Admin Table of Contents
- 1 How do I stop my horse from rubbing his blankets?
- 2 How tight should the belly straps be on a horse blanket?
- 3 What temperature should I blanket my clipped horse?
- 4 How should a horse blanket fit?
- 5 How do I know if my horse blanket is too small?
- 6 Why you should not blanket your horse?
- 7 Is it OK to put a blanket on a damp horse?
How do I stop my horse from rubbing his blankets?
How to Prevent Blanket Rubs
- The edges of the front of the blanket should overlap slightly at the chest.
- The front edge of the blanket should completely cover the withers and shoulders.
- Each belly strap should be snug enough that you can slide only one hand width between it and your horse’s body.
How tight should the belly straps be on a horse blanket?
Make sure belly straps hang no more than four inches below the horse and you can slip no more than a single mittened hand between the chest strap and your horse. Larger gaps risk hoof entrapment when the horse lies down. Straps that are too tight will not only be uncomfortable for the horse, but can tear fabric.
When should I start blanketing my horse?
Here are some general guidelines: Body Clipped Horses: Start blanketing when the temperature gets below 60°F, or anytime it is rainy or windy. Moderate Hair Coat Horses: Start blanketing when the temperature goes below 40°F. Heavy Hair Coat Horses: Start blanketing when the temperatures go below 30°F.
What temperature should I blanket my clipped horse?
Blanketing Cheat Sheet
| Temperature | Unclipped | Clipped |
|---|---|---|
| 40-50° F | no blanket | sheet or lightweight |
| 30-40° F | no blanket, or only a lightweight | mid- to heavyweight |
| 20-30° F | no blanket, or a light- to midweight | heavyweight |
| 10-20° F | mid- to heavyweight | heavyweight plus a sheet or liner |
How should a horse blanket fit?
It is essential that a blanket should fit well on the withers and shoulders so that your horse can move freely underneath the fabric without the blanket slipping back. Adjust the buckles and ensure you can still slide your hand down the neck of the blanket.
What happens if a horse blanket is too big?
Too Large: A blanket that is too big for your horse can move around on his body, causing a potentially unsafe situation if he steps on it or gets his leg caught in a strap. A loose blanket is also less effective at keeping out winter weather.
How do I know if my horse blanket is too small?
“If you cannot bring them together at all or if you can see more than 2-3 inches of the horse’s rump on either side of the tail, then the blanket is too small.” Test the width using the horse’s movement. The shoulders should move easily at the walk, and the blanket should not pull when the horse lowers his head to eat.
Why you should not blanket your horse?
Blankets tend to compress a coat’s layers, which compromises their insulating properties. Horses that do not live in extremely cold environments – meaning routinely colder than 10°F – will do well without a blanket, provided they are either stalled during the coldest temperatures or have access to a protective shelter.
How do I know if my horse is warm enough?
Direct touch is a good way to tell how cold a horse is. Place your hand up under the horse’s rug and feel his shoulders and chest area you can get a quick indication of body warmth. Many people recommend feeling behind the ears or if the horse is wet check around the horse’s kidneys.
Is it OK to put a blanket on a damp horse?
Blanket Fit Make sure blankets are kept dry and do not put a blanket on a wet horse; wait until the horse is dry before blanketing. Or take a wet blanket off a horse to keep it from becoming chilled. Days that the temperature becomes warm remove the blanket so the horse does not sweat and become wet under the blanket.