How to Buy a Horse Turnout Blanket

Shopping for a horse turnout blanket can be incredibly overwhelming. With so many choices it is difficult to figure out which turnout blanket to buy. All you want to do is protect your horse from the rain, snow, and cold...does it really have to be this hard? No, it doesn't. Knowing the key questions to ask and the key features to look for can greatly simplify the daunting task of shopping for a turnout blanket.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. First of all, whether you are shopping in a tack store, a catalog, or online, make sure that you are looking at turnout blankets and not stable blankets. If you are shopping for a turnout blanket for the first time, you might accidentally wind up in the stable blanket section because they look fluffy and warm at first glance. However, while stable sheets and blankets are meant to protect horses indoors and are not waterproof, turnout blankets are seamless and are built to keep rain and snow out.

2. Narrow down the turnout blanket selections by determining what level of fill you want (how warm you need it to be). Turnout sheets are just a waterproof shell, have no fill, and are meant for temperatures down to about 35 degrees for an unclipped horse and 45 degrees for a clipped horse. Medium weight turnout blankets have about 180-220 grams of polyfill and are appropriate down to about 15 degrees for an unclipped horse and 35 degrees for a clipped horse. As you can see, a heavy weight blanket (300-400 grams polyfill) is really only necessary for a clipped horse or very cold climates.

3. Next, you need to decide how durable you need your turnout blanket to be. The measure of blanket durability is called "denier" which describes how tight the weave of the fabric is. If you have a calm horse that lives alone, a low denier of 600 might suffice. However, if he shares a pasture, you will probably need over 1200 denier. Remember that a turnout blanket is an investment. The lower the denier, the cheaper the blanket, but you might end up having to buy several as each one rips. Consider what you can afford/what might work and go from there.

4. Use your horse's specific measurements to look for a specific size and fit in the turnout blanket. However, also keep brand information in mind when buying a turnout blanket. Ask knowledgeable sales people whether certain brands tend to run big or small. This can save you a return trip. Furthermore, different brands fit different breeds and horse shapes. Rambo blankets come from Europe and are built for warmblood-shaped horses. Weatherbeeta turnout blankets are roomy in the shoulders and can work well for Quarter Horses. If you have a Thoroughbred or narrow-shouldered horse, ask the salesperson what the store carries that might work well. Saddlebreds are often difficult to fit in turnout blankets and you might want to consult a catalog tailored to that breed.

5. 
    
   Shoulder gusset on a turnout

   After you have considered weight, denier, and shape, think about extra features in any turnouts you might buy. All turnout blankets should be coated so that they are not only waterproof but also breathable because a sweaty horse equals a cold horse. This is usually accomplished with a Teflon coating. Look at the straps and buckles on the turnout blanket. How do they attach? How sturdy do they look? Where will they hit on your horse's conformation? How easy will they be for you to secure and unsecure.

6. A shoulder gusset gives the horse more room to move freely. A tail flap keeps the horse's rear end dry. If your horse is pastured near a road or in the dark, you might want a blanket with reflective tape. In addition, slick linings can help prevent rubs on the shoulders etc.

7. Once you have found a potential turnout blanket to buy, make sure it has a reasonable return policy. It usually takes more than one try to find a good fitting turnout and you should be allowed to carefully try it on and return it if it doesn't work.

8. Buy the blanket and try it on your horse. Make sure that your horse is clean before you put the blanket on. Moreover, put a clean stable sheet (borrow one if necessary) on your horse underneath to prevent hair from getting on the blanket. Don't use a blanket with fill or a turnout as these will affect fit. Take note of the ways in which the turnout blanket does or doesn't fit so that if you need to return it, you can turn to other possibilities.

9. Don't get discouraged if it takes a couple of tries to buy that perfect turnout blanket. You and your horse will both be happier in the end and next time, you'll go through the process much more quickly.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have an unclipped horse in an area that occasionally stays below 15 degrees, consider buying a blanket liner to add under your medium weight turnout blanket if necessary.

Resources

• How to Put Together a Horse Grooming Kit
• How to Buy a Gift for a Horse Person

[mythoughts]

on 3/16/2009 Thanks for the great instructions! My horses say thanks too!

[Gardengates]

on 12/19/2008 Thanks for the excellent education on buying a horse turnout blanket.