Equestrian Essentials: Benefits of Horse Blankets

Owning a horse is not a simple task. It requires a lot of care and maintenance. It’ll take a lot of your time but it’s sure worth every second of it. Horses need regular workouts, feeding, vet visits, grooming, riding, hoof care and a blanket to keep them safe and warm during the chilly days. There are several types of blankets suitable for different weather conditions, but they’re all very beneficial for both the horse and you as the owner.

Benefits of Using Horse Blankets

Warmth

This is the most obvious benefit of the blankets. Their main purpose is to keep the horse warm and cozy. However, you have to carefully consider the weight of the blanket. If you throw a heavy one, the horse may overheat. It’s a delicate balancing act. You need to know how heavy to go. There are plenty of high-quality, durable horse blankets for horses that can get the job done.

Some horses have a hard time keeping their weight on during the winter. In this case, blanketing is a must. Especially when it’s freezing. Because of the blanket that keeps it warm, the horse can keep its weight on even during the harshest winters. To keep the horse warm and comfortable, host owners go for an 80g of fill blanket. If the snowfall gets heavier and the temperatures drop even more, you can invest in a heavy blanket with 300g of fill.

Keeps It Dry

Depending on the area you live in, sometimes keeping the horse dry is more important than keeping it warm. If the horse gets wet, of course, the cold will come soon and leave it shivering. In this case, you need to look for a blanket with waterproof and water-resistant properties. Even if the horse is out in the open, the blanket will keep it dry, and consequently warm.

Keeps It Clean

One of the main reasons horse owners buy a blanket is to keep it clean. If your horse is a furry monster during the winter, you should invest in a high-quality blanket. Horses tend to lie down and roll around the ground for various reasons. During wintertime, when they don’t get a lot of baths, they can get dirty very fast. To prevent this from happening, you should buy the horse a blanket. This is a simple addition that will make grooming simpler, easier, and less time-consuming.

Decreases Feed Consumption

As horses get older, they tend to lose weight and have a hard time keeping their weight on. Blanketing the horse and keeping it warm will lead to less food consumption because its body won’t burn as many calories on trying to keep the horse warm. You don’t want to upset the delicate balance of the horse’s digestive system because even though it’s complex, it’s very fragile.

Prevents Injuries

Horses are active animals by nature. During the summer this might not be a problem. But when winter comes and the snow starts falling, the chances of injuries increase significantly. Getting the horse a well-fitted blanket will add more cushioning in case of a fall. This protects it from minor injuries. Also, if your horse loves to roll around in mud or snow, the blanket can prevent abrasions from rough surfaces.

Makes the Horse Comfortable

There’s a plethora of horse blankets for horses to choose from, but not all of them will keep the horse comfortable. Cold weather and extreme temperatures can make the animal feel stressed. But if the horse is comfortable, it will be happy. Having a blanket on its back can surely make it cozy. Otherwise, it can have behavioural issues and difficulty maintaining a positive demeanour. You might want to try a few blankets before finding the right one, but it’s an investment worth making.

Convenient for You

It’s simpler to take care of your horse in the winter when you use horse blankets and sheets. Blankets reduce the need for grooming and protect the horse from dirt and grime. Plus, most of these blankets are simple and easy to clean as they’re machine washable which can save you a lot of time and effort.

How to Choose a Blanket

The market offers several different types of blankets. Choosing which one to buy depends on the weather conditions you live in and the horse’s needs. If the weather isn’t too bad and you just need a little covering, you can buy horse sheets. They’re lightweight and excellent for avoiding sunburns and fading on hot, sunny days. They’ll also keep dust and dirt off the horse. But because these sheets are thin, they can also damage faster.

Stable blankets will work wonders if you keep your horses in a barn or stable away from severe weather like snow, wind, and rain. Just make sure you don’t use them when it’s wet because they’re not made of waterproof materials. The rain will soak the horse and make it feel cold. Turnout horse blankets for horses are a very durable option. They’re heavy, made of thick materials and great if you keep the animal outside.

Additionally, they are waterproof, so neither snow nor rain will get through. Also, they are strong, breathable, and resilient to a lot of wear and tear. Don’t buy a blanket before you measure the size of the horse. With a soft measuring tape find the middle point of the horse’s chest. Then, run the tape down to the middle of the tail. If you can’t do it on your own, ask someone to help you so you get a precise measurement.

Horse blankets can be made of several materials and come in many colours. The majority of them will cover the horse from the shoulders to the tail. Some have a closed and some have an opened front. The open blanket gives the horse more movement options. When it comes to colours, you have plenty to choose from, basic tones, neutral colours, pastels and even animal prints.