10/26/2023
It's that time of year where the weather is getting colder and people start to dress warmer. This always poses the question, should I blanket my horse? The short answer is, it depends! Ask yourself these five questions:
1.) What does my horses coat look like?
Shorter days trigger horses to grow longer, coarser winter coats. When it gets cold, the hairs stand on end to trap warm air close to the body, insulating the horse from the cold. How amazing is that?! Horses with a full fluffy winter coat are likely to be okay without a blanket in dryer climates. Horses that are clipped or have sleek thin coats will likely need a blanket in order to help keep themselves toasty.
2.) What is my horses living situation?
Access to shelter can help horses manage when weather is less than ideal. Horses that are either stalled, have access to stalls or other permanent shelters may be fine with just their fluffy winter coat, as they have the ability to stay dry and out of the weather. Horses that aren't able to fully escape from the elements could benefit from having a waterproof sheet or blanket to keep warm and dry.
3.) Is my horses age a factor?
As horses age, they become less effective in many body systems such as digestion and immunity. The ability thermoregulate, is also one of these systems that struggles a little more. One way to help senior horses retain body heat is through blanketing, making sure to utilize the correct fill or weight of blanket so overheating does not become an issue.
4.) What is my horses body condition?
Body condition, or the measure of overall fat cover, impacts how easily a horse can regulate their temperature. Horses with plenty of fat, are more likely to be fine without a blanket or with a waterproof sheet to help keep them dry. Naturally thin horses often burn extra calories just trying to keep themselves toasty, so giving them a blanket could be a smart choice to help them keep those calories on while keeping them warm!
5.) What's the temperature and weather looking like?
As the temperature fluctuates, so does the need for a blanket and the weight of the blanket. Under the "clipped" section, this applies to horses that have poor body condition and/or poor coats, are older, or need additional help during the winter time. The attached picture show cases different temperatures and an overall guide to how heavy the blanket should be. A sheet should have 0 grams of fill, a light blanket is typically around 100 grams of filling, a light/medium blanket can range anywhere from 150 grams to 250 grams of filling, a medium/heavy blanket can range anywhere from 200 grams to 300 grams of filling, and a heavy weight blanket can range anywhere from 300 grams to 400 grams of filling.
As always, if you have any questions on what your horse needs in order to be successful this winter, don't hesitate to reach out!
