A horse recently imported from a warmer climate may not grow a thick enough coat and may need a blanket. Clipped horses will also need blankets to compensate for the hair being removed. Elderly, sick, injured, or underweight horses are much more likely to need the extra insulation a blanket provides. However, some horses absolutely DO require a blanket to stay warm. Reality: Most horses DO NOT need blankets to stay warm, even in the most frigid of temperatures. Myth #1: Horses need blankets to stay warm in the winter. The amount of mis-information out there about horses is astounding - especially when it comes to blanketing - so today I will debunk 5 of the biggest myths out there about blanketing horses and hopefully provide you with a little more clarity to help you make the best decision for you and your horse this winter. With so many strong opinions on both ends of the spectrum, how are we supposed to know what to do? We’re all just trying to take the best possible care of our horses - so what is a horse owner to do? But if I’m cold my horse must be cold… right? Someone else tells you blankets aren’t natural and horses should never wear them. Your friend at the barn insinuates you’re a bad horse mom or dad because your horse isn’t blanketed. There are posts all over social media arguing one way or the other. To answer this question, you will need to measure your horse this task is much easier when done with the help of a second person.Every year around this time, I start hearing lots of questions about when to blanket horses. How do I figure out which blanket size to order?.Also known as “denier”, this strength is determined by the thread’s thickness the higher the denier number is, the stronger the material strength will be. One thing to consider is the turnout blanket's outer shell. Well, we can’t always guarantee that your horse’s blanket won’t get caught on a board, or that one of its pasture friends won't think of his new blanket as a chew toy. How easily will my horse's blanket rip?.We’ve provided two charts for you to reference to help you determine what would fit your needs best. These are all factors in determining which blanket fill to choose. Besides the climate, also keep in mind if your horse grows a light or heavy coat, is body clipped mid-winter, is turned out with or without shelter, or kept in a barn. Determining a desirable weight depends on your horse’s environment and the condition of your horse’s coat. The higher the weight number, the warmer the blanket will be. The fill can be either Polyfill or Fiberfill and is measured in grams. This determines how warm the blanket should be. The answer to this question is dependent on how much fill is in the blanket.
How do I know if the blanket will help keep my horse warm enough?.
Popular Turnout blanket brands offers are Defender ®, WeatherBeeta®, Saxon®, Big D®, Professional’s Choice® and Weaver®. The designs of a turnout blanket or sheet are more “drape” like and roomier, allowing for better coverage protection against the weather. Combo or Detach-A-Neck blankets provide coverage from just behind the ears to the tail. Standard turnout blankets provide coverage from the withers to the tail. Turnout blankets and sheets are waterproof and can be found in two types available: Standard and Combo. Popular stable blanket brands available at include Big D® All American, Pro Equine® Relentless™ and Weaver® Profit™. Sold separately from the blanket purchase, they help provide complete coverage for horses that are usually body clipped. They feature a center seam and rump darts that give it a contoured design. Stable blankets are NOT waterproof, and are typically used when your horse is kept in the barn. Western Riding Spurs & Western Spur Strapsĭeciding on whether you should purchase a stable blanket or a turnout sheet would truly depend on whether or not you need a waterproof blanket. Pack Saddles, Panniers, Saddle Bags & Scabbards Hobbles, Picket Line Ties, Portable Corrals Eastern, Western & Venezuelan Combinations