
Best Horse Blankets in 2022 – Turnout & Stable
There is another one with two horse owners leading their horses down the barn aisle. One horse has an au naturel winter coat with no horseshoes, and the woman leading him wears simple barn clothes. The other horse has a thick stable blanket layered over a fleece cooler with insulated stall boots, the owner wearing brand name English riding gear. Both riders have the same words filling their thought bubbles: “Poor horse.” While there is some truth to these jokes, blanketing is a concern for all horse owners who are not blessed to live in a climate where the temperatures are moderate all year round.
Does My Horse Need a Blanket?
So, What Kind of Blanket Do I Need?
The first thing to assess is how much winter coat your horse has and how cold your winter will be. Then look at the blanket’s fill, measured in grams from 100 grams to over 300 grams. If your horse will be living primarily in a stall, he may be able to do fine with a stable blanket with appropriate fill. If there is a chance he will go outside in the cold and wet, however, you may want to consider a turnout blanket for him. Turnout blankets have fill as well, but they also often have a liner and a ripstop, waterproof exterior. The strength of a turnout blanket’s outer material is measured in denier: the higher the denier number, the tougher the blanket. If your horse is active in the field, has a lot of things in his turnout area to rip a blanket on, or likes to roughhouse with his buddies, it is better to invest in a high denier blanket. If you live in an area prone to wind, freezing rain, or driving snow, it may be a good idea to invest in a tail guard or hood to go with the blanket as well.
While many see these blankets as a luxury, riding horses may benefit from quarter sheets, such as this Wool quarter sheet from Equinavia, during warmup and cooldown if clipped. Any riding horse that is ridden in cold weather should have a fleece or wool cooler in order to help them dry off from sweat after riding.
Best Horse Blankets - Stable and Turnout, Oh My!
The Best Turnout Blankets
CHAMPION
Rambo Wug Turnout
Highest Quality!
When it comes to brands, the top of the line is Rambo from Horseware Ireland. While the prices are steep these blankets, such as this waterproof model, are unrivaled in durability, breathability, and comfort
RUNNER-UP
Premier Trio Detach-A-Neck Medium Blanket
Versatile Option
Another brand that is known for quality, a variety of weights, and more acceptable prices. They have a variety of customizable models, including the alternative HEAVY version: WeatherBeeta Premier Free DAN Heavy
RUNNER-UP
Basics by Tough 1 1200 Turnout Blanket
Budget Option
Finally, the brand Tough-1 is known for the best prices, especially for this Basic Turnout Blanket
The Best Stable Blankets
CHAMPION
Rambo Stable Plus w/Vari-Layer 450g
Highest Quality EXTREME Weather
For the stabled horse, it depends on how much winter coat your horse has. If he has a full body clip and you are in a harsh winter climate, he may benefit from a Rambo Stable Plus w/Vari-Layer 450g
RUNNER-UP
Horze Nevada Medium Weight Winter Stable Blanket
Lighter, Budget Option
On the other hand, he may be all right with a lighter model such as the Horze Nevada. Make a decision based on the factors mentioned in this article, and pay attention to how cold he seems to be when you go to see him.
Conclusion
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