What makes a good horse blanket

To find the right blanket size for your horse, you should measure their body — their withers, shoulders and length. The blanket should cover their entire body. Some blankets have tail flaps, too. As we have mentioned above, there are different types of blankets. You will need to decide whether you are going to buy a turnout blanket or a stable blanket for your horse.

This will largely depend on whether you are housing your horse outside and whether they are going to need a waterproof blanket. A blanket with proper insulation will keep nay horse who loves to be outside both warm and dry no matter the weather. This shows you how strong the fibres within the blanket are.

The higher the denier, the thicker the blanket will be and the more durable it is likely to be. These blankets are also abrasion, tear and puncture-resistant.

However, low denier blankets can be good too. These are usually called liners and can be used with blankets. They are comfortable for horses but are not always as durable. If you own a horse, you know it can be messy. Look for a blanket that can be cleaned easily when needed. Now you know all about the different types of blankets and what to look for when buying one, take a look at the best horse blankets we recommend below for your pet.

These are all available to you on Amazon. This blanket from Derby Originals is a sturdy and durable blanket and is made from high quality materials designed to keep your horse warm.

Perfect for use both indoors and outdoors, it features a soft but strong T inner lining, g of polyfil insulation that provides extra warmth without overheating, and a sturdy D nylon exterior that is ripstop, breathable and waterproof, making this the perfect blanket for all weathers. It has additional features such as quick-clip double chest buckles, adjust-to-fit neck straps, a safety reflective bodied design and contoured fit, as well as shoulder gussets for freedom of movement and a plush fleece protector sewn on over the wither to prevent the blanket from rubbing.

Older horses tend to lose body fat and may need a heavier blanket. And not all temperatures are created equal: A damp, windy, cloudy day will feel much colder than a dry, calm, sunny day of the same temperature. Layering is an option as well. Always keep in mind that horses tolerate being cold much better than being warm: Sweat will more than undo any benefit of a blanket. Durability is an important factor to consider, as it considerably affects both the price and the longevity of the blanket. While weight does affect durability—all else remaining equal, a denier polyester is going to be less durable than a denier polyester—the type of fabric is as significant as the weight.

A cotton sheet with a much higher denier than a nylon sheet will be more prone to tearing simply because of the inherent strength of the type of yarn.

Polyester and nylon are the most common fabrics used for horse blankets and turnouts. Of the pair, nylon is stronger and has more give. Polyester, on the other hand, is the faster-drying of the two fabrics.

For the really rowdy herd member, consider ballistic nylon or Cordura, both very tough synthetic fabrics originally designed for military uses. A blanket with ripstop fabric, which is woven in such a way that a puncture cannot develop into a serious tear, probably will be sufficient for a horse who is gentler on his clothing.

Follow this article to discover everything you need to know about horse blankets. Now that fall is in full swing, the colder months lie not too far behind. All horse owners should be getting ready to bring out their old blankets and shop for new ones if you have more horses in the stable. Depending on where you are and the temperature outside, you should look to blanket your horse in the late fall, early winter. A better benchmark to go by is if its 40 degrees or lower outside during the whole day, you should blanket your horse.

This can also vary by horse as some species are known to have thicker skin than others. If your horse is anything like me, I would start wearing the blanket when the temperature is around 50 degrees. Keep in mind cold weather and seasonal changes are not the only time you should blanket your horse. Body Condition: It takes a lot of energy for horses to keep themselves warm in colder climates.

Similar to older horses, hard keepers may also need heavier blankets than easy keepers. Hair Coat: An unclipped horse may not need any blankets since they can grow the necessary hair coat to stay warm, but a partially or fully clipped horse will need a blanket when the temperature drops.

Blanketing an unclipped horse can also be beneficial if you are looking to keep their hair coat to a minimum. Traveling: Depending on where you are traveling, it may be appropriate to blanket during travel. Similar to the geography factor, if the horse is not accustomed to a colder climate, they might be susceptible to cold in the trailer.

Furthermore, if the horse is fully clipped or has a light coat, they may need a sheet or a blanket to keep warm during the colder months of travel. Keep in mind how much ventilation your trailer has when deciding on a blanket.

Trailers that let in more air, such as stock trailers, may require blanketing due to cold winds. Whereas trailers with less ventilation or with multiple horses traveling together can get a bit warmer, and you may want to use a lighter blanket on your horse.

A good rule of thumb is to pack with a couple of different weight blankets so you can change them depending on the weather. Blanket Weights If you have decided to blanket your horse, you'll need to determine what weight of blankets to keep on hand. Lightweight: No fill to g of insulation. A good choice for keeping your horse dry in the rain and keeping them cozy in warmer climates. Medium Weight: g to g of insulation. Provides protection and warmth for colder climates.

Heavy Weight: g to g of insulation. Ideal for very cold conditions with temperatures below freezing. Parts and Features of Blankets. What is Denier in Horse Blankets? How to Measure a Horse for a Blanket. Place the fabric tape measurer at the center of your horse's chest.

Unroll the tape measurer around the widest part of your horse's shoulder and angle it up to the farthest point of the horse's buttock. Measure around to where the tail meets the buttock, approximately the middle of the tail.

This should be your horse's blanket size. If they are between sizes, it is usually a safe bet to round up. How Should a Horse Blanket Fit? How to Clean and Store Horse Blankets. Cleaning Horse Blankets To clean your blanket, first brush off any excess dirt or debris that has accumulated on the exterior.

Storing Horse Blankets Once the blanket is clean and completely dry, neatly fold it into a breathable blanket storage bag. All Rights Reserved. Actual sales may not have occurred at this price. We use cookies to make our website and your shopping experience effective, secure and user-friendly.