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Havana, Florida—With fly season arriving early, it’s time to introduce your horse to protective leg socks that deter biting insects and minimize the negative effects of infection and strain to tendon and hoof integrity from stomping. What’s the best way to get socks on for the first time? What’s the right size sock for your horse?
These are some of the frequently asked questions Ray Petterson, president of Sox For Horses, Inc. has addressed over the years. It’s easy, he says, and the seasonal advantages to a horse wearing Summer Whinnys® far outweigh any trepidation over equine hosiery.
“Ask yourself, how long does your fly spray work? How much do you pay for that spray? We haven’t found a fly spray, unless it’s extremely toxic, that works longer than an hour at best,” Petterson says. “Summer Whinnys work way better than that with far more benefits.”
Q: What is the best way to get socks on for the first time? They seem like they would be very tight on the leg.
A: They are not that tight. They are just right. There is no over-compression of our socks. We enclose a plastic bag with each set. Put the bag on the hoof. Pull the socks on over the bag. Take the bag off the hoof. Set the hoof on the ground. Adjust the sock. That’s all. Let the socks stay on a day or so, then wash and dry them (on ‘hot’) to set the yarn and elastic, and they will stay put better. We recommend washing and drying the socks every five to six days. This restores the elastic and makes adjusting them in the mornings and evenings a breeze.
Q: Can Summer Whinnys get wet?
A: Summer Whinnys love to be wet! They can be soaking wet and covered in mud without any harm to your horse's legs. You may have to adjust them, but don't take them off. Just pull them up and let them dry on the leg! You can wash your horse with socks on. Moisture activates copper and silver antimicrobial properties of the yarn. Copper and silver ions inhibit the growth of bacteria, fungi and mold in the socks so they will never be the cause of fungal infection on your horse's legs. Our sock yarn is imbedded with antimicrobial protection that will never wash out. Do not waterproof Summer Whinnys! They don't need it!
Q: How do they protect the hooves?
A: Summer Whinnys keep flies from biting the lower leg. Horses stop obsessive stomping so horseshoes stay in place and hooves no longer crack and fall apart.
Q: Can I leave them on at night?
A: We left them on our horses every day and night all summer. We adjust them in the morning and at night and the socks seldom slip below mid-cannon. We designed Summer Whinnys to give in the joint areas during movement so that strain of movement does not pull on the socks. They stay up great for a lot of horses and we hear people every day tell us how well they work. Keep them washed once a week and you will get the best results.
Q: How do Summer Whinnys protect horse legs from flies?
A: It’s the knit that does it! Flies can’t bite through it. The knit is thick enough to deter big flies and tight enough to frustrate gnats. Without the flies, sores and wounds can heal and Summer Whinnys provide that needed clean environment around the leg for that to happen.
Q: I don’t want my horse’s legs to be hot in the summer - how do socks keep legs cool?
A: Our high-tech polyester yarn is used in the best socks for athletes. It wicks moisture away from skin and as it does, the sock feels cooler on the leg. Summer Whinnys® are also white to reflect sunlight. You can put the sock on your arm and feel how cool they are.
Q: Are these socks going to tear easily?
A: No. This is a very tough yarn! You may find holes in the “foot” of the sock if the horse steps on it at any point, but you will not see the sock come apart. Our horses’ socks are on their second summer and still perform. Our socks have lasted a full summer and now starting on their second in great condition. We expect our socks to last our customers at least two summers. The detailed finishing stitches on our socks keep them from coming apart even if the hoof cover of the sock gets walked on.
Q: What kind of guarantee do you offer?
A: We will refund the full purchase price of the socks minus shipping and handling for any reason and in any condition within 30 days of your receiving them. Our return ratio is about 1-2% and any returned socks are washed, repaired and donated to horse rescue groups.
About Summer Whinnys: Summer Whinnys allow freer motion of the fetlock/pastern and stay in place from morning until night with a comfortable, and safe level of light compression on the leg. Functionality and performance make Summer Whinnys the solution for protecting legs from biting flies for multiple summers. Add a couple sets of Summer Whinnys to your tack room. Keep them near your saddle rack so that when your horse comes in from work, you can put them on and reward your horse with a rested and comfortable remainder of its day. Summer fly protection for your horse is not complete without Summer Whinnys. Learn more at www.whinnywarmers.com or call, Sox For Horses, Inc. at 850-907-5724 where its helpful staff always welcomes frequently asked questions!