My Blanketing Experience

Just as the title states I'm going to go over some blanketing tips that I have learned. Weather loves to make dramatic shifts sometimes from 65 degrees one day into the 30s the next! A great idea to do is first assess your horses age, living arrangements, & current weight. Age is a factor. It is proven time & again that senior horses or those that are ill have a harder time maintaining proper core temperature than their younger healthier counter parts. You typically have to blanket a senior horse more often. There is always that exception with every horse because they don't all need or require the same things. Some horses have very fluffy coats, while others may lack it. Living arrangements play a big role in how you blanket. Is your horse indoors in a barn at night or are they outside 24/7? If they are only out during the day you only need to worry about the conditions for daylight, because the barn is always roughly 10-15 degrees warmer. Your not going to blanket as much or at all if they are kept indoors in the evening. If your horse lives the great outdoor lifestyle you need to decide if it's easier to just leave them naked to grow a nice wooly coat. If they need some help to maintain core temperature that more than ample hay & shelter can help blankets can provide that for you. Weight also plays a major role in blanketing. A horse at a great weight will probably be just fine & need no or minimal blanketing, whereas a horse that is thinner will require a little help so that their calories are better spent adding weight rather than being burned off from trying to maintain core temperature.

After you assess those 3 things you can now start planning! If you choose to leave your horse naked with just their fluff to keep them comfortable there is nothing wrong with that &  you don't have to constantly worry about the temperature swings, because they can figure it out by themselves. If you choose naked, make sure they have constant access to hay so they can maintain their core body temperatures. Having access to shelter is a must as well. Many horses do great with no blankets & are sometimes better off for it! If you are like many & must blanket even clip your horse for some reason or another you have to be well prepared. Having a wide range of blankets of many different weights is very important. Depending on your climate where you live a good range is a waterproof sheet, medium weight, & heavy weight. That is the minimum most people have. Having more than those standard is better if your able. For some horses that need minimal blanketing a water proof sheet may be sufficient to block out wind & rain/snow & they may be fine with just that! If your like many you will need more than just that. Below goes over weights & importance !

Sheets-No Fill:  sheet should be waterproof & breathable. Sheets are very good for cool fall or spring days or even mild winter days. They block out excessive wind & keep your horse dry if it's raining/snowing. They provide some warmth but not much at all so take that into consideration when using one.  

Lite/Medium-80-150 gram fill: This is one of my favorite weighted blankets. It has a lot of versatility especially if your horse lives outdoors or simply does not need a lot of blanketing. They can have neck attachments which provide added benefits. It should be waterproof & breathable as well. It's perfect for those days where you need more than a sheet but a full medium would be too much.

Medium-200-300 gram fill: Another of my favorites is the medium weight. It works great for most of the time during the winter unless it's warm or extremely cold. It provides just the right level of comfort for those that require it without being too hot. Again waterproof & breathable are a must.

Heavy-350-450 gram fill: This is for those that need a lot of warmth. It is typically used in very cold conditions or when your horse is clipped naked to the skin. I use this weight when it reaches mid to low 20's due to the fact that Ben is outdoors & still in need of a tiny bit of weight & being a senior. It is a great blanket for those that require it.

There are a lot more types of blankets, but I just listed turnout blankets not stable. If your horse is stabled during the night its a good idea to have stable blankets they provide the warmth without the added weight of a turnout. Turnout blankets should always be waterproof & breathable. Having more than one of each desired weight you think you need is another important factor. Why? You need to clean that blanket sometime or another & if you only have one & need that one your out of luck. If there is a  lot of rain/mud/snow you will want to change to a fresh blanket to ensure they are comfortable either that day or the following. Waterproofing does not last forever & having a good quality blanket will get you a lot further than one that isn't. If your horse is blanket friendly & no pasture mates chew them off then you can get away with a lower denier of blanket. The higher the denier of a blanket the stronger it is. If you have a rough & tumble kind of horse look for the highest denier & quality so your not constantly buying new blankets. You may be spending more to start but you will save a lot more in the long run. Most blanket companies will have different lines that are for different horse types so be sure to check & follow those guidelines.

My favorite blanket brands based off only my experience for Ben in particular are Rambo, Weatherbeeta, Rhino, Turtle neck, Amigo, & Smartpak. The highest quality is easily the Rambo blankets. I have a few heavy weights & sheet in the Rambos. They are pricey but truly last forever for pretty much every horse. Next is weatherbeeta. Weatherbeeta is easier on your wallet but also have many different options for your horse & their ease on blankets. I have many Weatherbeeta blankets of all sorts of weights from sheet to medium & in between & have yet to be disappointed with them at all. Rhino blankets are good, but Ben has actually had small tears in his blankets & he is very gentle on them. Otherwise they are nice overall. Turtle Neck blankets have a very unique neck line that stretches with your horse & they have a nice line of blankets that fit close to your horses body which I like. Amigo is another good brand not too pricey, have good fit, & hold up well through time. Smartpak blankets are give or take with which one you go with. I have 2 blankets from them & love one but could leave the other simply due to how it fit my particular horse. I like them well enough otherwise. These are just my experiences with the above brands & each horse is different so be sure to research & measure your horse to ensure the best fit & wear.

Neck or no neck? I have everything from no necks to wugs (extended neck) to full neck piece & use all of them. On quiet non windy days where it doesn't get too chilly I will choose a no neck blanket. On days where its peaking into the chilly range with some mild wind or even a touch of rain I go with the wug. If its just cold & if there is any wind or rain or snow I easily choose a neck piece. Some people never use neck pieces, but I feel they have a big importance in the comfort of your horse. Necks are very susceptible to arthritis just as any other part of your horse. Keeping that added shield over it provides warmth which helps ease the muscles & keep them from becoming stiff. Ben's massage therapist is always making sure I keep Ben's neck protected on cold, windy, rainy or snowy days to ensure he doesn't become stiff & uncomfortable.

There Is always the exception to all the above I have already written so always keep your horse in mind when reading. Again this is based off my personal opinion & experience in blanketing through the years. I am not an expert nor do I claim to be.