Choosing a horse blanket based on temperature

Why temperature is the starting point

Many horse owners choose a blanket by feel or habit, but the outdoor temperature is the most reliable guide. A healthy, unclipped horse with a full winter coat already has its own insulation at 5°C that is comparable to a light blanket of 100 grams. Only when the mercury drops to around zero or below, or when your horse is clipped or older, is extra fill truly needed. Also take wind chill into account: a strong easterly wind at 3°C can feel like -5°C for a horse. Always check the weather forecast for the feels-like temperature, not just the degrees on the thermometer.

Blanket fill weight per temperature zone

Use the overview below as a practical guide for a healthy, unclipped horse kept outdoors. Clipped or sick horses need one category higher.

• Above 15°C: no blanket; a fly sheet in summer if needed
• 10–15°C: no blanket or at most a light fleece (0–100 g) in rain and wind
• 5–10°C: light blanket 100–200 g, especially in changeable autumn weather
• 0–5°C: medium-weight blanket 200–300 g; watch out for wind chill
• Below 0°C: heavy stable blanket or outdoor blanket 300–400 g; combine with stabling during frost

Outdoor vs. stable blanket: what is the difference?

An outdoor blanket has a waterproof outer layer of polyester or nylon that keeps out rain and wind. A stable blanket is softer, not waterproof, and fits more comfortably for a horse spending the night in a stall. Never use a wet outdoor blanket in the stable: the insulation then works in reverse and your horse will actually cool down. If you have a horse that is kept both indoors and outdoors, consider a combination blanket with a detachable neck cover, so that one purchase covers both situations.

Additional factors beyond temperature

• Body condition score: a lean horse (score 3 or lower) always needs an extra layer
• Age: horses over 18 years regulate heat less efficiently
• Clipped or not: a fully clipped horse already needs a 200 g blanket at 10°C
• Activity level: a horse on an intensive training programme has more muscle mass and heat production
• Shelter in the field: trees or a field shelter significantly reduce the wind chill factor

Tracking blanket changes with EquiSight

In the EquiSight horse dossier you can record, per horse, which blanket was put on and when, including the reason. That may sound like a minor detail, but if you notice in November that your horse is losing weight, it is extremely useful to look back and see whether there was a period without a blanket during low temperatures. Combine this with notes from your vet or farrier and you have a complete picture. EquiCoach can also remind you at the start of a cold spell to check the blanket cupboard and verify your blanket's fit, because a poorly fitting blanket with pressure points on the withers is just as harmful as no blanket at all.

Size and fit: how to measure correctly

A blanket that slips or pinches causes rub sores and pressure points. Always measure your horse from the centre of the chest to the centre of the tail base along the side. The result in centimetres is your blanket length. Sizes typically range from 115 to 165 cm in steps of 5 cm. After putting the blanket on, check that you can slide two fingers flat between the neck opening and the withers, and that the blanket is not pulling over the tailbone.