How To Choose The Best Horse Blanket

1. Fabric: 

Nylon is very strong and resilient and it doesn't hold stains, but it's very expensive. Polyester is lightweight, more affordable, and but it’s not as strong as nylon. A blend often gives you the best of both worlds. The strength (and thus durability) of a blanket's outer layer is expressed in denier units The higher the denier number, the stronger the material. It takes a 1,200-denier polyester to match the strength of only 840-denier nylon.

2. Linings: 

Polycotton, nylon, and fleece-like wicking material are the most common. Many people prefer a wicking liner because it's more breathable than the others, and breathable blankets are usually healthier and warmer for your horse.

3. Fit:

Measure from the center of the chest at the point of the shoulder, around the shoulder, along the barrel following closely to the skin, continuing around the hip to the center of the tail. The size of the blanket corresponds to the inches you just measured. For example, if your measurement comes out to 78 inches, then your horse wears a size 78. A blanket measured this way allows four fingers at the chest and a few inches below the top of the tail.

4. Placement:

Don’t make the legs straps too tight or else your horse’s hind legs will pull the blanket backwards and rub the chest. If they’re too loose, your horse can get its hind legs caught in them. It is safer criss-cross the straps for most horses.

5. Blanketing Your Horse:

If your horse freaks when you try to pull the blanket over his head, you have two choices. The first is to unhook it entirely and place it gently over his back so he doesn’t freak out. Better: Work with a trainer to desensitize your horse to movements like this. It will make your horse braver, encourage him to trust your leadership, and make it immeasurably easier for the staff at your barn (or your friends) to blanket your horse for you.
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We've always blanketed our horses in the winter. You can find the brands that we like the most by clicking here.

As long as you’re here, check these out!
 
Equestrian Products That Make Your Riding and Horse Care Easier and Better!

Riding Horses During Winter

Horse Care In Winter

Four Reasons to Blanket Your Horse in Winter

Stay Warm in Winter Like Olympic Athletes Do

Happy riding!
[Based on an article by Carrie Finno, DVM, of the University of Minnesota.]

Copyright Denise Cummins, PhD June 18, 2018; Updated June 3, 2024
​The Thinking Equestrian