Winter Horse Blankets

Horse Turnout Blanket

Horses are naturally born to run around and although domesticated, they still have the instinct to explore. So during the cold season active horses might need some extra protection like horse turnout blanket. Although there are different factors to consider before buying such a blanket, factors like horse breed, average time spend outside and weather conditions or to know if your horse really needs a horse blanket at all. We shall discuss these factors plus what particular features of horse turnout blanket will benefit your equines, how much you need to spend and where and how can you find the perfect sheet.

Horses are not created equal, there are breeds that can protect and keep themselves warm during cold season while there are other breeds that cannot adopt well in cold environment and needed extra protection. In the same manner, there are horses that are active all year round while there are those that semi-hibernate and stay stable during winter season. These characteristics help in determining whether your equines need extra warmth from turnout blankets or not.

Protect Your Horse with Horse Turnout Blanket

Knowing and understanding your horses is the best way to protect them. That means knowing their body chemistry and activities. If your horses spend most of their times outside, running or playing around even at extreme low temperatures or heavy rainfall, you might want to consider buying a horse turnout blanket. Turnout blankets are especially made to protect and warmth active horses while letting their skin breathe.

They are durable and specifically designed for maneuverability. They are made with rip-stop fabrics and usually have water proof outer layer. Most horse turnout blankets come with tail guard and neck guard to protect the tail and the neck of your equines from the wind and weather.

And since a horse turnout blanket is designed for maneuverability, it can withstand common wear and tear, and it will stay in place as your horse plays, runs and rolls. For that reason such a horse blanket has surcingle and straps to make sure it won’t slip, and its linings is made of materials durable enough to prevent it from ripping yet comfortable enough not to cause irritation and abrasion to the horse.

To protect the shoulder, manufacturers add up shoulder gussets to alleviate pressure while giving it enough room to move and avoid bald spots.

There are different manufacturers and retailers of turnout blankets and you can find them online or in specialty store near you. Popular brands are Rambo, Weatherbeeta and Rhino. Those brands provide high quality and world class designs although they command higher prices you will be getting your money’s worth.

Choosing the best Horse Turnout Blanket

Horse turnout blankets can cost as low as $70 to as high as $400. The recommendation is not to base your buying decision on the price or brand of the horse blankets but rather on what your horses need and which blankets will protect them best.

Saying that you must remember to measure up your equines so, you will get the perfect fit for your horse. Take your measuring tape and a friend to help you. Start measuring from the chest all the way back to the tail. Make sure that you get the exact measurement of your horse for tight fitting blankets can cause irritation and abrasion while loose fitting blankets can slip out and cause tangling and accidents.

Finally, when you already bought turnout blanket for your horse, make sure that you clean and wash them often. And never share blankets to avoid skin diseases and contamination. Plus, always check your horses; blankets can cause your equines to sweat so watch out for your horses can get sick if you let their sweats dry out. Remember, responsible ownership doesn’t end on providing food and shelter but proper care, love and protection are also a must.

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