A blanket is a large piece of thick cloth used to keep warm on beds or other places where one sleeps, typically in order to stay toasty warm during sleep. Some blankets feature special coatings which make them waterproof.
Before they can be blanketed, horses must first be completely dry. Exercise, sweating or bathing, it may take them up to an hour or more for their bodies to fully recover from becoming wet and fully dry out before being covered again.
Breathable Blankets
A breathable blanket can help your horse stay warm even on wet days, providing him with some relief. Made from materials such as wool or polar fleece, its interior creates an air pocket around him that’s heated by his body heat – drawing moisture away so it evaporates more efficiently.
The waterproof outer layer of blankets typically comprises materials like poly-cotton or nylon and may come in various denier deniers (the measure of how tightly fibers are packed together). A higher denier can indicate stronger and more resilient blankets.
Blankets come in multiple sizes to fit horses of all ages from foals to adults, providing additional warmth for cold, windy or rainy weather conditions. You can wear one under a stable sheet or girth as an additional layer of warmth for maximum effectiveness.
Some blankets feature multiple features to improve their versatility and ease of use, including hoods that cover the top of the head or tail flaps to ward off cold winds, leg straps that cross over belly/back legs and prevent riders from riding up/shifting, padded withers to reduce rubbing/scuffing as they move, leg straps that prevent riding up and shifting while moving, leg straps that cross criss-crossed under belly/back legs for stability, or features such as leg straps criss cross over belly/back legs criss cross leg straps that prevent ride up/shifting while moving and leg straps that cross over belly/back legs to stay put.
Create your own breathable blanket using an old blanket sleeve and some hay or straw. When placed under the blanket, this layer allows steam to escape while not seeping through into your horse’s skin and becoming wet or chilled, which could leave him more susceptible to rain rot and other conditions.
If you don’t have the budget for professional laundry service to wash your horse’s blankets, there are alternatives available. Re-waterproofing products can be found at outdoor and equine stores as well as online. While specific blanket-reproofing products exist, many are designed for sheet and girth use as well. Before re-waterproofing any blankets for your horse however, check with their manufacturer first as this could invalidate warranties.
Coolers
There are blankets designed with moisture-wicking liners to help a wet horse stay warm and dry, creating an extra layer of air between their skin and outer fabric. You may wish to consider adding handfuls of hay or straw beneath their cooler to further draw water droplets to evaporate more readily; this method may work better when turned out alone as horses could nibble at each other’s feed and become even wetter than before!
A blanket with breathable material and heavy fill is an ideal winter solution, as it will keep your horse warm and dry until their coat dries completely. To determine whether your blanket is breathable enough for winter riding conditions, blow air through it; if the breeze passes through easily then chances are high your horse will feel comfortable and dry in it.
After-market waterproofing products may be available to spray on or wash into blanket fabrics to make them waterproof, however this should only be done if it fits well for your horse – otherwise discomfort and reduced chances of REM sleep may ensue. Conversely, too large a blanket could endanger their safety if caught up by straps or material and cause them to get caught up.
Horses are typically well equipped to fend off cold weather without needing blankets, so it’s usually best not to remove their natural layers of protection unless absolutely necessary. Horses with medical conditions that impede their ability to self-regulate internal temperatures, or those ill or underweight are particularly suited for blanketing in cold weather.
Healthy horses of good weight typically do just fine in cold-weather conditions without blankets as long as they have access to clean drinking water and quality hay. Wild horses have an inbuilt moisture wicking system within their hair coats that pushes moisture out to the tips of hairs, where it evaporates into the air.
Thatching
There are various strategies you can employ when trying to quickly dry off a horse after bathing them, from thatching (placing straw under their blanket to help the water evaporate more easily), or mesh cooler rugs which provide ample air flow while simultaneously helping prevent chills post bath.
Fleece rugs can also be an effective choice, particularly if you choose one with thick and bonded fleece material. Although these may cost more, their added moisture-wicking ability makes up for it in terms of keeping moisture at bay from your horse’s skin, while keeping bits of hay, straw or shavings from getting trapped within. However, they do collect dirt which may cause itching or rub marks to appear later.
Jersey Cooler Rugs can be an effective winter solution if your horse is clipped, especially during harsher months and when its outer fabric doesn’t collect bits of hay or straw like other fleece options do. Plus, their design looks smarter than standard blankets while serving their purpose just as effectively.
If your horse has become wet but there is no breathable rug available, a waterproof exercise sheet may provide enough shelter against rain to allow them to dry off safely in their stable or field. Although not as warm, waterproof exercise sheets will keep the rain at bay while providing them with enough time and warmth in which to recover.
As much as possible, try not to leave your horse outside in wet or rainy conditions for too long. Not only is this stressful and uncomfortable for your horse, but becoming saturated could cause rain rot as the excess water becomes trapped under their hair and cannot evaporate off, stripping away natural oils from their skin leaving them vulnerable to infection. A better solution would be using either a wet weather blanket or 100g turnout and keeping a spare rug for just in case the current one becomes saturated through.
Other Options
Just as it’s important for humans to wear various layers in different temperatures, horses need various outerwear options too. Blankets are an easy choice; there are various kinds to consider depending on temperature and waterproofing needs. When making this selection decision, consider its warmth level as well as waterproof protection capabilities (or lack thereof).
An effective blanket solution for wet horses is a breathable one, as this will keep moisture away from their skin and enable its natural drying process. A breathable blanket also prevents sweating which could make the animal colder or increase risk of skin infection.
Blankets come in various weights, making it important to select one suitable for your horse. A blanket that’s too heavy will prevent its hair coat from lying flat and providing insulation; on the other hand, one that’s too light might provide less warmth than what nature provides and may not prevent frostbite as effectively.
Finding the correct size blanket is equally crucial. Blankets that are too small will cause discomfort to the horse while blankets that are too large may result in rub marks. A good rule of thumb for choosing an appropriate size blanket would be being able to stick your hand under near its withers – if this cannot be accomplished then the blanket is too small.
Consider both the material and lining when purchasing a blanket for your horse. A breathable material will keep your equine warm and dry, while nylon lining prevents the blanket from adhering to their wet coat, which could result in buildups of water that lead to fungal or bacterial growth.
Once the weather cools down, you can begin removing blankets. Be sure to first check temperature and wind chill levels as this could impact how thick or light a blanket should be used; if shivering indicates need for additional warmth; thicken accordingly; sweating indicates too much heat so consider removing or using lighter options instead. A lighter blanket is often best in spring as many horses will shed their winter coat before needing another covering again.