Your horse’s blanket is a big investment, and you want to make sure you get the most out of your money to keep your horse comfortable and warm. But you also want him to be safe.
Prior to the start of blanket season, you should have performed our five-step blanket checklist to ensure that your blanket not only still fits your horse properly but also has no issues with the hardware, stitching, or fabric. Blankets should be cleaned and stored when they’re not in use to extend the lifetime of the fabric and construction.
Blanket Safety
Blanket injuries can occur with improperly fitted or adjusted blankets. Most blanket injuries happen because of poor fit—a blanket that is too large can cause your horse’s legs to become entangled in the straps, and a blanket that is too small can cause pressure sores or uncomfortable rubbing. Even if your horse’s blanket fit him last year, that doesn’t mean it'll fit this year—always check the fit before it’s time to use the blanket.
It's also important to check the fit throughout the season—your horse could lose or gain weight throughout the winter, making the fit too loose or too tight.
Loose or improperly connected straps can also be dangerous. All straps on the blanket should be adjusted properly before the horse is turned loose with the blanket on. Hind leg blanket straps should be loose enough to allow the horse to extend his leg forward and back without restriction, but not so loose that a hoof can become caught when rolling or lying down. The straps should be properly attached in a crisscross fashion. (Watch our how-to video)
Snaps should not face out. If your blanket has snaps, the "mouth" of the snap needs to face in towards the horse—this includes on the chest and for the rear leg straps. If a snap is facing out, it can get caught on fences or stall grates, thus causing a reaction. (We also have a video on this, watch here.)
Too Warm of a Blanket?
You want your horse to be comfortable in the cold. If you are cold, then that must mean that they're cold, right? So, wouldn’t you want to bundle up yourself and bundle up your horse too? That's not entirely true. You can overheat your horse by having him wear a blanket that’s either too heavy or just plain not needed. There are many factors to consider when choosing what type of blanket to use, if any at all.
If you find your horse "wet" under his blanket one day, your first concern may be that the weatherproofing of your blanket (if you purchased one with this tag) has failed. Most likely, that’s not the case—the wetness could be sweat. Remember, horses can retain heat and stay warm at much lower temperatures than we can. And, depending on the horse’s age and condition, as well as the state of his coat (i.e., is he body clipped or does he have a full, thick coat?), your horse may not need a blanket.
Blanketing & Riding
If you ride your horse during the winter and plan to blanket him afterward, your horse must be completely dry before wearing a blanket. Putting a blanket on your horse when he’s warm with a sweaty haircoat is an invitation for bacteria or fungi to grow and thrive. It can also cause your horse to be itchy and uncomfortable. If you plan to ride often, consider body clipping to help prevent overheating and quicken cooldown/drying times. You can use a fleece cooler to help your horse dry off and cool down during winter.
Blanket Tips
If you aren't riding and frigid weather sticks around for an extended period, you may need to keep a blanket on your horse for a long time. If that's the case, be sure to remove the blanket every couple of days to inspect your horse's coat and body condition. Feel your horse’s topline and ribs for any weight loss and check to see if there are any rubs from the blanket. This is a great time for a thorough grooming session to fluff up the hair and remove any dirt or mats. Before re-blanketing your horse, take time to review your blanket's condition for any new tears, misplaced burrs or broken hardware.
Static Shock
If you’re in a dry climate, you are familiar with the battles of static cling and static shock with your own clothes. You also have to battle static electricity with your horse’s blanket, and it might not be very pleasant for him! Your horse can get shocked when you go to take off or put on his blanket, and while that might not injure him, it can spook him and cause him to be more anxious when blanketing.
Some tips to avoid static shock with your blanket:
- Rub down your horse and the blanket with an unscented fabric softener sheet.
- Spray your brushes with a coat conditioner prior to using them on your horse.
- Spray static guard on the inside of the blanket, but don’t use anything before reading what is in a product. (Some horses may have an allergic reaction.)
- When putting the blanket on or taking it off, do not pull across your horse's back, lift up from the hair. You can keep yourself grounded by placing one hand on a fence or stall wall while you first start to remove the blanket—this lessens the chance of a shock.
Blanketing isn’t an Afterthought
Take some time to make sure your blankets are ready for the season and that your horse is willing. Taking a blanket off or putting it on shouldn't be rushed, especially if your horse isn’t accustomed to wearing one. Investing a little time researching what blanket you need, ensuring that it fits and is in good shape and being mindful of how you approach the horse with the blanket will make blanket season a little easier this year.
Don’t forget to protect your investment with proper storage for your blankets and sheets. Having various hanging and storage options will allow you to keep your blankets organized, clean and more easily accessible. Tough1 has different options from blanket bars to blanket bags to help you hang, store and protect your blankets. You can read other options for protecting your blanket investment here: Proper Horse Blanket and Storage Practices
