About Horsewears
Established in 1994, We’ve been providing equestrians and their horses with clean and repaired blankets for over two decades. We wash over 2000 blankets a year, and believe it is important to handle different fabrics and fibers correctly to maintain their unique properties and extend their longevity.
Horsewears founder, Ann Demarest, and her husband, Les.
About Our Founder
A scientist by education and training, Ann Demarest has had horses most of her life. The science of technically generated fabrics (polar fleece), durable water resistant (DWR) and waterproof breathable fabrics (WPB) caught her interest when she was custom fitting and sewing horse blankets.
Ann understands the how and why of blanket construction, fit and fabric care. Horse blanket repair used to consist of salvaging hardware and or strapping from an old blanket and taking it to a saddle maker or shoe repair shop to be sewn back on. The results were not always satisfactory. One home sewing machine led to 5 commercial sewing machines. Ann laughingly calls her career of molecular medicine/genetics and blanket washing & repair a right brain- left brain condition.
With a passion for horses, their wellbeing, and their owners peace of mind.
Our team which includes, Les, who designs and builds innovative projects, and long term support staff, Connie and JoAnn, who provide valuable help as needed allows us to have flexible hours that work with your schedule. We have a robust Quality Assurance policy and a series of Quality Control checks to keep us organized and accurate. We want to exceed your expectations, if you are disappointed or feel we failed to provide a satisfactory wash or repair please let us know immediately so we can work with you to find a solution.
FAQs
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We are happy to do whatever you require. The effectiveness of the water repellent treatment will depend on how the blanket has been washed and what previous products have been used on it. Blankets must be clean for repairs, no hair, dirt, dander etc. Repairs only have a base charge of $25.
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Not all waterproofing products are compatible with all fabrics, waterproof membrane technologies, or construction techniques. It is CRITICAL that you read the label and follow directions. That “test a small area first” is really important. You may permanently damage your blanket or other item and it will never be waterproof again. Reading the label is always important but remember it’s what they don’t say that’s just as important as what they do cover. For horse blankets please visit the manufacture’s websites for fabric and construction information.
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We’ve seen a lot of dryer damage: shrinkage, waterproof membrane damage, actual melting of fabrics. The vast majority of blanket manufacturers say to line dry their blankets. If the blanket has a warranty it may be voided if a mechanical dryer is used. Our plan is to help you maintain your investment- not short circuit it.
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We machine wash using cold water or warm water not above 30 degrees C and an appropriate cleaner. It is up to the customer to determine if they are comfortable sending it in for cleaning.
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Many entry level blankets are not constructed well enough to last more than a season or two. I believe it is truly a case of you get what you pay for. Remember, it’s not what you paid for it but what it does for your horse.
We have our basic prices published as a guideline for you, as well as we can provide a verbal or written estimate. You may also put a dollar limit on the service request form indicating what your repair limit is. Lastly, you can send some pictures to us asking for an estimate.