Are Winter Horse Blankets Necessary?

Horse wearing a winter horse blanketIs a winter horse blanket necessary for my horse?  That depends on several factors.  Does your horse have a good thick winter coat?  Do you provide a draft-free dry spot for your horse to protect them from the wind, rain, and cold?

Horses with a good thick winter coat that have a dry, draft-free area, generally don’t need a winter blanket. The exception is if they are young, old, sick, or the temperature falls below freezing.

If your horse is clipped for the show, under lights, is young, old, ill, or has very little winter hair, they will probably need a blanket on those cold nights.

If you decide to blanket your horse, just remember that horses produce a huge amount of body heat in a blanket and they will need to have that blanket removed BEFORE they start to sweat.  Horses can get chilled in a sweaty blanket.   When you remove blankets in the morning make sure to let them air out during the day, especially if the horse has started to sweat.

Arcola Feed has an assortment of horse blankets. Come shop our selection in the store.