Does my horse need a blanket? Yes, your horse might need a blanket if the weather is very cold, wet, or windy, or if the horse has been clipped, is elderly, ill, or thin. Deciding when to blanket a horse requires looking closely at several factors, including the horse’s natural coat, the weather, and the horse’s individual health. This comprehensive horse blanket guide will help you make the best choice for your equine friend.
Fathoming When to Blanket a Horse
Knowing when to blanket a horse is more art than exact science. It involves looking at the environment and observing your horse. Not every dip in temperature means reaching for the turnout rug. Horses are well-equipped to handle cold weather naturally, thanks to their horse winter coat.
Assessing Your Horse’s Natural Defenses
A healthy horse has a marvelous built-in defense system against the cold.
The Horse Winter Coat
The horse winter coat grows in response to decreasing daylight hours, not just cold temperatures. This thick, insulating coat traps air close to the skin, creating a warm barrier. The horse can also raise these hairs to create even better insulation—much like your goosebumps when you get cold.
- Natural Insulation: A dense winter coat provides significant warmth.
- Moisture Shedding: A healthy coat should shed light rain naturally.
- Energy Use: Growing and maintaining this coat takes a lot of energy.
How to Tell If My Horse Is Cold
You must learn how to tell if my horse is cold before adding layers. The common advice to stick your hand under the blanket works, but there are better, more nuanced ways to check.
The Touch Test Areas
Check these key areas on your horse:
- Neck: This is a good starting spot. If the area right behind the shoulder blade feels chilly, the horse might be getting cold.
- Flank: Check the area near the hindquarters. Cold flanks often signal the horse needs more warmth.
- Ears: Cold ears can sometimes mean the whole body is feeling the chill, though this is less reliable than body temperature checks.
If your horse is shivering, reluctant to move, or standing tucked up tightly, it is definitely too cold and needs immediate attention, possibly a warmer blanket or bringing them inside.
Behavioral Clues
Watch how your horse acts when deciding if blanketing is needed:
- Huddled: Does the horse stand with its head tucked low between its front legs? This is an attempt to conserve heat.
- Reluctance to Move: If they seem stiff or slow to move around in the pasture, they might be conserving energy due to the cold.
- Seeking Shelter: Are they constantly crowding into a small run-in shed, even when it’s not raining? They are looking for wind protection.
Factors Influencing Blanketing Decisions
Many things play a role in deciding if a blanket is necessary. You must look beyond just the thermometer reading.
Temperature Thresholds and Weather
While there is no single magic number, certain temperatures warrant closer monitoring.
| Temperature Range (°F) | Typical Horse Reaction (Healthy, Full Coat) | Blanketing Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Above 50°F | Comfortable, shedding natural coat. | No blanket needed. |
| 40°F – 50°F | Comfortable, perhaps slightly chilly in wind. | Light sheet or liner if wet/windy. |
| 30°F – 40°F | Can handle this well if dry and not windy. | Consider a medium-weight blanket if they are older or unclipped. |
| Below 30°F | Needs aid if exposed to wind or wetness. | Medium or heavy turnout blanket likely needed. |
Wind Chill and Precipitation
Wind and rain are often bigger enemies than cold air alone. A low temperature feels much colder if the wind blows right through their coat. This is known as wind chill.
- Wind: Wind strips away the layer of warm air trapped in the coat. Wind protection is vital.
- Rain/Snow: When the hair gets wet, the natural insulation fails. Water conducts heat away from the body very fast. A waterproof outer layer is essential in wet weather.
Individual Horse Needs
Not all horses are built the same. Some need blankets more often than others.
Age and Health
Older horses or those with health issues struggle to maintain body heat. They cannot shiver as effectively or may have underlying conditions that make them sensitive to cold.
Body Condition Score (BCS)
Thin horses (low BCS) have little natural fat for insulation. They will feel the cold much faster than a horse carrying good weight. A horse in ideal condition (BCS 5 or 6) handles cold much better.
Breed and Coat Type
Thick-coated breeds, like many native pony types or heavy horses, handle cold exceptionally well. A thin-coated Thoroughbred or an Arabian might feel the chill sooner than a draft breed.
The Impact of Clipping a Horse
One of the biggest factors determining the need for a blanket is clipping a horse. When you clip a horse, you remove its natural insulation.
Why Clip?
Owners clip horses for several reasons, primarily related to work and management:
- Heavy Work: Clipped horses sweat less during exercise. This prevents them from getting chilled after a hard ride when the sweat dries.
- Grooming Ease: A short coat dries much faster after bathing or exercise.
- Preventing Overheating: In warmer climates or during intense training, clipping helps regulate body temperature during work.
Blanketing After Clipping
If you clip your horse, you must replace the lost insulation. Never clip a horse completely in the fall or early winter if you do not plan to blanket it.
- Trace Clip/Neck Clip: If only a small section is clipped, a light sheet or blanket might be needed during very cold or wet periods.
- Full Body Clip: A full clip removes almost all natural protection. These horses often need constant blanketing whenever the temperature dips below 40°F, or even higher if there is wind or rain.
Types of Horse Blankets: A Detailed Look
Once you decide blanketing is necessary, you need to choose the right product. There are many types of horse blankets designed for different conditions.
Turnout Blankets vs. Stable Blankets
The primary division is based on where the horse wears the blanket:
- Turnout Blankets: Designed for outdoor wear. They must be durable, waterproof, and windproof. They usually have shoulder gussets for movement and strong fasteners.
- Stable Blankets: Meant for indoor use (in a stall or barn). They are breathable but usually not waterproof. They prioritize warmth and comfort inside.
Deciphering Horse Blanket Weight (Fill)
The fill, or weight, determines how warm the blanket is. This is often measured in grams of insulation material (like polyfill). This is critical information for your horse blanket weight selection.
| Blanket Weight/Fill (Grams) | Typical Use Scenario | Insulation Level |
|---|---|---|
| No Fill (0g) | Rain sheets, liners for mild weather. | Water protection only. |
| Light (50g – 100g) | Cool, breezy days; for clipped horses needing light warmth. | Minimal insulation. |
| Medium (150g – 200g) | Standard winter wear for many horses below 40°F. | Moderate insulation. |
| Heavy (300g +) | Deep winter, freezing temperatures, or for elderly/thin horses. | Maximum warmth. |
A great rule of thumb: use the lightest blanket that keeps the horse comfortable. Over-blanketing can cause sweating, which then chills the horse when the blanket traps the moisture.
Specialized Sheets and Liners
Not every option needs to be a heavy winter rug.
Rain Sheet for Horses
A rain sheet for horses is essential equipment, even for horses with a good coat. A rain sheet offers no insulation (0g fill) but is 100% waterproof and breathable. It is perfect for keeping the horse dry during autumn or spring downpours when temperatures are mild but rain is constant. Getting soaked ruins a horse’s natural insulation.
Fleece Liner for Horse Blanket
A fleece liner for horse blanket is a versatile tool. These often attach to the outer shell blanket using clips at the surcingles or neck.
- Versatility: Liners allow you to customize warmth. You can use a 0g turnout shell with a 100g liner for a light layer, or add a 300g liner for maximum warmth, eliminating the need for three separate heavy blankets.
- Cool Down: Fleece liners are also great for cooling down a sweaty horse after exercise if you don’t want to use a cooler rug immediately.
Establishing a Horse Blanket Temperature Guide
To simplify decision-making, many owners rely on a horse blanket temperature guide. This guide combines the horse’s needs with the environmental conditions.
How to Use the Guide Effectively
A good guide helps you choose the right fill weight based on the expected temperature and whether the horse is clipped or rugged.
Example Scenario: Horse is Unclipped and Healthy
- Above 45°F: No blanket needed.
- 35°F – 45°F: Light/Medium weight (100g – 150g) if wet or windy.
- 25°F – 35°F: Medium weight (200g).
- Below 25°F: Heavy weight (300g+) needed, especially overnight.
Example Scenario: Horse is Fully Clipped and Working
- Above 50°F: Light sheet (0g or 50g) only if raining.
- 40°F – 50°F: Light to Medium fill (100g – 150g).
- 30°F – 40°F: Medium fill (200g).
- Below 30°F: Heavy fill (300g+) is usually required for comfort and safety.
Remember, this guide is a starting point. Always check your horse hourly when extreme weather hits.
Caring for Blanketed Horses
Blanketing is a management tool, not a passive activity. It requires daily inspection and maintenance.
Checking Fit and Rubs
A poorly fitting blanket causes serious issues like blanket rubs. Rubs are chafing areas where the blanket constantly moves or presses too tightly.
Common Rub Spots:
- Shoulders: Look for bald patches right where the front leg meets the chest.
- Withers: Rubs here often happen when the blanket rides up or is too tight across the crest of the neck.
- Chest/Girth: Areas where buckles and straps cinch tightly.
If you see a rub starting, address it immediately. Use shoulder guards, fleece collars, or specialized anti-rub vests to protect the skin.
Maintenance and Hygiene
Blankets must be clean and in good repair. Dirt and mud trapped in a blanket against the coat can actually cause irritation and skin issues.
- Daily Check: Check straps daily for security. Ensure the leg straps are not twisted.
- Weekly Spot Clean: Brush off heavy mud or manure before the horse goes out again.
- Seasonal Washing: Have all blankets professionally washed and re-waterproofed once or twice a year.
Ensuring Proper Layering
If you use liners, ensure they are properly attached. A liner that shifts can bunch up, making the horse uncomfortable or causing dangerous tripping hazards if it slides partially off. Always match the liner type to the outer blanket shell.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I blanket a horse that is sweating heavily?
No, you should never put a blanket on a soaking wet, sweaty horse. Trapping that moisture against the skin will rapidly pull heat away from the body, leading to a chilled horse. You must cool the horse down first using a cooler rug (like a specialized wool or fleece cooler) until the sweat dries, or the horse is just damp before putting on a turnout blanket.
How often should I check my horse when it’s blanketed in winter?
You should check your horse at least twice daily: once in the morning and once before you settle them in for the night. During periods of extreme weather changes (e.g., a sudden drop in temperature or a major storm), check them every few hours to adjust the layering if needed.
Is it bad for my horse’s coat if I leave the blanket on all winter?
Leaving a blanket on continuously can hinder the natural growth of the horse winter coat. If you leave a heavy blanket on for months, the hair underneath might stay shorter and finer, making the horse dependent on the blanket. If the blanket rips or is lost, the horse may struggle to cope with the cold immediately. It is better to remove the blanket on mild days (over 50°F) if the horse is healthy and has a decent coat, allowing the skin to breathe.
What is the difference between a turnout blanket and a waterproof sheet?
A turnout blanket always has insulation (fill, measured in grams) and is waterproof. A waterproof sheet, often called a rain sheet, has little to no insulation (0g or 50g) and is designed only to keep the horse dry during rain or snow while offering minimal warmth.
Can a horse get too hot under a blanket?
Yes, a horse can easily overheat under a blanket, especially if the outside temperature rises unexpectedly or if the blanket is too heavy for the weather. Overheating leads to sweating. Once the sweat cools, the trapped moisture chills the horse severely. Always err on the side of a lighter blanket if you are unsure about the day’s high temperature.