Horse Blankets

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We have a horse that needs to have a winter blanket for many reasons. Witch blanket is the best to keep him warm? And what should I be looking for.

Horse Crazy

-- Bri (Bodaciousshowhorse@myexcel.com), October 08, 2001

Answers

Is the blanket going to be for him when he is turned out? I am not a fan of blankets because once you start using them you have to be very consistent or it does more harm than good. Most horses can regulate their body tempetures very well with free choice grass hay available 24/7, and shelter to get out of the wind. A good horse forum to get lots of answers and opinions is www.nhdid/forum.com

-- tracy (murfette@stargate.net), October 08, 2001.

The correct url is nhdid.com then click on to forum

-- tracy (murfette@stargate.net), October 08, 2001.

I could never keep a blanket on my 'kids' since they roam acreage with trees, mesquite, cactus, etc.

I have a friend who couldn't figure out why her horses didn't grow a winter coat. As soon as she mentioned it to me, I solved the mystery. She has a huge security light ~ like the street lights in the city ~ and she kept the horses in a spring mode. Thus, no coat was grown. The light was turned off and the next winter the horses had their natural protection.

I don't know if you've ever blanketed a horse or not, but it really locks your time down. The blankets have to go on as soon as it chills down and come off as soon as the day warms up. The horse won't feel very well sweating under that blanket.

To get to your question, the blanket will stay in place better if it has a wide belly band and hind leg straps. A blanket with buckles on the chest is easier to put on a horse than one that goes over the head and has no buckles.

You will have choices for outer shells ~ nylon, canvas, etc., waterproof or not. Choices for the inner part of the blanket will be a variety of fibers and weights. Lighter weights for milder winters and heavier weights for the North Pole!

The blanket should be contoured to fit your horse. Proper measuring will help.

You can also make your own:

Horse Blankets

-- ~Rogo (rogo2020@yahoo.com), October 09, 2001.

Remember that grain does not warm a horse, hay does. Keeping a grass hay ~ like Coastal or Bermuda ~ always out there will help to keep the horse warm.

-- ~Rogo (rogo2020@yahoo.com), October 09, 2001.

We have an old gray arab that shivers sometimes when it's cold and damp no matter how much hay he eats.We have Big D,Baker,BMB,all different brands.(Whatever is on sale).For outside ,the Cordura of at least 600 denier will last longer than 400 denier.The higher the denier count,the thicker the blanket. Pony clubbers swear by Baker Blankets for durability. Sometimes the blankets with foam insulation can cause skin problems if you leave it on alot in wet weather.Poly insulation (like in quilts )is supposed to have more air flow so better for skin.We have both and no problems either way.Good luck.

-- cheri (cmv@netnitco.net), October 09, 2001.


We used winter horse blankets one year and it was a real chore. Our weather is so variable in Carolina,we were always puting blankets on or off.Now we just let them grow a nice winter coat. Alot less work and probably healther for the horse. A free choice shelter is important for the horse.

-- jay vance (jay.l.vance@worldnet.att.net), October 09, 2001.

Rambo makes the best blankets, IMHO, but they are pricey. We only blanket my daughter's show horse, he's body clipped and wears a Big D stable blanket all the time. When we turn him out he wears a waterproof, breathable turnout sheet on top of the stable blanket, that way we only have to take off the outside layer when he comes in for the night. It's a pain but if you ride, show, or field hunt in the fall/winter you just can't get them completely cooled/dried off with a full winter coat. He also wears a lycra hood all the time, I think we're using Champion brand right now as they wear better than the other brands we've tried. He looks like an idiot out in the field because my daughter is into a pink phase and his hood is hot pink, purple, and yellow. I've seen cars stop on the road to stare at him. Every year the Morab spooks at him the first couple of times he wears his "snow clothes."

Stacy in NY

-- Stacy Rohan (KincoraFarm@aol.com), October 09, 2001.


I have been thinking of getting a waterproof blanket for my old gelding, Mick. I just pictured him in the colorful snow clothes!!!!!! What a crack up!! He is over 16 hands high and kinda laid back and slow, but very pretty and actually alot younger looking that he is. I always think of him with an Eeyore voice though. Just got a real giggle out of that mental picture, of the bright colors. Mick grows a great winter coat, but because of his age..and his tendancy to stand out in the rain, I am going to blanket him this winter. Thanks for the tips.

-- Jenny (auntjenny6@aol.com), October 09, 2001.

Have blankets for our horses but only put them on once. They just seemed to pull them off and chew them up and found them on the ground the next morning. We live up North Pa and it can get mighty cold at times. Our barn is pretty much open with no front or back doors on it either, but they do just fine with their winter coats. A vet once told us that an open barn was the best because it let the air ciruculate as long as the animals were well fed and cared for. My sister, a true city slicker and proud of it, thought I actually had gas heat in my barn...what a joke...don't even have that in the house !! Good Luck !!

-- Helena (windyacs@npacc.net), October 12, 2001.

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