Horse Blankets: The Different Types and Weight Options
Taking care of horses is no easy feat. They require attention, love, and proper care to keep them happy and healthy.
Whether you live in an area with extreme weather conditions or you simply need to keep your horse clean and protected, horse blankets can be a great investment. But with so many types and weight options, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one for your horse.
In this article, we’ll break down the different types of horse blankets and weight options to help you make an informed decision.
Types of Horse Blankets
Stable Blankets
Stable blankets are designed for indoor use, typically in a stall or barn. These blankets are made to keep your horse warm and dry while providing urine and manure protection.
Stable blankets are constructed with lower-level water resistance, which is not a problem since they are not intended for outdoor use. When choosing a stable blanket, you should consider the insulation level.
The purpose of stable blankets is to keep your horse cozy and comfortable, not too hot or too cold. If your horse spends a lot of time in a heated barn or indoor arena, then a stable sheet with no insulation may be sufficient.
However, if your barn is not heated, or you live in an area with extreme cold, you may need a more insulated stable blanket.
Turnout Blankets
Turnout blankets are the go-to for outdoor use. These blankets are designed to keep your horse dry and to protect them from the elements, including wind, rain, and snow.
It is essential to choose a waterproof turnout blanket to keep your horse warm and dry. Bear in mind that not all turnout blankets with a water-resistant feature work the same way.
Therefore, you should keep an eye out for brands with high water resistance levels that are reliable and trustworthy. When choosing a turnout blanket, you should consider the durability.
Turnout blankets need to withstand natural outdoor elements, rough-housing, and repeated use. Make sure the turnout blanket is made of strong and durable materials, including ripstop nylon, ballistic nylon, and Cordura.
Weight/Insulation Options for Horse Blankets
Sheet
A sheet is a horse blanket with zero grams of insulation meant for waterproofing, dust, and dirt protection. It is lighter weight than insulation blankets, making it perfect for summer and spring months when temperatures are just mildly cold.
Stable sheets are thin and often used on their own or as an additional layer beneath another blanket. One notable thing is – sheets are not ideal for keeping your horse warm during very cold temperatures.
Lightweight
Lightweight blankets provide horses with mild insulation, usually ranging from 100-200g. These horse blankets are ideal during shoulder seasons when temperatures are chilly, but not too cold.
Theyre primarily used in place of sheets or stable blankets when theres a nip in the air outside.
Midweight
Midweight horse blankets are the most popular weight option and usually have around 200-300g of insulation. Theyre a great option for winter months when temperatures are chilly and harsh.
However, they aren’t the best option when temperatures drop too low.
Heavyweight
When the weather outside is exceptionally cold and harsh, heavyweight horse blankets provide the most warmth. They usually have more than 300g of insulation, keeping your horse cozy and comfortable.
It is recommended to use heavyweight blankets for horses living in areas where temperatures can get extremely cold.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right horse blanket is crucial for your horses health, comfort, and overall well-being. Consider factors like water resistance, insulation, and durability when selecting a horse blanket.
Remember, every horse is different, and blankets that work for one horse may not work for another. If you’re ever in doubt, speak with a horse blanket expert or veterinarian to find the perfect horse blanket for your furry friend.
Liners and Coolers for Horse Blankets
When it comes to keeping your horse comfortable, blankets can play an essential role. But let’s face it, what works on one horse may not necessarily work for another.
On colder days, you may require a heavier horse blanket, but what can you do when the temperature rises, and you still need to protect your horse from the sun or pests? That’s where liners and coolers come in, they’re an excellent option to provide additional warmth or protect your horse from the sun’s glare or pesky insects.
Liners
A liner is an additional layer of insulation that attaches to your sheet or blanket. They come in various styles, but typically they attach by clips or Velcro to the outer layer of the horse blanket.
Liners provide additional insulation while keeping the essential function of your horse blanket intact.
Liners can be useful in several cases. For instance, suppose you live in an area with fluctuating temperatures.
In that case, you might require different layers of insulation depending on how warm or cold it is outside.
Liners can be swapped out as necessary, eliminating the need for multiple horse blankets.
Additionally, liners can also contribute to extending the life of the outer layer of your horse blanket. Coolers/Scrim
Sheets
Coolers or Scrim
Sheets have materials that wick moisture from your horse’s body, helping them cool down and dry off after a workout.
These sheets are made with a similar fabric material used in sports gear. They are often made from fleece or wool or a mesh-type fabric.
Coolers/Scrim
Sheets are usually used during warmer months or after an intense workout, but they can also provide some sun relief from the sun’s heat. They are also useful in bug-infested areas as they keep horses protected from annoying insects that can cause discomfort and stress for them.
Neck Types and Hood Attachments for Horse Blankets
High Neck Blankets
One thing to consider when selecting a horse blanket is the coverage level. High neck horse blankets provide additional warmth by covering the neck above the withers.
The neck area is one of the most important areas to focus on when it comes to keeping your horse warm, as it is the area where the heat escapes the quickest. High neck horse blankets offer better insulation and fewer hair rubs on the neck area than a regular horse blanket.
They come in a variety of styles and options, including having a high neck built-in or as an attachment.
Hoods
Hoods are an attachment option that can be removed if needed. These attach to the top of a horse blanket at the withers and provide coverage to the neck and head areas of the horse.
Hoods can be beneficial when temperatures dip below freezing or when a horse suffers from rain rot on their head and neck area.
Hoods come in different sizes depending on the size of your horse’s head. Ensure that the hood properly fits to avoid unwanted slipping and irritation on the horse’s head and neck area.
Combo Neck Blankets
Combo Neck Blankets offer complete head to tail coverage, eliminating any drafts that could cause discomfort or illness. With fewer gaps, combo neck blankets offer more protection and insulation on those bitterly cold days.
Combo Neck Blankets typically have a non-removable neck cover with built-in insulation, providing warmth from the tail to the horse’s throat. The combination of a high neck blanket with a removable hood or non-removable neck cover provides full coverage to keep your horse both warm and comfortable.
Final Thoughts
Horse blankets need to be chosen wisely, considering the weather conditions, the horse’s sensitivity, and other essential factors. While horse blankets serve to keep your horse protected and warm, the use of liners, coolers/scrim sheets, neck types, and hood attachments can provide additional warmth while offering versatility and flexibility.
Invest in the best option for your horse and their unique needs, and peace of mind will follow.
Examples of Horse Blanket Use
Horse blankets are an essential item for horse care, as they keep horses warm, dry, and protected from the elements. Different areas and seasons come with different weather conditions, making it essential to have a variety of horse blankets to meet the unique needs of each horse.
Here are some examples of horse blanket use for different situations and seasons. Rain
Sheet
Rain sheets come in handy during rainy seasons or in areas with a high level of precipitation.
These types of horse blankets protect horses from getting wet and can save grooming time and physical effort to prepare horses before the ride or a show. The Rhino Wug
Sheet is a high-quality rain sheet with a unique neck design that keeps the rain and wind out.
Light Blanket Liner
On mild winter days, a light blanket liner can offer the perfect insulation. These types of horse blankets can be used alone or layered underneath a heavy horse blanket for extra warmth.
The Horseware
Light Blanket Liner is a popular liner option as it provides comfort and deep coverage without adding too much weight.
Medium Turnout Blanket
A medium turnout horse blanket is perfect for colder weather and heavy precipitation. It provides ample insulation and protection from the outdoor elements.
The Weatherbeeta ComFiTec High Neck horse blanket is a popular option with its waterproof and breathable material, providing additional coverage with its high neck construction.
Medium Blanket Liner
Medium blanket liners are a great layering option when temperatures start to fall below freezing, or blanket insulation is thin. These horse blankets add extra warmth to other blankets and are perfect for regions with cold weather.
The Rambo Vari-Layer Liner provides insulation using more varied weight layers and is an excellent option for cold fall and winter weather.
Fleece Cooler
Fleece coolers are efficient for keeping horses warm before and after workouts. These types of horse blankets are breathable and comfortable, created for active horses to dry sweat and prevent chilling.
The Centaur Contour Neck Cooler is a high-quality fleece cooler designed to wick away sweat and provide ultimate comfort and warmth. Scrim
Sheet
Scrim sheets are designed to keep horses cool during the summer months, usually lightweight and made of mesh-type materials.
High Spirit’s Irish Knit scrim sheet is an affordable option that offers UV protection, keeps flies off the horse, and is breathable, making it a great option for summer months.
High-Tech Blanketing Solutions
Technology has become an integral part of horse care, even during blanket season. Horse owners can now take advantage of innovative and modernized ways to monitor horse blankets to keep horses comfortable and healthy all year round.
Here are some examples of high-tech blanketing solutions.
SmartPak Blanketing App
SmartPak’s blanketing app offers a customized recommendation for each user. The app takes into account factors such as the horse’s weight, coat thickness, the weather in a particular area, and the horse’s level of activity to eliminate guesswork when choosing a horse blanket.
Additionally, the app provides reminders for when to change blankets or adjust the liner.
Orscana Equine Health Monitor
The
Orscana Equine Health Monitor is a wearable device with advanced technology that tracks the horse’s comfort zone. The device can measure activity, body temperature, and sweating.
The device sends real-time updates to a smartphone application, enabling horse owners to adjust the horse’s blanket, ensuring optimal comfort regardless of the weather conditions.
Horsepal Blanket Sensor
The
Horsepal Blanket Sensor measures the horse’s blanket using a sensor and an application to monitor temperature and humidity. It alerts horse owners when the horse’s blanket needs changing or when feedback is necessary, whether to provide shelter for horses or to determine when they need exercise.
The sensor is incorporated into an existing blanket and provides real-time updates to a smartphone app.
Final Thoughts
Horse blankets are an essential part of horse care, providing protection from weather elements and keeping horses warm. No matter the location, horses have unique needs, and different seasons come with varied weather conditions, making it necessary to have different types of horse blankets.
High-tech blanketing solutions can now provide real-time info on when to change and adjust horse blankets, improving horse welfare while making life easier for horse owners.
Frequently Asked Questions about Horse Blankets
Horse blankets can be a vital part of your horse’s wardrobe, providing warmth, protection, and comfort. However, with the many types and options of horse blankets available, it’s essential to find the right one for your horse’s needs.
Here are some frequently asked questions about horse blankets to help you make an informed decision.
Stable Blanket
Q: How effective are stable blankets at keeping horses warm? A: Stable blankets are designed for warmth in indoor weather conditions.
Typically having lower water resistance than turnout blankets, they’re not intended for outdoor use. Stable blankets offer insulation to keep the horses warm, but they won’t be very effective in wet conditions.
Horse Blanket vs
Sheet
Q: What’s the difference between horse blankets and sheets? A:
Sheets and blankets are both types of horse clothing.
Sheets are created for protecting the horse’s coat and maintaining cleanliness while keeping the horse cool and dry during warmer seasons. Blankets, on the other hand, are designed to provide warmth in cold and wet weather, and they come in various insulation options.
Best Turnout Blanket
Q: What is the best turnout blanket? A: The best turnout blanket will depend on your horse’s specific needs and your climate.
Tough 1 Snuggit 168D is a popular choice with its durable, waterproof construction and insulation levels allowing warmth in cold temperatures. You might also consider other beneficial features such as high neck and removable hoods that provide additional insulation.
Blanketing Damp Horses
Q: Can you blanket a damp horse? A: It’s not advisable to blanket a damp horse.
Wet hair prevents air from entering the insulation, making it unable to keep your horse properly insulated. If it’s necessary to blanket your horse after grooming or bathing, it’s essential to ensure they’re completely dry before putting on a blanket or considering other cooling options such as hand-walking, blowing, or air drying.
Summer Blanketing
Q: Should horses be blanketed or sheeted in the summer? A: It depends on the local weather condition, how much sun exposure, and your horse’s needs.
In general, horses don’t typically require blankets during the summer months, except for those experiencing health issues or those who have a thin coat. However, heavier horse breeds or horses with darker coats can sometimes be more prone to sweating.
In such cases, sheeting can be helpful, as this type of horse blanket is designed to provide sun protection and keep your horse dry, cool, and comfortable.
Final Thoughts
Horse blankets are a helpful accessory in keeping horses comfortable and protected. While choosing the right horse blanket can be a challenge, knowing what your horse needs and researching different options can help you find the perfect fit.
By leveraging technology and high-tech blanket solutions, you can track and adjust horse blankets to provide optimal comfort. With a little knowledge and preparation, you can keep your horse happy, healthy, and cozy all year round.
In conclusion, horse blankets are essential to keep horses comfortable and protected from the weather elements. Different types of horse blankets, such as stable blankets, waterproof turnout blankets, liners, and coolers, serve specific purposes and offer various insulation options ideal for different weather conditions.
It’s crucial to choose the right horse blanket for your horse’s unique requirements to ensure they receive maximum protection and comfort. Finally, high-tech blanketing solutions can simplify the