As temperatures drop at Texas Equine, our focus shifts to ensuring our horses stay warm and comfortable throughout the winter months. Just like people layer up with coats, scarves, and hats when it gets cold, horses often need their own special gear to protect them from the chill. However, not all horse clothing is the same, and choosing the right type of blanket, sheet, or hood can depend on various factors, such as weather conditions, your horse's activity level, coat type, body condition, and age.
In this blog, we'll explore the different types of horse coverings, including blankets, sheets, slinkies, and hoods. We’ll also discuss when to use each type, how to measure for the right fit, and cost considerations. With the right knowledge, you can make sure your horse stays warm and healthy during the winter.
Types of Horse Clothing for Cold Weather
Turnout Blankets
Purpose: Turnout blankets are designed to keep your horse warm while they are outside in cold or wet conditions. They are waterproof and provide insulation against the elements.
When to use: Ideal for horses turned out in pastures or paddocks during cold, wet, or snowy weather. These blankets offer warmth and protection from rain or snow, preventing your horse from becoming chilled.
Varieties: They come in various weights—lightweight, medium, and heavyweight—depending on how much warmth your horse needs. A heavyweight blanket offers the most insulation, while lightweight options are great for milder cold.
Cost: Typically ranges from $100 to $300, depending on the brand and quality of the materials.
Stable Blankets
Purpose: Designed for indoor use, stable blankets provide warmth for horses kept in stalls. They are not waterproof, so they should only be used indoors or when your horse is not exposed to wet conditions.
When to use: Best for horses that spend the night or most of the day in a stall, particularly in barns that aren’t heated.
Varieties: Similar to turnout blankets, stable blankets come in different weights for varying levels of warmth.
Cost: Ranges from $80 to $200, with higher-end options offering more advanced materials for durability and comfort.
Sheets
Purpose: Sheets are lighter coverings designed primarily to protect horses from wind and mild chill, but without the heavy insulation of a blanket. Many are waterproof, and some are breathable.
When to use: Perfect for warmer fall or spring days when there’s a breeze or rain, but the temperature isn’t cold enough to justify a heavy blanket. Some owners also use sheets to keep horses clean before events.
Cost: Prices vary from $40 to $150, depending on whether the sheet is waterproof, lined, or reinforced for durability.
Slinkies (Stretchy Lycra Covers)
Purpose: Slinkies are stretchy, form-fitting covers made from Lycra or spandex. They help keep the horse’s coat clean and smooth and are often used before shows to keep the horse’s mane and coat in pristine condition.
When to use: Slinkies are typically used under blankets or overnight before an event to keep the horse clean. They are not for warmth but help keep dust, shavings, and dirt off the horse.
Cost: These typically cost $30 to $70, depending on the style and coverage.
Hoods
Purpose: Hoods cover the horse’s neck and head, providing additional warmth in cold weather or keeping the mane clean and tangle-free.
When to use: Ideal for horses clipped for winter or when extra protection from the elements is needed. Hoods can be attached to a turnout or stable blanket or used as part of a full slinky set.
Cost: Prices for hoods vary from $25 to $100, depending on the material and level of coverage.
Coolers and Anti-Sweat Sheets
Purpose: Coolers are used to help your horse cool down after exercise without getting chilled. They wick moisture away from the horse’s body and allow them to dry off slowly after a workout.
When to use: Essential after riding in colder weather to prevent your horse from becoming chilled as their body temperature lowers. They also help dry a wet horse after bathing.
Cost: Coolers range from $50 to $150.
Body Condition and Blanketing
A horse's body condition plays a critical role in determining the type of covering they need. Horses that are underweight or have a poor body condition score (BCS) may have less fat insulation, making them more susceptible to the cold. In these cases, using heavier blankets or layering sheets and blankets can help retain body heat. Conversely, horses in good body condition or who are overweight may not require as much insulation, and a lighter blanket or sheet may suffice.
How to assess body condition:
Lean horses: If your horse is thin or has recently lost weight, they are at greater risk of cold stress and will benefit from additional warmth, such as a medium to heavyweight blanket.
Average body condition: Horses in good condition with a healthy layer of fat may only need a lightweight or medium blanket, depending on the temperature and weather conditions.
Blanketing is essential to help thin horses maintain their weight in cold weather, as they may burn extra calories to stay warm. It’s always important to monitor your horse’s body condition throughout the winter and adjust their blankets accordingly.
Age and Blanketing
Age also affects how well a horse can tolerate the cold. Older horses, especially those over 20 years, may have a harder time regulating their body temperature and maintaining weight during winter. Horses in their senior years often benefit from additional warmth, particularly on colder nights or in inclement weather. Older horses may have slower metabolism, reduced muscle mass, and thinner coats, which means they lose heat more quickly than younger, more active horses.
Younger horses or healthy adults with good muscle tone and winter coats may not need as heavy a blanket, but it’s still crucial to monitor them during temperature fluctuations.
When to Use Which Type of Covering
Choosing the right type of covering depends on several factors, including weather conditions, coat type, activity level, body condition, and age.
Weather conditions: For rain or snow, a waterproof turnout blanket or sheet is necessary. On drier but chilly days, a stable blanket might be sufficient for horses kept indoors.
Horse’s coat: Clipped horses often need more layers of protection, as their natural hair has been removed. Unclipped horses with thicker winter coats may only need lighter blankets or sheets to block the wind.
Horse’s activity level: Horses that are more active and generate more body heat may need lighter coverings compared to more sedentary horses.
Body condition: Thin horses or those that struggle to keep weight on will benefit from heavier blankets. Horses with ample fat stores may not need as much insulation.
Age: Older horses often require additional warmth, while younger horses in good health might only need lighter coverings.
Measuring Your Horse for a Proper Fit
Getting the right fit is essential for your horse’s comfort and safety. An ill-fitting blanket can cause rubbing, discomfort, or even restrict movement. Here’s how to measure your horse for a blanket:
Use a flexible measuring tape: Start at the center of the horse’s chest and run the tape along the side of their body, following the contour of their barrel.
Measure to the tail: End the measurement at the point where the tail meets the body. This number, in inches, will give you the blanket size you need.
Check the fit: A properly fitted blanket should cover the horse’s body without slipping or pulling. It should allow enough room for the horse to move comfortably but not be so loose that it shifts.
Cost Considerations
As mentioned, the cost of horse blankets, sheets, and other clothing varies based on materials, durability, brand, and specific features like waterproofing or insulation. Investing in a high-quality blanket can save money in the long run, as it will last longer and provide better protection.
Budget blankets: $40-$100, typically lighter or less durable but suitable for mild conditions.
Mid-range: $100-$200, offering more features like waterproofing, breathability, and longer-lasting materials.
Premium blankets: $200-$400, built for durability and severe weather conditions, often with added features for comfort and performance.
Conclusion
At Texas Equine, blanketing our horses as the weather cools down is an essential part of their winter care routine. Whether it’s a turnout blanket for the pasture or a stable blanket for indoors, using the right type of covering based on factors like body condition and age will keep your horse warm, healthy, and comfortable. With the variety of options available, it’s important to assess your horse’s needs and ensure a proper fit.
Stay cozy, and don’t hesitate to contact us for any questions about keeping your horses comfortable in the winter!
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