How to Use a Horse Blanket
Horse blankets can be a good idea for your horse. They can keep him warm and dry during cold, winter months. This is especially important if you want to show the horse, you have an older horse, or have a horse that is in poor health. Determining the fit of the horse blanket is extremely important as well.
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Instructions
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Take a tape measure and measure your horse. Measure from the middle of your horse's chest, the entire length of the body to under the tail. This will ensure that you get an accurately sized horse blanket.
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Round the number up if it's an odd number. Most blanket sizes are in even sizes only.
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Get the correctly sized blanket for your horse and put it on the horse and begin a second sizing to make sure that it fits properly.
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Check the area around the neck and shoulders for comfort. You should be able to easily run your hand between the horse and blanket.
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If the blanket has a closed or sewn shut front, slip it over your horse's head and neck and pull it down onto his back. If he's not used to having a blanket slipped over his head, you may need to spend some time showing him the blanket isn't scary. If the blanket has a buckled front, slide it onto his back and buckle the front of the blanket.
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Fasten the surcingles, the straps along the middle torso area of the blanket. When these are tightened there should be approximately one hand width provided. If they are too long there is the possibility that the horse's feet could get caught in them.
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If the blanket has leg straps, fasten them.
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Make sure that the blanket won't impede the horse's movement. The horse should be able to graze, walk, run, move anyway considerable comfortably and without the blanket interfering. Even make sure that the blanket doesn't impede the tail as well.
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When ever your horse will need the blanket, it's ready to use. Consider getting a water proof blanket as well in case there is precipitation while the horse is wearing the blanket.
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Most horse blankets can be washed in a washing machine. This makes cleaning the blanket easy and convenient.
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Tips & Warnings
Some people don't like to wash the blanket in the washing machine as it makes the machine dirty. There are services that wash and repair blankets.
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Comments
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ColdMountain
Dec 05, 2008
For all you new horse owners out there, it's December at my ranch, at 7,000 feet elevation in the mountains, 19-degrees outside, relatively dry, no frost yet, wind less than 5 MPH and my favorite 4-year old thoroughbred filly is curled up on the ground in a paddock alone, with only the shining "half-moon" and a covered lean-to available to her if she wants to get under roof. We've invested close to $40,000 in that race horse, so I watch her like a proud daddy. She's just fine. But I became curious about opinions on the internet as to "what temperature" is critical before covering a horse. Searched, but didn't find much. Over the last few years, in freezing weather, snow or dry conditions, I learned that thoroughbreds and quarter horses who were allowed to grow their natural Winter coat, can easily stand temperatures down to around 10 to 15-degrees (considering the "wind chill factor" -
ColdMountain
Dec 05, 2008
For all you new horse owners out there, it's December at my ranch, at 7,000 feet elevation in the mountains, 19-degrees outside, relatively dry, no frost yet, wind less than 5 MPH and my favorite 4-year old thoroughbred filly is curled up on the ground in a paddock alone, with only the shining "half-moon" and a covered lean-to available to her if she wants to get under roof. We've invested close to $40,000 in that race horse, so I watch her like a proud daddy. She's just fine. But I became curious about opinions on the internet as to "what temperature" is critical before covering a horse. Searched, but didn't find much. Over the last few years, in freezing weather, snow or dry conditions, I learned that thoroughbreds and quarter horses who were allowed to grow their natural Winter coat, can easily stand temperatures down to around 10 to 15-degrees (considering the "wind chill factor"
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Nouvisimo
Jan 20, 2008
Excellent article. Well written and informative. Though you most likely will not want to wash your horse blankets in the same washer as your clothes. Laundrymats have policies against this as well. Every town where horses thrive usually have a blanket repair bussiness who will launder your blankets. In betwene washings, use a hard bristle bush to remove hair and mud. Also, don't forget to check all snaps, buckles, and closures for safety!
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Nouvisimo
Jan 20, 2008
Excellent article. Well written and informative. Though you most likely will not want to wash your horse blankets in the same washer as your clothes. Laundrymats have policies against this as well. Every town where horses thrive usually have a blanket repair bussiness who will launder your blankets. In betwene washings, use a hard bristle bush to remove hair and mud. Also, don't forget to check all snaps, buckles, and closures for safety!
