Horse Blankets and Their Use

By Caryn A. Tate

I’m assuming that many people debate over whether or not they should use a horse blanket during the cold and/or wet winter months. The reason I’m assuming this is because I used to debate over it, too, sometimes feeling cruel when it was cold and I’d look out the window and see my horse out there in the midst of it; other times I felt that perhaps I was pampering my horse too much and she was so much tougher than I gave her credit for.

But what is the correct procedure for putting a blanket on your horse or not? Well, it’s not always black and white, but here’s my view on blankets and their use.

Basically it depends on what you want from your horse and what you use him for. If he’s a show horse, you most definitely want to use blankets in the winter (or even at cooler times throughout the rest of the year). This is because if you plan on showing your horse, no matter what types of classes you’re going to have him in, he has to have that show horse look—and that includes gloss. Show horses should always have their short “summer” hair.

If, however, your horse is a cow horse, the use of a blanket is somewhat more dependent on your horse himself. Is he in poor health? Is he older? The use of a critical eye is also key here; take a good look at your horse and see how he acts in colder weather. Usually you can tell fairly obviously if a horse is cold; they tend to shiver, just like people, and of course seek out shelter. But if you’re still not sure, err on the side of caution and get a nice wool-lined blanket for your horse. It can never hurt.

Also take into consideration whether or not it is wet outside. If it is, there are plenty of good waterproof blankets out there, and in the summer, there are good waterproof or –resistant liners or sheets. Liners and sheets are lighter than a typical blanket, and it makes them good for summer months. If you’re on a tight budget or simply want an all-inclusive sort of blanket or sheet, again I recommend you err on the side of caution and get a waterproof blanket. That way if it does happen to rain or snow, you know your horse won’t feel it.

Try going into a tack store and looking through the blankets they have there. Very often it’s useful to actually feel the fabric of blankets and see how they’re made; it makes it more simple to pick out the kind you want for your horse. As usual, please e-mail me or make posts on the discussion boards if you have questions, comments, or opinions!

About the Author:

I have lived around and worked with horses my entire life, and learned how to ride when I was a small child. Riding and training horses are great loves of mine, and I enjoy helping other people overcome training issues with their horses. I love working with horses and developing relationships with them, as well as talking about them with other people who are as passionate about the subject as I am.

Caryn may be contacted by email at  scribe_79@yahoo.com.

Article courtesy of Suite101.com.