Soggy blankets can create an air barrier, restricting circulation and keeping moisture from dissipating. If you have a breathable blanket (such as wool, cotton or polar fleece) make use of it over your horse to help dissipate moisture quickly.
Be careful when blanketing a wet horse too quickly – too soon could cause additional sweating before drying can take place. A warm blanket could cause them to start sweating again before drying can happen properly.
1. Keep the Horse Dry
When horses become cold and wet, blanketing them may seem like the only solution – however if their blanket becomes wet itself or doesn’t allow enough ventilation, this can actually exacerbate their condition further. Here’s how you can prevent this from happening so your horse is back to feeling dry and cozy again.
As part of your horse care routine, first check that his blanket is breathable. Otherwise, he might sweat profusely under it and become chilled; blankets with breathable linings allow body heat to escape more freely, creating airflow to dry his coat faster. Some blankets feature cotton or wool fibers for breathability while others can be designed specifically to withstand wet environments such as anti-sweat sheets or waffle weave coolers.
Before blanketing your horse, use a wet towel to absorb some of the excess moisture before blanketing them. A sweat scraper or squeegee is another effective method of relieving excess water before it reaches his skin; particularly useful in relieving leg and other bony areas of his body.
If your horse has an affinity for chewing their blankets or ripping them off when wet, it is crucial to monitor this closely and see if there is a rash, infection or other issue lurking under there that needs addressing. Anti-chewing products might also be worth investigating as possible solutions.
Once your horse is dry and ready for his blanket, make sure that you use one that allows moisture wicking – such as fleece or wool cooler – which wicks away from him, while his own body heat heats the outer surface of the blanket to allow safe evaporation of water from his coat and keeps your horse comfortable until his coat has completely dried out. After this point a heavier blanket can be put over him to stay warm.
2. Keep the Blanket Breathable
Blankets are constructed from breathable materials for a reason – otherwise your horse could overheat and sweat excessively, leading to overheating and discomfort. A towel may come in handy to wipe away as much wetness from their coat before blanketing – this will provide greater comfort as he waits for his coat to completely dry out.
An additional option for wet horses is using a specially designed blanket known as a cooler. Coolers feature a breathable inner liner and special ventilation panels in front and back to keep your horse dry while remaining warm and comfortable. They come in various weight options and can be used both on wet horses as well as dry ones.
Your local tack store or online may sell blankets with breathable inner liners, while waterproofing spray or wash-in products can help ensure the blanket remains breathable over time. To maximize breathability and ensure you have maximum control of ventilation levels on your horse’s blanket.
To determine whether a blanket is breathable, simply blow air through it – if this process goes smoothly then the blanket is likely breathable. In addition, check its denier count; this measures fabric strength. A higher denier rating signifies stronger and more water-resistant material – higher deniers means stronger blankets!
Blankets come in various weights depending on your climate and weather conditions. If it’s warm and dry outside, for instance, then only a light stable blanket will do; but in cold and wet environments he might require something heavier – possibly an turnout blanket or turnout rug.
As with clothing, selecting a blanket that fits well will also benefit your horse. A blanket that is too loose may come loose and catch on objects, rubbing against his legs causing abrasions and making him uncomfortable; on the other hand, choosing one too tight could pose problems including rubbing against their shoulders and chests.
3. Keep the Horse Warm
Many horse owners blanket their horses simply for peace of mind and convenience, though blankets may be essential for some older horses or those with thin winter coats. A blanket may help trap warm air closer to a horse and keep it cozy during cold weather – keeping the horse comfortable, while wind could otherwise blow it away, leaving him/her cold and uncomfortable.
As such, it’s imperative to use a breathable blanket when providing your horse with shelter from the elements. A regular blanket would absorb the moisture produced from a wet horse and react when exposed to colder air; making them feel even chillier than before they had the blanket on! For best results, always remove their blanket before they sweat or become overly damp underneath it – something breathable blankets prevent.
If your horse seems too cold, consider using a hooded blanket as well as the standard stable blanket or sheet. Crafted of similar material as stable blankets, hoods can add additional warmth around their heads while some feature padded withers to reduce rubbing. Hoods are especially helpful during windy weather when fur alone may not provide enough warmth.
As with most products, blanket selection should focus on warmth and waterproofing – with lighter blankets having no fill and heavier ones having from 150 to 225g of stuffing respectively. Denier is another key consideration, with higher denier fabrics typically providing greater water-resistance than lower denier materials.
When purchasing a blanket for your horse, be sure to select an appropriate size. Too large can be equally harmful; the blanket may ride up and rub against their legs, causing cold or damp conditions inside their saddle area. When measuring for blanket sizing on horses, be sure to measure from the middle chest to tail center – this measurement should ensure optimal results.
4. Keep the Horse Safe
Protecting a wet horse with blankets is a good idea, but be careful which blanket you choose and for how long.
Wool blankets can provide excellent warmth for wet horses while the moisture dries off, especially in extremely cold climates when their body heat helps prevent skin freezing and freezing of skin tissues.
Be sure your horse blanket is breathable. One way of doing this is slipping your hand underneath to feel how hot the fabric feels on your hand; if too tight or non-breathable blankets fail to meet this standard, they will likely not provide adequate insulation and should be switched for another option, or at least left for warmer weather until their coat grows sufficiently to decrease condensation levels.
Ideally, turnout blankets should not be put on wet horses since this will trap moisture and further dampen them down. With heavy blankets like winter ones however, it should be alright; just check frequently for signs of sweating or dripping from sweat glands on the horse’s body or sweat stains in the blanket itself. In case it rains heavily before covering him up it might also be wise to apply waterproofing products to his fur and hair before covering him up!
The key to keeping a horse healthy and warm in winter months is checking them frequently. A wet horse can quickly become very cold when temperatures vary greatly; using either a brush or squeegee may help remove some sweat, but you must check on him and remove his blanket as soon as he dries – no matter the time of day!
People don’t like allowing their horses outside in wet weather, so blankets are used to shield them from the elements. Unfortunately, this practice is not recommended when dealing with older or unwell horses who may be more vulnerable to hypothermia than healthy, active horses.