Horse blankets

Horse blanket YES or NO?

Sooner or later every horse owner will probably ask themselves this question - does my horse have to wear a blanket and if so, which blanket is the right one for my horse/pony?

Various criteria play a role when choosing the right horse blanket. The blanket must be appropriate for the prevailing temperatures and adapted to the living conditions of the horse/pony. In addition, a non-shorn horse has different needs than a clipped horse. How warm, cold or windy it is in the box also plays a decisive role when choosing a horse blanket.

There is an enormous selection of different horse blankets on the market. To keep an overview here or Deciding on the “right” blanket is anything but easy. You can find out more about horse blankets in our blog post.

Which horse blankets are there and what are they used for?

Winter blankets

protect the horse from cold and frost in winter
strong, tear-resistant outer material that is windproof and waterproof
Inner lining of the blankets is available in different gram counts
relieves back problems, joint pain and muscle tension

Stable blankets

universally applicable
warm & protect against dirt
Inner lining of the blankets is available in different gram counts
not moisture-repellent, not rainproof - therefore not suitable for outdoor use

Rain blankets

protect the horse from rain
also keep the horse warm thanks to the soft inner lining
particularly light, waterproof and windproof
Rain blankets are intended for the open stable, paddock or pasture

Sweat blankets

can be used in a variety of ways (tournament, trailer ride, etc. s w)
is often used to warm up the horse in the cold winter months
After work, when the horse has sweated, the blanket helps absorb the sweat and passes it on to the surface of the blanket
at the same time ensures the horse's well-being

Walker ceilings

Thanks to its special shape, it protects the horse's back from moisture and wind in the horse walker without restricting freedom of movement
prevents muscle tension
is also suitable in winter when working on the lunge, on the treadmill or while taking a walk

Fly rugs

keeps flies, mosquitoes, horseflies and other insects away from the horse thanks to the close-meshed processing
protect against UV light
breathable and quick-drying
should be very light and airy so that the horse does not sweat a lot
are available in a variety of designs with a neck section, a belly flap, cross straps, etc. v m
is available for the paddock, the stable, the run, but also for the ride (with an extra saddle cutout)

Transport blankets

protected the horse from drafts and cold when transported in the trailer
Due to the stress of traveling in a trailer, many horses quickly start to sweat, so the transport blanket should have a sweat-off function

Eczema blankets

mostly made of highly breathable polyester fabric
Similar to the fly rug but with even more protection (very close-meshed)
Eczema blanket usually has a belly flap, a large tail flap and a neck part
The lightest possible color of the eczema blanket ensures optimal wearing comfort in particularly strong sunlight

Kidney and riding blankets

keep your kidneys and back warm
are particularly suitable for horseback riding
usually with saddle cutout
also available as a waterproof version

What size does my horse/pony need? - Determine the optimal horse blanket sizes

Determining the correct horse blanket size and thus a perfectly fitting horse blanket is very important for the horse's well-being! Under no circumstances should you compromise when determining the size, because an unsuitable horse blanket can cause, among other things, chafing, hair breakage and, in the worst case, nerve inflammation.

It is an advantage if you can use an existing horse blanket as a guide, but unfortunately this is not a guarantee. ☹

The size of the horse blanket depends on: a according to the measured back length of the horse. (CAUTION: the sizes can still vary from manufacturer to manufacturer and even from model to model) To measure the back length of the horse/pony, simply place a tape measure IN FRONT of the withers and measure the length of the horse/pony's back up to the Tail, more precisely up to the base of the tail. But be careful: this is not the final horse blanket size!

The decisive factor here is NOT only the measured back length, but also the overall cut of the horse blanket in the chest area, neck area, shoulder area, etc. s w

Ultimately, in order to find the perfect blanket, you often simply have to “try on” several blankets because the back length only gives a rough indication of the fit of the blanket.