A comprehensive guide to blanketing decisions -- from our blanket experts, with 75+ years of experience keeping horses comfortable through every season.
If you have wondered, does my horse need a blanket, you’ve come to the right place to learn when it is appropriate to blanket your horse. Blanketing horses may be necessary depending on temperature, weather conditions, and their overall health. Horses with thinner coats, older horses, or those recovering from illness may need extra warmth during cold or wet weather to maintain their body temperature. Blanketing helps prevent a drop in body heat, which is vital for their comfort and health, especially when temperatures are below freezing or during rainy conditions. Keeping a horse warm and dry is essential to avoid stress on their immune system, which could lead to illness or weight loss.
Factors to Consider Before Blanketing Your Horse
Temperature and Weather Conditions
Cold temperatures, wind chill, rain, and snow can significantly affect your horse's ability to maintain body heat. Wind chill strips away warmth from their coat, while rain and snow can soak through, flattening their insulating hair and making it harder to stay warm. In these conditions, a blanket may be necessary, especially if temperatures drop below freezing or your horse is older, clipped, or has a thin coat. Blanketing provides an extra layer of insulation to protect against the elements and help your horse conserve body heat.
Your Horse’s Coat Condition
Your horse's coat condition plays a key role in deciding if they need a blanket or sheet. A horse’s natural winter coat thickens to provide insulation, trapping warm air close to the skin and protecting them from cold temperatures. However, a clipped horse, or one with a naturally thin coat, lacks this natural protection and may need more frequent blanketing to stay warm, especially in colder weather. Horses with thin coats, seniors, or those prone to losing body heat will also benefit from additional warmth through blankets or sheets during chilly or wet conditions.
Age and Health
Older horses, underweight horses, or those recovering from illness often have a harder time maintaining their body heat, making them more vulnerable to cold temperatures and harsh weather. These horses may benefit from wearing a blanket to provide extra warmth and protection from the elements, especially in colder climates or wet conditions. A well-fitting blanket helps conserve their energy by keeping them warm, which is crucial for their recovery and overall well-being.
Shelter and Turnout Conditions
Access to a barn, windbreaks, or other shelters can reduce the need for blanketing a horse, as these structures provide natural protection from wind, rain, and snow. Horses with reliable shelter can use it to regulate their body temperature more effectively, often needing less blanketing compared to horses left fully exposed to the elements.
Understanding Blanket Types
Waterproof Turnout Blankets
Waterproof turnout horse blankets are designed to keep horses warm and dry while they are outdoors in wet or cold conditions. These blankets provide insulation and protect against rain, snow, and wind, ensuring that the horse's coat remains dry, which helps to maintain body heat and prevent discomfort or illness caused by exposure to moisture and low temperatures. They are ideal for horses that spend time in pastures or open areas during inclement weather, along with horses that have short or clipped coats.
Waterproof Turnout Sheets
Waterproof turnout horse sheets can protect against wind, rain, and snow, without added insulation. Some horse owners will use turnout sheets as a top layer over stable blankets, or non-waterproof blankets or liners, or overtop of a waterproof turnout blanket if they want to keep the heavier blanket clean and dry at all times. Turnout sheets are also great for those cooler days or rainy spring and fall days.
Stable Blankets
Horse stable blankets are designed to add warmth for a horse that is kept in a barn, out of the elements. These are not waterproof and are often closer fitting to keep horses warm, their coats clean and polished, especially for those that are body clipped.
Stable Sheets
Horse stable sheets are lightweight sheets that add a light amount of warmth or protection from catching a chill during cooler weather. They are also great at keeping a horse’s coat clean and polished, and can be useful for horses that don’t need additional insulation from a heavier blanket. Stable sheets are not waterproof and should only be used indoors.
Horse Blanket Temperature Guide
Following a temperature guide when deciding which blanket to use on your horse helps ensure their comfort and well-being in varying weather conditions. The chart suggests appropriate blanket types, such as heavy blankets for frigid temperatures and lighter sheets for milder conditions. By consulting this handy chart, you can make informed decisions about when to blanket your horse and which blanket is right for the job!
| Stable | Turnout | Short Coat or Clipped | Medium or Full Coat |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Sheet No insulation |
Sheet No insulation |
50°F - 65°F | As needed |
|
Tekno-Fleece® Moisture-wicking technology |
Tekno-Fleece® Moisture-wicking technology |
40°F - 60°F | 30°F - 50°F |
|
Light-Weight 180 grams |
Light-Weight 80-180 grams |
40°F - 60°F | 30°F - 50°F |
|
Medium-Weight 280 grams |
Medium-Weight 220 grams |
35°F - 50°F | 30°F - 45°F |
|
Heavy-Weight 440 grams |
Heavy-Weight 380 grams |
20°F - 40°F | 15°F - 30°F |
|
Extra Heavy-Weight 500 grams |
— | Subzero - 20°F | Subzero - 15°F |
Signs Your Horse Needs a Blanket
What to look for
- Shivering: Shivering is a clear indication that your horse may be too cold and struggling to maintain body heat. If you notice your horse shivering, it’s a sign that they could benefit from a blanket to help keep them warm and comfortable in cold conditions.
- Cold ears or body: To assess whether your horse is cold, gently feel their ears near the base or back of their ears, and the areas beneath their blanket, such as their neck and shoulder. Cold ears or a chilly body under the blanket indicate that the horse may need additional warmth or a heavier blanket to ensure their comfort.
- Weight loss or poor appetite: Monitoring for unexpected weight loss is crucial, as it can signal that your horse is burning more calories to stay warm in colder conditions. If your horse is losing weight, it may indicate that they need additional feed or a warmer blanket to help them maintain their body condition and energy levels during the winter months.
- Tucked-up posture: A hunched or tucked-up posture in a horse often indicates that they are feeling cold or uncomfortable, as they instinctively curl their bodies to conserve heat. This posture can signal that the horse is seeking warmth and may benefit from additional blankets or shelter to improve their comfort.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which horses are most likely to need blankets?
Horses with thin coats, older horses, clipped horses, and those recovering from illness are most likely to need blankets. These horses have difficulty maintaining body heat and are more vulnerable to cold temperatures and harsh weather conditions.
How do weather conditions affect my horse's need for a blanket?
Cold temperatures below freezing, wind chill, rain, and snow significantly impact your horse's ability to maintain body heat. Wind strips away warmth while rain and snow flatten the insulating hair, making blanketing necessary to provide extra protection.
Can shelter reduce my horse's need for blankets?
Yes, access to barns, windbreaks, or other shelters can reduce blanketing needs by providing natural protection from wind, rain, and snow. Horses with reliable shelter can regulate their body temperature more effectively than those fully exposed to elements.
What are waterproof turnout blankets used for?
Waterproof turnout blankets keep horses warm and dry during outdoor exposure to wet or cold conditions. They provide insulation and protect against rain, snow, and wind, making them ideal for horses in pastures with short or clipped coats.
Blankets We Put Our Own Name On
Whichever level of protection your horse needs, we build it ourselves -- StormShield® and ARMORFlex® turnouts, Dura-Tech® stable pieces -- so you know exactly what you're getting.
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