Your horse needs to be healthy. If your horse has been ill, or is already in poor body condition, having them blanketed will help them conserve their energy towards maintaining their body condition, rather than staying warm. Here are your guidelines:. This may mean that you need to have more than one blanket for the fall and winter seasons. If your horse is out in the rain or sleet, they should be in a waterproof blanket. Again, if they get soaked through the blanket, they lose the insulating ability of the blanket as well as the hair coat.
The blanket should be checked and removed every couple of days. If you have an adult horse that has a full winter coat , adequate shelter , water , and hay , and is in good health and good body condition , they probably will not need a winter coat. Remove the blanket every few days to check your horse.
Remember, every horse is unique, so if you have questions, you should check with your veterinarian to determine if they should be blanketed. About Us. About The Author. Previous Conditioning Horses in Fall and Winter. Related Posts. Dead space. Search Search for:. Weekly Poll:. Do you plan to blanket your horse this winter? Yes, my horse will wear a blanket this winter. Yes, my horse will wear a blanket, but only during inclement weather. No, I do not plan to blanket my horse.
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Do keep in mind, however, that most horses with a natural hair coat will do fine without blankets as long as there is no wind or rain. It is very important to keep in mind that there are times when blanketing is worse than not blanketing.
Make sure that any blankets used for turnout are waterproof! A wet blanket will make your horse cold. Too many blankets, or too heavy a blanket will make your horse sweat, make the hairs lie down, and make your horse cold. Additionally, you should not see sweat marks on your horse when you take the blanket off. Proper fit is essential to keep your horse warm and safe.
You may have to try several styles of blanket to find the one that fits your horse correctly. Many horses, especially those that are clipped, will develop rub marks on the shoulders. Slick undergarments are available to help with this.
Spraying the inside of the blanket with a silicone grooming spray can also help. Make sure to use turnout blankets when horses are turned out! These blankets are designed to stay in place when your horse runs and rolls; they are waterproof; and they are generally of studier materials to withstand herd turnout.
Stable blankets are not waterproof, plus your horse can get tangled up in a blanket that is not intended for turnout. A blanket that is too small can cause pressure sores and not provide enough warmth. Likewise, a blanket is too large can be dangerous from being too loose, as well as allow too much cold air to flow underneath it. Information in this article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for evaluation by an equine professional.
In particular, all horse owners should seek advice and treatment from a licensed veterinarian, such as TEVA, for their horses' medical care. All Rights Reserved. Jay Joyce Dr. Sallie Hyman Dr.
Call Us Today To Blanket or Not to Blanket Winter is here! Although some horses are hard on blankets and try to chew them, urine and manure can also end up causing significant damage because the acids eat away at the material. You can buy a blanket-waterproofing product, which will help repel stains. When a blanket gets dirty, let it dry and then brush it off with a stiff brush.
Follow label directions and wash periodically in an industrial washing machine, preferably with cold water. Waterproof blankets are generally better off being professionally cleaned.
Dryers tend to beat up blankets, so it's better to use them minimally and hang blankets to finish drying completely. Once winter is over, make sure blankets are thoroughly cleaned before storing them away. Have any necessary repairs done at this time as well.
If you have multiple horses and blankets, it's helpful to write the horse's name and blanket size on a piece of masking tape and put that on the blanket or storage bag before putting them away for the season.
Some horse owners like to tuck a dryer sheet in with the clean, folded blanket, as they think this deters bugs. Just be sure to store blankets in a rodent-proof area. You don't want to pull them out next season to discover they've been turned into mouse bedding. Read More. Advice on When and How to Blanket Horses.
When and How to Blanket Horses Vita Flex Nature provides the horse with protection from the cold with an insulating hair coat that usually does a fine job. Make Sure it Fits Any time you are blanketing a horse, safety precautions should be taken.
Basic Blanket Care Although some horses are hard on blankets and try to chew them, urine and manure can also end up causing significant damage because the acids eat away at the material. Related Articles Article.
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