To blanket or not to blanket?

This has been a controversy since the beginning of time.  Okay, that might sound a bit dramatic, but nonetheless if you ask three different horse owners you are likely to get four different answers. 

To help you decide what is best for your horse's needs we searched high and low and found this great article with lots of Q & A's.

To Blanket or Not to Blanket

There are many determining factors to consider when deciding which blanket is right for your horse.  Health, temperature fluctuations, are they clipped, wind chill, precipitations, and the list goes on and on.  

When considering a blanket for your horse you also need to consider what type of blanket will be best suited for the conditions.  Many owners have at least 3 or 4 of the ones listed below to have flexibility with changing climate and conditions.

A stable sheet: most manufacturers offer a cotton, nylon or poly-blend option that is breathable but is not for turnout. A good option that keeps manure from sticking while in a stall.  Also great for those horse show days to keep your horse as clean as possible between competition.

A stable blanket: many owners prefer to have both a medium and a heavy weight blanket to be changed with varying temperatures. These blankets are breathable but are not for turnout.

Anti-sweat sheet: it will absorb the sweat after a workout so he's dry before you turn him out or put him up for the night. This keeps your horse from getting chilled and a cotton blend and/or wool cooler in the barn for warming up and cooling off on cold days.

Quarter sheet: can also be helpful for keeping hindquarters warm while working in the cold.

What your horse should have at home, for turnout:

• A turnout sheet: this does not have any fill in it, is waterproof and heavy duty for days that you want to keep your horse dry. The outer layer will vary in durability (denier) and the higher the denier, the more durable the material. If you have a horse that plays hard, you will want to opt for a higher denier blanket.
• A mid weight turnout blanket: this blanket has around 200 grams of fill in it. Used for milder temps or for clipped horses.
• A heavy weight turnout blanket: the offers 300 grams of fill or higher. This option is for very cold days.

Don't forget to include a variety of sheets and blankets in your trailer when you are traveling.  The climate can change without notice and it is best to keep your horse as comfortable as possible.

 Be sure to check out our selection of blankets at:  Blankets/Sheets