It can be quite difficult for riders to find the right time to put on the blanket on their horses. Either it is too hot, and your horse will be very sweaty, or it is suddenly so cold that your horse is freezing. No matter what, you are basically always behind when it comes to blankets, and when to find it from the bottom of your cabin. However, it can also be complicated to decide for the right blanket size or texture for your horse. Either it is too small or too big, too thin or too thick. However, do not worry. In this article we support you with an easy guide on how to find the perfect blanket for your horse.

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Use a simple measuring tape

There exist several different sizes of blankets, and it can create discomfort for the horse if the blanket does not fit proper. If the blanket is too small marks can appear on the horses’ front. If the blanket is too big it will not provide the correct heating, and easily be destroyed when the horse is turning in the mud or plays with the other horses on the field.

To make sure that the horse ends up with the correct size, you need to find your measuring tape and measure from the horses’ mane and bag to the beginning of the tail. Table one   provides you with an easy overview of the sizes.

75

85

95

100

100

105

115

125

135

145

155

165

Depth of the seating (cm)

Total length of the horse from upper part of the mane to tail (cm)

Length of the bag of the horse (cm)

Pony

Small horse

Medium horse

Large horse

Extra large horse

Extra extra large horse

165

175

185

195

205

215

The measurements are only guidelines. You should always consider that horses vary in height and with.

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The correct blanket for changing weather

You probably often worry, when you decide it is time for your horse to wear the blanket again. The first thing you want to do as soon as the weather is changing is to rush home from work and drive to your horse to make sure it is neither too cold or too hot. 

It is difficult to predict the weather changes, and therefore is it also important that you have different blankets for all kinds of weather or temperatures. It can be a winter blanket, one for the summer as protection from insects, an autumn blanket and one for very rainy days. 

If you have a trimmed horse 

To avoid all worries you might have, and preventing you from looking at the weather channel all the time, you can use this guide: 

Turnout blanket for rainy days

Blanket with a small amount of filling

Blanket with a huge amount of filling

Between 0 and 5 degrees (Celsius) 

Between –5 and 0 degrees (Celsius)

Lower than –5 degrees (Celsius)

Between 5 and 10 degrees (Celsius)

Between 0 and 5 degrees (Celsius)

Lower than 0 degrees (Celsius)

A trimmed horse

A non-trimmed horse

The numbers and designations are guidelines. For more knowledge on the topic, we recommend that you seek more information at the different stores selling horse sheets. 

Advantages and disadvantages of sheets

Several horses are doing fine without being covered by a blanket. It is more about what the rider prefers – if he or she enjoys spending hours cleaning the horse during winter time or not. Some horse owners believe it is not right to interfere with the horses’ natural change of coat while others need the blankets either if the horse is old and has trouble staying healthy or in terms of competition. As you probably already know, it is not very easy riding top dressage or showjumping if the horse is covered in its winter coat. Therefore it is up to you to know your needs when it comes to your horse. 

Sources: MS Rideudstyr, Happy Horse, Horze, Lundemøllen

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