The Complete Guide to Horse Blanketing

THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO An infographic by HORSE TM Horse DVM BLANKETING Everything you would ever need to know about BLANKETING your horse. MEASURE YOUR HORSE Measure the distance from the center of the horse's chest (Point A) to the point of the buttocks (Point B). Include the widest part of his shoulder and keep the tape measure level. Record this distance in inches. This is your horse's blanket size. 3 OR ESTIMATE (LESS ACCURATE) Horse Height Blanket Size (in hands) U.S. European 11.2 54" 4'6" (137 cm) 12.2 57" 4'9" (145 cm) 13.2 60" 5'0" (152 cm) 14.0 63" 5'3" (160 cm) 14.2 66" 5'6" (168 cm) 15.2 69" - 72" 6'0" (183 cm) -6' 3“ (190 cm) 75" - 78" 78" - 81" 16.0 6'3" (190 cm) - 6'6“ (198 cm) 16.2 6'6" (198 cm) - 6'9“ (206 cm) 17.0 81" - 84" 6'9" (206 cm) - 7'0“ (213 cm) 17.1 84" 7'0" (206 cm) 17.2 87" 7'3" (220 cm) LEARN THE TERMINOLOGY TURNOUT SHEET ANTI-SWEAT SHEET QUARTER SHEET Turnout sheets are lightweight (usually Og - 100g of fill), waterproof, and securely fit the horse. They provide your horse with some degree of protection against environmental elements (wind, rain, snow, hail) while turned out in the pasture. Anti-sweat sheets help keep the horse clean while they cool off after a bath or hard work out. Can be used as an added layer of warmth Quarter sheets are desgned to cover the horse's hindquarters and wrap up under the saddle flaps or over your legs. They are useful for cool mornings while warming up. underneath turnout or stable blankets. TURNOUT BLANKET STABLE BLANKET STABLE SHEET Turnout blankets have an inner layer of fill for warmth, a waterproof outer layer, and has multiple fittings to allow it to stay securely on the horse while they are turned out in the pasture. Many come with a hood or allow for a hood option. Stable blankets provide your horse with warmth during the colder months of the year, worn while they are in their stall; they are not waterproof and do not securely fit the horse. They can be A stable sheet is a lightweight, snug-fitting layer used to keep your horse's coat clean while they are in their stall; they are not waterproof and do not securely fit the horse. They can be used for used for additional insulation underneath turnout additional insulation underneath turnout sheets. sheets. A stable sheet can have a snug fit. FLY SHEET COOLER RAIN SHEET A rain sheet is a waterproof throw-over sheet which fits over on top of riding tack, to protect it and the horse from getting wet. Useful for in between classes at horse shows. Fly sheets are used suring the summer months to provide your horse with some degree of protection against biting insects. Can be used underneath other sheets or blankets as an Coolers are placed on horses after baths or if they are sweating from a hard workout during the winter. Their purpose is to help your horse dry faster whle keeping them from getting too cold. added layer of warmth. PARTS OF A BLANKET Neck styles Waterproof - Means that the blanket or sheet's outer fabric has been treated to repel water. High cut neck Detachable hood Standard neck Tail flap/cover - Provides additional protection from wind and helps keep the blanket sides down during wind gusts. Front closure styles Tail Cord – Ties the back ends of the blanket together and rests under the tail, helping to keep the blanket in place. Snaps Surcingles Buckles Shoulder gussets/darts- Helps alleviate pressure on the horse's shoulders during movement. Elastic Leg Straps - Straps which are found along the rear sides of the blankets, which criss-cross between the horse's back legs. Breathable - The level of Denier (D) - A unit of measurement that Polyfill - Synthetic fibers, as polyester, breathability is determined by how describes the linear mass density of the used as filling or insulating material in blankets which gives them warmth. It is easily air can pass through the fabric. If fabric doesn't breathe well, mold material; a good measure of strength and durability when comparing two deniers of measured in GSM (grams per square and mildew can become a problem. the same material. The higher the number, meter), commonly depicted as 'g' in the the higher the stronger the material. U.S. MATERIAL COMPARISON Ballistic Nylon Polyester Polypropylene Durability UV Resistance $$$$ $$$ Cost Weight Cleaning Machine washable; cant be dry-cleaned Machine Machine washable washable QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER What price range can I realistically afford? New horse blankets range in cost between $60 - $500. How old is the horse? What is their body condition score? Older and/or thinner horses tend to require more warmth than younger horses or horses with How destructive is my horse---or the horses in the pasture my horse goes out with? There are horses which find a way to destroy even the higher body condition scores. Will I need to body clip my horse this so-called 'bulletproof' blankets. Sometimes they get season? help from their pasture mates. There is no point in Horses are often clipped in the winter to prevent spending money on the most expensive blanket that them from getting a chill if their winter coats are is knowingly going to get destroyed promptly. wet after a workout. This is because a horse with a longer coat sweats easier and also takes much longer to dry off. However, a body clipped horse Who will be putting on and taking off the blankets? Will the service cost extra? will require heavier blankets to stay warm. The temperature constantly fluctuates, which requires daily blanket management to ensure the horse doesn't get too hot. When a horse breaks a Will my horse be outside 24/7 or inside a stall in a barn part of the time? If your horse stays inside a stable at night, then you might be able to save some money by purchasing stable blankets (which are cheaper sweat under its blanket, it should be removed or replaced with a lighter blanket. If a horse is shivering, increase the warmth level by switching to a warmer than turnout blankets). However, it is a good idea blanket, or adding a layer underneath or on top. If your horse is at a boarding facility, some places to have at least one waterproof, turnout sheet or blanket for when the horse is turned out. This is charge extra for blanketing. Some blankets are also where the blanketing layering systems can be quicker to put on and take off than others. useful. BLANKETING CHART Coat Type °F °C Horse w/ a FullI Coat Clipped Horse >15° Nothing >60° Nothing or sheet if rain/wind 50 - 60° 10 - 15° Sheet if rain/wind Light blanket (100g) 40 - 50° | 4 - 10° Nothing or light blanket (100g) Light/medium blanket (150-250g) 32 - 40° 0-4° Nothing or light/med blanket (150-250g) Medium/heavy blanket (200-300g) 14 - 32° -10 - 0° Nothing or light/med blanket (150-300g) Medium(200-300g) w/ liner or heavy (300-400g) < 14° < -10° Medium/heavy blanket (300-400g) Heavy (300-500g) w/ liner *The horse's age, general health, body condition score, breed, natural coat thickness, length of time turned out in the pasture, intensity of pasture play, available shelter access, and previous climate exposure are also factors to consider which are not accounted for in the above chart. References http://csu-cvmbs.colostate.edu/vth/Pages/horse-blanketing.aspx http://www.extension.umn.edu/agriculture/horse/care/to-blanket-or-not-to-blanket/ http://www.esc.rutgers.edu/publications/general/FS1081.htm http://animalscience.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2012/04/equine-controlling-hair-length3.pdf http://www.rogersvetservice.com/RVS/Updates_files/Winter%20Horse%20Care.pdf Clayton HM, Kaiser LJ, Nauwelaerts S. Pressure on the horse's withers with three styles of blanket. Veterinary Journal. 2010. Foreman JH, Benson GJ, Foreman MH. Effects of a pre-moistened multilayered breathable fabric in promoting heat loss during recovery after exercise under hot conditions. Equne Veterinary Journal. 2006. TM Horse DVM"