feels better because she acts like she feels better. Keeping your horse’s legs warm is another strategy to add to the steps you are already taking to help your horse feel and perform better. We know from our own experience that Whinny Warmers® help. If your horse is suffering from arthritis in the knees or hocks, check out the new HOCK/KNEE extensions.

 

Question: Can the rear leg socks be pulled up over the hocks?

Answer: We don't recommend pulling the socks up over the hocks.   The hock is a complex joint in the rear leg anatomy of a horse and the rear leg socks do not have the "cross stretch" to safely cover the hock without causing constriction. If you need warmth on the hock, order the new Hock/Knee extensions along with your leg socks. Ordering in this manner saves you money, but also, the new Hock/Knee socks are expanded to allow a safe fit over the hock.

 

Question: Can I use Whinny Warmers® under the shipping boots when I trailer my horse?

Answer: No. Don't use Whinny Warmers® under any therapy, protection, shipping, or performance horse boots, bandages, or leg wraps.

 

Question: What are the chances your socks will get hung up on something in the pasture?

Answer:  It could happen. If your pasture is full of briar, branches, bramble, etc. your horse might get hung up, but the socks will give long before anything of flesh and bone on your horse will. We developed Whinny Warmers® to be safe for the horse. Mostly, they will simply slip off the leg. This is why Whinny Warmers® don’t have snaps, clasps, button, zippers or Velcro. We want the sock to give long before a horse could possibly get hurt.

 

Question: I want to ride my horse in a parade while we both are wearing Whinny Warmers®. They are so cute! Is that one situation where a horse can be ridden while wearing Whinny Warmers®? 

Answer:  Please don't ride or exercise your horse while it is wearing Whinny Warmers®! We don't want anyone to get hurt.

 

Question:  I have ponies. Do you have a size that will fit ponies?

Answer:  Yes!

 

Question:  Do you make socks for miniature horses??

Answer: We have had them from time to time. We think they would be great for minis. Right now we are in the process of making the mini socks with the same yarn used in the Summer Whinnys® for the full size horses and ponies. We are going to develop the Whinny Warmers® and Summer Whinnys® for Minis and hope this is all complete by certainly by fall.

 

Question: I had a problem with a mare with white legs sun burning last year. Do you think I could use these sox to cover her white and help prevent sunburn this summer?

Answer: Summer Whinnys® are light, strong, summer socks designed to stop biting flies while allowing the body heat from the horse to pass through. I believe they will do the trick. Whinny Warmers® help warm legs so they would be way too hot in the summer.

 

Question: Are Whinny Warmers good for keeping mud off the horses legs?

Answer: Our experience has been that the socks get muddy and wet, but the horse's leg stays clean. “Wet” is the challenge. In cold weather you would want to be able to change wet socks as often as possible and if you do so, you will be getting the greatest benefit from the socks. Mud will dry on the sock if the sock doesn't get very wet, but we recommend that if your environment is mud and rain, change the socks often! Get an extra set so that one set is on and one set is ready. We have kept them very inexpensive to make this possible.

 

Question: I was wondering if you offer wholesale orders to individual sellers; for example, I would like to sell them along with my jewelry and clothing at barrel races.

Answer:  Sox For Horses, Inc. invites dealer inquiries. Please see our Dealer Information page and call us for whole or email us for wholesale pricing. If you want to find Whinny Warmers® and Summer Whinnys® check out “Find a Dealer”. We are expanding this list constantly and if you don't see your local tack/feed store on the list, drop us a note at info@whinnywarmers.com and let us know who they are and how to find them. We will contact them and see if they are willing to carry the socks. Dealer inquires can also be answered by calling 850-907-5724.

 

Question: I live in Wyoming and we are having a very nasty winter. I am hoping that these will assist my very old and retired rope horses to have a little more comfort in their lives. Would it be feasible, however, to use them as a precursor to exercise--not while we were riding, but put them on an hour or so before exercise to heat up some arthritic joints a little?  Have you had any experience with this type of use?

Answer: This is exactly how to use Whinny Warmers®. We know that adding warmth to older horses’ legs is going to help them feel better and move better. Whinny Warmers® were developed for the performance athletes but they also help our geriatric equine pals.