To Blanket or Not to Blanket: That is the Question

To Blanket or Not to Blanket: That is the Question

As winter approaches, one of the most common questions I get from my students is, “Should I blanket my horse?” It’s a great question, and one with more layers than a lasagna. The answer? It depends. Let’s break it down into four main factors: the horse's needs, your personal preference, your horse's workload or discipline, and your local climate.

1. The Horse’s Needs

Horses are incredibly adaptable. Nature designed them to handle a wide range of temperatures. (Spoiler alert: They didn’t evolve with Snuggies!) However, just like people, some horses are more sensitive to cold than others. For instance, I once had a mare who, at the first hint of frost, would start shivering like a chihuahua in a snowstorm. Another horse in my barn—also a mare—would get the shakes as soon as the thermometer dipped below 34°F. Neither had a thick winter coat, one being a Selle France and the other a Paint, which made them extra susceptible to cold.

On the flip side, some horses are practically polar bears. A student of mine had a Curly Bashkir with a coat so thick he looked ready to hibernate. But even he got a little more sensitive during deep winter. The key? Listen to your horse. They’ll tell you if they’re uncomfortable. If you notice signs of shivering or huddling, it’s time to step in with a blanket—or maybe just a hug (kidding, they’d prefer the blanket).

2. Personal Preference

Blanketing isn’t just for your horse’s comfort; sometimes, it’s for yours. Want to keep your horse clean and sleek all winter? A blanket can help by preventing mud-caked manes and fluffy coats. But this route comes with responsibilities. If you blanket to manage coat thickness, you’ll need to keep up with a routine.

Invest in a variety of blankets for different temperatures—a waterproof sheet, a lightweight or medium blanket, and a heavyweight blanket for colder days. And please, for the love of all things warm, make sure your blankets are waterproof! A soaked blanket is worse than no blanket at all and will leave your horse colder than if they were naked.

Also, don’t overthink it. You don’t need a closet of horse couture, but having the right gear on hand can make winter much more comfortable for both of you.

3. The Horse’s Discipline

If you’re riding lightly here and there, blanketing isn’t a must unless your horse falls into one of the first two categories. But if your horse works up a sweat regularly, blanketing becomes a bigger consideration—especially if you choose to body clip them.

Performance horses that sweat heavily during exercise benefit from a shorter coat, making cooling out faster and safer. However, if you’re clipping your horse, you absolutely must blanket them to compensate for their lost natural insulation.

Back when I worked for a former Olympian, their horses had up to six different types of blankets—each rotated depending on whether they were inside, outside, or somewhere in between. It was like a high-stakes game of equestrian dress-up! While most of us don’t need that level of commitment, it’s essential to match your horse’s workload with their blanketing needs.

4. Climate

Where you live plays a massive role in whether to blanket. Here in Delaware, we enjoy relatively mild winters. Most of the time, temperatures hover in the 30s and 40s. But when it suddenly drops to 11°F, like it did last year for a solid week, even the hardiest of horses might need a little extra help staying warm.

Rapid temperature changes can be especially tough on horses. If your area experiences big fluctuations, it’s a good idea to keep blankets on standby for those colder spells.

My Practices

Personally, I have three horses. Out of the three, only one gets blanketed—and not because he’s a diva (although he might argue otherwise). His coat is naturally thin, and as a performance horse, a sleeker coat is more desirable for his future rider. My other two are kept in a barn overnight and turned out during the day. For them, blanketing is situational, based on weather conditions or any sudden dips in temperature.

Blanketing is not a one-size-fits-all approach. The bottom line is to assess your horse’s needs, your schedule, and your goals for the winter season. If you’re unsure, err on the side of observing your horse closely and adjusting as necessary. They’re pretty good at letting you know what works!

Your Turn!

Now that you’re armed with all the blanket talk, what are your plans for your horse this winter? Let me know in the comments!

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