Horse Articles - Horse.com's Guide to Buying a Blanket

Blanket season is here again and choosing the right one can be a bit overwhelming. At Horse.com, we want to make the process less complicated by answering some of the questions you may have before making your blanket purchase. We’ve put together Horse.com’s “Guide to Buying a Blanket”. We’re always here to help you, our customers. So, let’s cover the subject—and your horse!

Let’s start with these most frequently asked questions.

1. "What type of blanket should I buy?"

Deciding on whether you should purchase a stable blanket or a turnout sheet would truly depend on whether or not you need a waterproof blanket. Stable blankets are NOT waterproof, and are typically used when your horse is kept in the barn. They feature a center seam and rump darts that give it a contoured design. Full hoods are also available. Sold separately from the blanket purchase, they help provide complete coverage for horses that are usually body clipped. Popular stable blanket brands available at Horse.com include Big D® All American, Pro Equine® Relentless™ and Weaver® Profit™.

Turnout blankets/sheets are waterproof and there are two types available: Standard, which provides coverage from the withers to the tail, and Combo or Detach-A-Neck, which provides coverage from just behind the ears to the tail. The designs of turnout blankets/sheets are more “drape” like and roomier to allow for better coverage and help in the protection against the elements of Mother Nature. Popular Turnout blanket brands Horse.com offers are Defender ®, WeatherBeeta®, Saxon®, Big D®, Professional’s Choice® and Weaver®.

2. “How do I know if the blanket will help keep my horse warm enough?”

Depending on how much fill is in the blanket will determine how warm the blanket should be. The fill can be either Polyfill or Fiberfill and is measured in grams. The higher the weight number is, the warmer the blanket will be. Determining which weight you should choose depends on your horse’s environment and the condition of your horse’s coat. Besides the climate, also keep in mind if your horse grows a light/heavy coat, is body clipped mid-winter, is turned out with or without shelter, or kept in a barn. These are all factors in determining which blanket fill to choose. We’ve provided two charts for you to reference to help you determine what would fit your needs best.

3. “How easily will my horse's blanket rip?”

Well, we can’t always guarantee that your horse’s blanket won’t get caught on a board, or that one of his pasture friends won't think of his new blanket as a chew toy. One thing to consider is the strength of the outer shell of a turnout blanket. Also known as “denier”, this strength is determined by the thread’s thickness. The higher the denier number is, the stronger the material strength will be.

4. "How do I figure out which blanket size to order?"

To answer this question, you will need to measure your horse. This is easiest when done with the help of a second person. You will need a flexible tape measure, which will help you get the most accurate measurement possible. First, start by standing your horse as square as possible on a flat, even surface. Next, place the tape measure at the center of the horse’s chest, over the high point of the shoulder. With the tape measure held in place on the chest, run it alongside the horse’s body until you reach the rear of the hind leg. For the most accurate measurement, keep the tape as straight as possible along the side of the body without following the contours of the horse’s body. If the length falls on a size not offered by the blanket company, then simply round up to the next available size being offered.

5. "I ordered my blanket at Horse.com and it arrived, but how do I tell if it fits my horse properly?"

First, we recommend placing a thin, clean stable sheet on your horse to keep the blanket in new condition, in case the fit isn’t just right. To check if the blanket fits properly, place the blanket on and fasten the chest straps so the fabric overlaps at the chest. It should be snug here, but not tight. Next, fasten the surcingles and adjust to fit loosely on the horse’s stomach with about four fingers width between belly and straps. Finally, fasten the leg straps and adjust so you can only fit a hand’s width between each leg strap on your horse’s thighs.

6. "The blanket looks like it fits, but I’m just not sure. Any suggestions?”

Once the blanket is on your horse, check the length and the fit on the front. To check the length, stand behind the horse and gently bring the two ends toward one another against the horse’s rump. Try not to pull the blanket out of place as you are doing this. If the ends meet on the horse’s tail, the blanket is too large. If you cannot bring them together at all or if you can see more than 2-3 inches of the horse’s rump on either side of the tail, then the blanket is too small. The end of the blanket should stop just above where the tail starts. Now, to check the fit on the front of your horse, it is best to watch your horse walk while wearing the blanket. As your horse is moving forward, observe the shoulders. If the blanket fabric pulls tightly against the shoulder to the point of possibly impeding movement, then the blanket is too snug. If the blanket drops very low at the shoulder or chest, then the neck opening and/or the blanket is too large.

7. “How do I clean my horse’s blanket?”

The best way to clean your horse’s blanket is to wash it with a mild detergent and then hang to dry.

With all of these helpful hints, purchasing your horse’s new blanket will be so much easier. At Horse.com, we carry a huge selection of horse turnout blankets, stable sheets, horse coolers and more. Shop Horse.com today and help get your pony covered!