Choosing Your Winter Blanket

With all the different types and kinds of equine blankets out there, one can easily get confused as to what they really need for the winter season. Fashion plays a big part in the decision making for many people, however I must caution you to make your choice first and foremost on a few other factors.

First, decide where, when and how often your horse will be wearing a blanket. Are you turning your horse out to pasture or in a paddock, or are you going to be stabling or traveling with your blanket/sheet?

If you are using it as a turnout, you will want to look for a higher denier blanket. Most of our turnouts will be at least 1200 denier, which means it’s made of a heavier outer material that will not snag as easy. If you are looking more for a blanket for stabling purposes, we have several options in denier for you to choose, from 420 to 1200 denier. Remember; the lower the denier the easier the blanket could tear if you have something sticking out of your stall wall.

Another factor to consider is what type of climate do you live in? Are you in Montana where you have snow for a LONG time and it gets really cold…or are you in Florida where freezing normally doesn’t happen. Depending upon that answer, you’ll choose what polyfill gram weight is best suited for your situation. The higher the gram, the heavier the inner fill for the blanket, therefore the warmer the blanket. If you are in the lower part of Texas, California or Florida, you may consider 600 denier turnout with a 250 gram fill, for example Equisential 600D Winter Turnout Blanket. If for some reason you have a cooler than normal evening, you can always layer your lighter weight blanket by putting a fleece cooler underneath. Or another trick you may consider is if you have a lighter denier blanket or sheet, cover it with a Kensington Protective Fly Sheet for turnout.

If you have any questions, please feel free to email or call (800-419-9524). Our customer service department is quite knowledgeable on our blanket lines. Stay warm! Julie

PS. Give-a-way coming soon! Keep an eye on our blog, like us on facebook or follow us on twitter for details. Don't miss out!

Comments

[cindy bean]

keep me posted on blanket giveaway - any blanket that is waterproof and lightweight and FITS one of my two old geldings would be wonderful!

[Michelle Stobbe]

I use blankets on my horses that i haul, and I look for a med weight, breathable, waterproof blanket that will wash up great. Please enter me in your contest as Flame would just love to look like a zebra. and this would also deter any hunters in my area. That is another reason to have blankets on them. Thanks for all your GREAT products!! Michelle and Equine Partners

[Becky Duffy]

I would like to be entered into the blanket give away please. I need a new blanket for my 4 year old, Rain, who had a chewing problem last winter and chewed up 3 blankets!!! I left him naked for a week when the temps were in the 30-40 degrees, then when the temps dropped I put ANOTHER blanket on him...for some reason he decided to leave this one on ;) I have 3 horses total and they are blanketed from the elements, just another way to keep them safe and warm through the rough winter days of Iowa. Thanks so much!

[GwenHerman]

I've not used a blanket on my horse yet, but I know at a point I will probably need to due to the severe winters we sometimes get.

[Sharon]

My horse needs a new blanket because his stablemate has shredded his blanket. The repair shop tried to sew it back together but it's on it's last legs :)

[Loyce H]

My horse is an Off Track Racehorse named
Majestic who I adopted in the past 6 months.
He is 11 years old and finally retired at last.
Because he is adapting to new conditions
and also being from stall to a pasture, he
can use a new blanket as Winter approaches
in the North Texas weather. He will need
a light to medium blanket which will not
turn , moves with him as he walks, & without
binding at his chest& shoulders. Last winter
was quite cold and icy for TX and this horse
is not used to being free often from his
stall as he is now. His life was the racetrack.
I would love to have this new blanket
for him/ he has raced for 9 1/2 years and
has earned a comfortable retirement. Thank you.
Loyce