How to Choose the Best Winter Horse Blanket - Ride Every Stride

1. How to Choose the Best Winter Horse Blanket by - Ride Every Stride

2. How to Choose the Best Winter Horse Blanket From growing a thick winter coat to producing heat as they digest forage, horses are inherently designed to cope with cold weather. Horses can spend their days roaming outside even during the cold season, they are naturally equipped to keep themselves warm when the temperatures start cooling down. Here, we'll take a look at what your horse does to stay warm, and why that may not always be enough. As days get shorter and nights to become cooler, horses grow a new, longer hair coat. These winter hairs stand up, trapping tiny air pockets between them. The effect is like that of a thick, down-filled comforter, with tremendous insulating quality. The horse that spends winters outside needs a full mane and tail. Standing with his rear to the wind, his tail protects his delicate underparts, and he can lower his head so it's protected from the wind by the rest of his body. Deciding to use a horse blanket for your horse depends on five factors: his coat, his living situation, his digestive health and age, his body condition, and the lowest temperature at which he can keep himself warm.

3. Why would a horse need to be blanketed? Horses are blanketed for many reasons. They include: • Keeping the horse dry • Keeping the clipped horse warm • Keeping the horse clean • Reducing grooming time • Allowing the horse to work in the winter and dry faster by keeping his winter coat lighter. • Keeping the hair growth of an unclipped horse to a minimum • The horse is elderly or sick and requires more help to keep warm. • To reduce bleaching of the coat during the summer months. • To keep the horse's coat appearance "show ready"

4. Horse blankets for winter are also used during icy and snowy weather to keep outside horses clean and dry, and ready for riding. For horses living in very cold places blankets can provide added warmth when needed, especially when the shelter is not available. Additionally, when a horse is moved from a warm climate to a much cooler climate, a blanket can help the horse become acclimated to the new environment. Turnout Blankets Turnout blankets provide warmth and protection from rain to the horse while outside. They come in a variety of weights and fills, and should be waterproof. Turnout blankets come in a variety of weights, fills, and materials. When purchasing a blanket make sure that you match the intended usage with the blanket that fits your horse's needs. Winter blanket outer layers are measured in "denier", essentially the higher the denier count the higher the thread weave and the durability of the material. Blanket "fills" are the material in the blanket that adds warmth. Medium weight blankets have up to 200 grams of fill, while heavyweight blankets will have up to 420 grams of fill.

5. Stable Blankets Stable blankets can keep your horse warm while they are in their stall. If you live in a cold climate and do not have a heated stall, these products are essential. Stable blankets are filled, like the comforter on your bed. They come in a range of weights, offering different levels of warmth. Because the exterior material is not waterproof, stable blankets are used when the horse is in the stall. For waterproof protection, some owners will layer a turnout sheet over their horse's stable blanket when the horse is outside. Rain, Quarter & Fly Sheets Rain sheets are used to protect the horse and tack from rain. They can be unlined or lined. A lined rain sheet will also keep your horse warmer. They're great for horse shows or stables where the indoor are not attached to the barn. Traditional rain sheets cover the horse from the poll to the top of the tail, however, they're not very secure and therefore not recommended for use in turnout.

6. Fly sheets are designed to protect your horse from pesky bugs, are lightweight, breathable, and durable enough to withstand turnout. Some fly sheets offer UV protection, while others may be treated with insect repellants for extra bug-blocking power. Quarter sheets are usually made of fleece or wool, quarter sheets are designed to cover your horse's hindquarters and wrap up under the saddle flaps or over your legs when you're riding. They also provide protection from the rain while riding. Some even have "keyhole" flaps that can cover the horse's legs as well. Quarter sheets can be made of fleece or wool or any other similar material. Custom Horse Blankets Ride Every Stride Inc. is pleased to offer a line of custom horse blankets. All of our blankets are handcrafted using the very best materials on the market taking the extra care right down to the smallest detail. From the selection of the fabrics to the leather and buckle, we strive to make the end result is a beautiful product you'll be proud to use for years to come. Choose from a wide variety of colors, fabrics, trims, and piping to create a custom look

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