A Guide to Blanketing

To blanket or not to blanket, that is the question facing many horse owners as winter approaches. The decision to clothe your equine companion depends on various factors unique to each horse. Let’s delve into some essential considerations to help you make an informed choice for your four-legged friend.

Easy Keeper or Hard Keeper?

The first factor to assess is whether your horse is an easy keeper or a hard keeper. This refers to the ease with which a horse gains and maintains a healthy weight. Easy keepers, often including ponies, draft breeds, mustangs, and Arabians, are generally low-maintenance in terms of feed. They can thrive on forage alone and often require minimal additional grain. In milder climates, an easy keeper may not need a blanket at all or may only require a lightweight sheet for protection against the elements.

Conversely, hard keepers, including racing breeds like Thoroughbreds and Standardbreds, have more active metabolisms, making weight maintenance challenging. Winter can exacerbate this issue, leading to weight loss as the horse expends energy to stay warm. If your horse falls into the hard keeper category and tends to lose weight during the colder months, providing a blanket becomes crucial. Blankets help conserve body heat by reducing energy expenditure, helping your horse maintain a healthy weight throughout winter.

Clipped or Unclipped?

Another critical factor to consider is whether your horse has been clipped, and to what extent. For horses with lighter workloads owners may opt for a strip, trace, blanket, or Irish clip where not all of the coat is removed. In this case, the horse hasn’t lost all of its natural protection but might still benefit from a sheet or blanket based on other conditions. However, fully clipped horses, lacking the natural insulation of a full coat, are highly susceptible to cold temperatures and benefit significantly from wearing blankets.

If your horse remains unclipped, it will retain its full winter coat, providing a natural layer of insulation. Unclipped horses are generally more resilient to colder temperatures and a healthy, well-maintained coat is usually enough even to protect them from wind and snow.. However, you should consider individual variations in coat thickness and the severity of the climate when deciding whether to blanket an unclipped horse.

Living Arrangements: Inside, Outside, or Both?

The living situation of your horse plays a crucial role in determining the necessity of a blanket. Horses that primarily reside indoors in well-insulated barns may experience less exposure to harsh weather conditions. In such cases, a blanket may not be as essential, especially if the barn provides adequate protection against wind and precipitation.

On the contrary, horses that spend a considerable amount of time outdoors, whether in pastures or open stalls, are more exposed to the elements. In these situations, a well-fitted blanket becomes a valuable tool for safeguarding your horse from rain, snow, and biting winds. For horses with access to both indoor and outdoor spaces, a versatile blanket that suits varying weather conditions may be the ideal choice.

Consider Your Climate

The climate your horse lives in is a pivotal factor in determining their blanket needs. Regions with milder winters may only require a lightweight sheet or no blanket at all for easy keepers. In some cases, you might consider using a waterproof sheet just for protection from rain. However, in colder climates with harsher winter conditions, hard keepers, and clipped horses especially, benefit from a heavier blanket to provide additional warmth. 

Typically, horses, especially hard keepers or those who are clipped, will wear sheets when temperatures are around 50°F (10°C). At 40°F (5°C), a medium-weight blanket will likely be used, depending on the horse. Heavy-weight blankets are used for temperatures below freezing and might be layered with additional sheets or blanket liners.

Understanding the typical weather patterns in your area, including temperature fluctuations, wind chill, and precipitation, will help you tailor your horse’s wardrobe accordingly. Consulting with local equestrian experts or veterinarians can offer valuable insights into the specific needs dictated by your climate.

Choosing the Right Blanket or Sheet

Once you’ve assessed your horse’s easy or hard keeper status, clipping, living arrangements, and climate, it’s time to choose the appropriate blanket or sheet. Blankets come in various weights, ranging from lightweight sheets for mild conditions to heavy-duty blankets designed for extreme cold. Selecting the right weight ensures that your horse remains comfortable without overheating or getting too cold.

For easy keepers in mild climates, a no-fill sheet may suffice. In colder climates, or for hard keepers, consider blankets with added insulation to keep your horse warm in frigid temperatures.

For horses who primarily live in a barn, cotton sheets and stable blankets are usually enough to keep them protected as long as they don’t wear a blanket outside for extended periods of time or in wet conditions. However, horses who live outside must have turnout sheets and blankets. These are waterproof to keep water and mud off your horse. This is very important as a wet blanket will saturate their coat with water and make them unable to maintain their body temperature, making wet blankets more harmful than no blanket at all.

The decision to blanket your horse involves a careful assessment of individual factors. By considering the above elements, you can make an informed choice that prioritizes your horse’s comfort and well-being throughout the winter months. If you still aren’t sure if your horse needs a blanket, checkout the Blanket Wizard from Dover Saddlery. Remember, each horse is unique, so tailor your approach to their specific needs for a happy and healthy equine companion.