We know blankets and sheets are an expensive investment in the care of your horse. He can’t wear a blanket 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, so you need a place to properly store your blankets, whether it's during the season or during the off-season.
Having a variety of hanging and storage capabilities will allow you to keep your blankets, sheets, fly sheets and coolers more organized, cleaner and more accessible.
Storing During the Off-Season
Heavy blankets are not needed during the heat of the summer. Fly sheets are not needed in the depths of winter. So where should they go?
First, properly wash your blanket/sheet/cooler following the manufacturer’s instructions. Washing and storing horse blankets isn't just and idea for saving space, but it will maximize the life of your horse's blankets, too. Leaving your blankets caked with dirt, mud and ammonia from urine can impact the fabric, causing it to degrade over time.
Make sure the blanket is thoroughly dry to prevent any growth of mildew while in storage.
After washing and drying, this is the perfect time to do a thorough check for any damage done to the blanket during the season. Going through the blanket checklist now will give you a leg up for the next blanketing season when you need to pull out your blankets in a rush, or you want to avoid having to purchase a new blanket at the last minute.
- Are there any tears in the outer or inner fabric?
- How do the buckles look? Is there any rust starting to show?
- Are there any loose stitches?
- What’s the condition of the fleece at the withers?
Second, choose the best storage compartment that fits your needs in the barn. You want to make sure that your blankets are stored in a sealed container to keep dirt, dust, mold, mildew and any pesky critters out of your investment.
Some storage solutions include:
- Tucked into a trunk that can be sealed and shut.
- Folded into a vacuum-sealed storage bag and then layered in a cabinet.
- Folded into a heavy duty plastic tote bin that can be stacked away.
- Folded into a zippered large storage bag with a clear panel to easily see contents.
- Folded into a blanket storage bag that can be stored elsewhere.
Storing During the Season
Having your blankets and sheets stored away is a wonderful way to keep them clean, but that can be inconvenient to put them away and get them out daily. That’s why you need to have some options for quick access storage to keep the blanket/sheet out of your way when not in use, but easy to grab when needed.
Using a blanket rack on your horse’s stall door allows you to quickly fold and hang the blanket/sheet after removing it from your horse. Ensure that the straps are not hanging where they can get caught or tangled.
Using a blanket storage bag that attaches to your stall door gives you the flexibility to store the blanket/sheet away from the dust and the elements if it’ll be hanging there for a longer period of time than just a day or two. These bags are able to be removed and hung on gates, in horse trailers and placed in a cabinet or trunk for a lengthier storage time.
If you have multiple blankets/sheets that need to be hung up quickly and easily, whether on the road at a show or in your barn, you can look at blanket bars that have multiple arms. The Tough1 Portable Blanket Bar fits over most barn walls or can be attached permanently. The four steel arms swing side to side to allow you to find the right blanket/sheet when needed. It makes it easy to organize and store your blankets, sheets and coolers. It also works well as a drying rack, allowing wet blankets to dry quicker than when folded. This is perfect for horse owners on the road because it folds up for easy storage.
As the temperatures start to change, whether for the warmer or the cooler, it’s time to change your horse's wardrobe. Taking the time to properly clean and care for your blankets/sheets, along with properly storing them, will ensure that the blankets and sheets are ready to keep your horse comfortable whenever you need them.
