The Great Blanketing Debate
Few topics in the horse world generate as much passionate disagreement as blanketing. Some owners blanket their horses at the first sign of fall. Others never blanket at all and consider it unnecessary meddling with nature. The truth, like most things in horse care, is somewhere in the middle - and depends entirely on your specific horse and situation.
Horses are remarkably well-equipped to handle cold weather. Their winter coat is an incredibly effective insulation system, with each hair able to stand up (piloerection) to trap warm air against the body. A healthy, unclipped horse with a full winter coat, access to shelter, and adequate hay can comfortably handle temperatures well below freezing. The question isn't whether horses can handle cold - they can. The question is whether your horse, in your specific situation, needs help.
When Blanketing Is Necessary
Horses That Need Blankets
- Clipped horses - If you've removed your horse's natural insulation for work purposes, you absolutely need to replace it with a blanket. This is the clearest case for blanketing.
- Senior horses - Older horses often have difficulty maintaining body condition and regulating temperature. A blanket can reduce the calories they'd otherwise burn to stay warm.
- Horses new to a cold climate - A horse transported from Florida to Montana in November hasn't had time to grow an appropriate winter coat. They'll need blanket support for that first winter.
- Thin or underweight horses - Horses without adequate body fat reserves struggle to thermoregulate. Blanket while working on improving their weight.
- Very young foals - Newborns and young foals in harsh conditions may need extra protection, especially during wet, cold weather.
- Horses without shelter access - If your horse can't escape rain and wind, a waterproof blanket becomes important in wet cold conditions.
- Sick or recovering horses - Illness compromises thermoregulation. Consult your vet.
Horses That Probably Don't Need Blankets
- Healthy adult horses with full winter coats and shelter access
- Hardy breeds like Icelandic horses, Fjords, Mustangs, and draft breeds
- Horses in moderate climates that rarely dip below freezing
- Horses with adequate hay supply (the digestive process of fermenting hay generates significant internal heat)
Understanding Blanket Types
Sheets (No Fill)
Lightweight blankets with no insulation. Used for:
- Rain protection without warmth (rain sheets)
- Fly protection in summer (fly sheets)
- Keeping a clean horse clean before shows (stable sheets)
- Light wind protection in cool but not cold weather
Lightweight Blankets (100-150g Fill)
Thin insulation layer. Appropriate for:
- Lightly clipped horses in mild cold (40-50°F / 4-10°C)
- Unclipped horses in wet, windy cold
- Senior horses in moderate cold
Medium Weight Blankets (200-250g Fill)
Moderate insulation. Good for:
- Clipped horses in moderate cold (25-40°F / -4 to 4°C)
- Thin or senior horses in significant cold
- The most versatile weight for horses that need blanketing
Heavy Weight Blankets (300-400g Fill)
Maximum insulation. Reserved for:
- Fully clipped horses in severe cold (below 25°F / -4°C)
- Horses with very thin coats in harsh conditions
- Typically only needed in the coldest climates
Turnout vs. Stable Blankets
- Turnout blankets - Waterproof outer shell, designed for outdoor use. Must be waterproof and breathable. This is what most horse owners need.
- Stable blankets - Not waterproof. Designed for use in a stall only. Wearing a stable blanket in rain is worse than no blanket at all, as it holds moisture against the body.
Temperature Guidelines
These are general guidelines for unclipped horses with shelter access. Adjust based on your horse's individual needs, coat condition, and body condition.
- 50°F+ (10°C+) - No blanket needed for most horses
- 40-50°F (4-10°C) - Rain sheet if wet and windy. Otherwise, no blanket.
- 30-40°F (-1 to 4°C) - Light blanket for thin-coated, senior, or compromised horses. Others are fine.
- 20-30°F (-6 to -1°C) - Medium blanket for clipped horses. Light blanket for seniors. Hardy horses with full coats are still comfortable.
- Below 20°F (below -6°C) - Heavy blanket for clipped horses. Medium for thin-coated horses. Full-coated hardy horses may still be fine with shelter and hay.
Critical factor: Wind and rain change everything. A dry 20°F day with no wind is far less stressful than a wet, windy 35°F day. Wind chill and wet conditions dramatically increase the need for blanketing.
Getting the Right Fit
A poorly fitting blanket is worse than no blanket. It rubs, restricts movement, slides, and creates pressure points. Here's how to measure and fit properly.
How to Measure
Stand your horse squarely on level ground. Using a soft measuring tape, measure from the center of the chest, along the side of the body, to the point of the buttock. This measurement in inches corresponds to the blanket size.
Most blankets are sized in 3-inch increments (72, 75, 78, 81, 84, etc.). If your horse measures between sizes, size up rather than down.
Checking the Fit
- Chest - The front closures should overlap comfortably without gaping or pulling tight. You should be able to fit a flat hand between the blanket and the chest.
- Shoulders - The blanket should not restrict shoulder movement. Walk your horse and watch for any binding or rubbing at the shoulders. Shoulder guards or shoulder gussets help prevent rubs.
- Back length - The blanket should cover the top of the tail without extending past it. Too long and it catches on things; too short and the hindquarters are exposed.
- Drop - The sides should hang below the belly but not so low they can be stepped on. Most blankets should end roughly at the level of the elbow.
- Leg straps - Should be snug enough not to dangle (leg-catching hazard) but loose enough to fit a fist between the strap and the leg. Cross the straps between the hind legs for security.
- Wither area - No pressure on the withers. You should be able to lift the blanket several inches above the withers with the front closures fastened.
Clipping and Blanketing
If you clip your horse for work (to prevent excessive sweating and long dry times), blanketing becomes a responsibility rather than a choice.
Common Clip Types and Blanket Needs
- Trace clip - Removes hair from the underside of the neck, chest, and belly. Usually needs a medium-weight blanket in cold weather.
- Blanket clip - Leaves hair on the back and legs. Needs a medium blanket; heavy in severe cold.
- Hunter clip - Removes all body hair except legs and saddle area. Needs medium to heavy blanketing in cold weather.
- Full clip - Everything comes off. Maximum blanketing required. May need stable blanket plus turnout.
Common Blanketing Mistakes
- Over-blanketing - A too-heavy blanket causes sweating, which soaks the coat and actually makes the horse colder when the blanket is removed. If your horse is sweating under their blanket, it's too heavy.
- Blanketing a wet horse - The blanket traps moisture against the skin. Always make sure your horse is dry before putting on a blanket, or use a moisture-wicking cooler first.
- Not checking under the blanket - Run your hands under the blanket daily. Check for rubs, heat, swelling, weight loss, or skin conditions developing unseen.
- Leaving blankets on too long - In fluctuating weather, a blanket that was appropriate at night may cause overheating by afternoon. Adjust with temperature changes.
- Ignoring waterproofing - Turnout blankets lose waterproofing over time. A blanket that wets through is actively dangerous. Reproof or replace as needed.