Warm your horse with a horse blanket

Horse blankets are essential in insuring your animal will remain warm and healthy throughout its life.

Every time a horse is groomed, he loses insulating natural oils and dirt. Another layer of warmth is lost each time his hair is trimmed. Since stables are often unheated, it's important, especially during the winter months that you have adequate blankets for your horse to make up for what has been removed.

Find, Compare, and Buy Horse Blankets

A turnout blanket is needed if your horse will be out in very cold weather. If you have to choose one weight of turnout blanket over another, choose a winter horse blanket that can be used both inside the stable and outdoors.

Horse blankets specifically designed for outdoor use should offer more freedom of movement for your animal, staying on its back, withstanding bucks and kicks. The texture of a turnout blankets is usually tougher to bear up under the wear and tear of an active, outdoor animal.

Equally important in a horse's tack is a the saddle blanket, a single-layered small blanket which lays between the horse and saddle, drawing moisture away from the horse, and providing an extra degree of cushioning.

How do I measure my horse for a turnout blanket?

Using a tape measure, measure from the middle of your horse's chest to the tail, along the side. Depending on the inch count, buy that size - 80 inches, buy an 80 blanket. Before ordering, check with the individual manufacturer to see how their sizes run - just like human apparel, different manufacturers may run small or large.

Check the following to assure a good fit:

1. Are you able to slip your hand easily between his withers and the blanket? Constant pressure in that area can produce discomfort or worse, permanent injury.

2. Can you slide a hand up into his shoulder area? Too tight a fit there will cause hair to rub off and result in possible friction injuries.

3. Can your horse feed pain-free? Watch for pressure from the front buckles as he reaches for an enticing treat you've placed on the stable floor.

4. Does the surcingle (a belt across the horse's back) have to be strongly tightened to keep the blanket in place? A blanket sized to your horse's shape should stay in place without an uncomfortable or tight surcingle.

A "yes" to one or more of the above questions may indicate the blanket is a poor fit for your horse. Moderate alterations may address some issues, but the ultimate solution may be to replace the blanket outright.

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