We Answer Our Customers’ Top Blanketing Questions!

In our 42 years of serving the horse community, we at Dover note the same five questions are asked of our product associates every year. The concerns are shared by horse owners everywhere. Here, we provide the answers to these most commonly asked questions to help you make your horse comfortable this season.

1. Why so many blanket weights?

Horse clothing manufacturers offer a range of weights in their blanket collections to allow the perfect choice for every horse based on its personal needs and its environmental conditions. The weight of a blanket refers to grams of poly fill between the inner and outer layers. The fill insulates a horse from the cold by trapping its body heat; the higher the number of grams of fill, the warmer and heavier the blanket will be.

Lightweight turnout blankets from some manufacturers have 100 grams of fill in the center. Other manufacturers refer to their turnout sheets as lightweights, so be sure to take note of fill when shopping for a light blanket. Mid-weight or medium weight turnouts have 180 to 200 grams of fill. Heavyweight turnouts typically have 300 to 440 grams of fill.

2. How do I know what weight blanket to put on my horse?

Multiple factors influence the right weight blanket for any horse on any given day. All horses’ needs are different. Consider whether your horse:

• Has a thick or thin hair coat
• Is unclipped, partially, or fully clipped
• Runs warm or is chilled and shivers easily
• Lives inside, outside, or is turned out without shelter
• Is an easy keeper, a hard keeper, or compromised by health issues
• Recently transplanted from a warm geographic area to a cooler one, or vice versa

To these considerations, factor in weather conditions and temperatures for the day. Always err on the side of a lower weight blanket rather than a heavier weight. If your horse becomes overheated, he can perspire inside the blanket. The moisture can then cause chills as he cools.

A lightweight turnout blanket with 100 grams of fill might be perfect for mild winter days or when temperatures are just starting to cool in fall or warm up in spring. Many horses do well with a medium weight blanket during most of their winter seasons. Heavyweight blankets, with neck covers, may be critical for use on a fully clipped horse and for extreme cold weather conditions. However, the warmth they provide may be too much for some horses in some conditions.

For extra help, try our Dover Blanket Wizard to find out what blanket to put on your horse each day.

3. How do I know what size to get for my horse?

A good fit in a blanket is essential for comfort and security. This photograph helps you see how a horse clothing manufacturer’s sizing is determined. The blanket is placed flat and smooth with fastenings undone. Any gussets or darts would be spread flat, too. A soft fabric tape measure with inch measurements runs from front binding to back binding, and sits just at base of the neck opening.

To determine the size blanket your horse needs, stand him squarely on level ground. Use a soft fabric tape measure running from the center of your horse’s chest (where the base of the neck meets the chest) over the point of his shoulder, to the point at which you want the blanket to end. The inch measurement you obtain translates to the blanket size you should try.

4. How do I know if the blanket fits my horse right?

Take these easy steps to be sure your horse’s blanket fits correctly:

1. Step 1: Place the blanket on your horse and fasten the chest closure. A perfect fit allows fabric at the chest to overlap, and the fastener to be adjusted near the middle. The tail seam should now sit at the point where you want the coverage to end.
2. Step 2: Check your ability to slide your hand under the blanket all around the neck and over the withers with your horse’s head in a grazing position and when raised. If the opening is too small, the blanket will pull or rub the withers, mane, or shoulders. If the opening is too large, your horse could get a foot caught, and it may rub your horse’s shoulders.
3. Step 3: Adjust belly closures, which may be two or three crossed or straight surcingles or a belly band. These straps should be adjusted so that you can slide only one flat hand between the strap and your horse’s belly. Looser straps can allow a horse’s leg to get tangled while lying down or rolling; tight straps can make the blanket rub.
4. Step 4: If the blanket has a tail strap, it should be adjusted so that you have about a hand’s width between the strap and your horse. If the blanket has leg straps, pass the left strap through your horse’s hind legs and clip it to the dee ring on the left side. Cross the right strap through and clip it to the right side. Adjust so that you can fit one hand’s width between the strap and the inside of your horse’s leg. Straps that are too long risk entanglement; too short, and they may chafe the gaskin or groin.
5. Step 5: Stand back and look at the overall effect of the blanket on your horse. The shoulders should not be stretched or tight, nor should the blanket sag or appear too large. The hem should not hang at or below your horse’s knees.

5. How do I stop my horse from ruining their blankets?

First, be sure you turn your horse out in a turnout blanket and not a stable blanket. Turnouts are waterproof and breathable, with tough outer shells made to stand up to the environment. Stable blankets are typically water-resistant only and feature softer outer shells meant for inside use only.

Next, consider the denier of your turnout blanket. Denier refers to the thickness of the synthetic fabric used as the outer layer, and it provides an indication of durability. The higher the denier, the heavier and stronger the fabric is. A 1680 denier blanket is more durable than a 420 denier blanket. If your horse is turned out in rough terrain or enjoys rough play with pasture mates, then a higher denier weight is most appropriate.

Also consider fabric terms such as ripstop nylon and ballistic nylon. Ripstop nylon refers to a high denier fabric woven in a crosshatch pattern that prevents a tear from spreading. Ballistic nylon refers to a thick and very tough synthetic fabric originally designed for military jackets to protect from shell fragments and debris.

Lastly, be sure the leg straps or tail cord on the blanket are secured appropriately. These features help keep the blanket in place. If not secured properly, the blanket can shift and become entangled, trodden, or torn.