Whether you are thinking ahead to winter blanketing or in the throes of winter and your horse has mastered the art of ripping their blanket to shreds, we are here for you! Finding the right blanket for your horse shouldn’t be a chore. So, which blanket is best?
Choosing a winter blanket involves a few critical criteria. You need to consider your horse’s age, body type, blanketing needs, and climate to find the right blanket.
Understanding the Needs of Your Horse in Winter
Horses can’t tell you what they need (oh, if only!), so considering your horse’s stats, as well as any signs they need to be blanketed, is crucial.
Factors to Consider
When you first start looking for winter horse blankets, consider the following:
Breed: Horses with thick coats or more robust bodies will have different needs than smaller, leaner ones. For example, a Percheron will need a blanket of a very different size and weight than a Thoroughbred. The breed also comes into play when considering what type of coat they have. Some coats hold heat better than others.
Age and health condition: Horses that are very young, very old, or sick will need more blanketing consideration than a healthy, young, or middle-aged horse. Horses that are very young, old, or sick generally need heavier blankets and to be blanketed sooner based on the temperature drops due to their inability to appropriately regulate or tolerate temperature fluctuations.
Stall or Pasture: Does your horse spend more time in the stall or the pasture? Horses who spend more time in pastures will need heavier blankets and exceptional waterproofing. Due to the elements, having a blanket with heavy-duty material is essential. Horses that spend more time in a stall are more protected from the elements and may be warmer; therefore, they need a lighter winter blanket.
Signs Your Horse May Need a Blanket
While a horse can’t verbalize its blanket needs, there are key signs that it needs a blanket. Such signs include:
Shivering
Excessive weight loss or lack of appetite
Wet weather conditions
Tucked-up posture or hunched over
It’s also important to consider the golden rules of when to blanket:
Below 60F for clipped horses
Below 40F for moderate coats
Below 30F for heavy coats
Below 50F for old, very young, or sick horses
Types of Winter Horse Blankets
The big question is: do you need a turnout blanket or a stable blanket? It depends on your horse’s schedule. If your horse spends time outside, it will need a turnout blanket. Winter is not just cold; it can also be wet and windy. Top-quality winter horse turnouts do not just insulate against the cold; they also keep your horse dry and block wind. Your turnout blanket must be waterproof and breathable, keeping your horse from overheating and sweaty.
A stable blanket is a great choice if your horse, pony, draft, or mini will remain in their stall most of the time. Since stabled horses are not exposed to wind or wet, they don’t need a waterproof blanket. Instead, they need a stable blanket that provides insulation that will keep a clipped horse warm in their stall.
Turnout Blankets
A turnout horse blanket is a waterproof, durable blanket designed for horses to wear in the pasture. It is made to withstand the elements and keep horses dry and warm.
Stable Blankets
Stable horse blankets are perfect for horses in a stall or while being trailered. Stable horse blankets are generally not waterproofed since they are used indoors. These horse blankets come in different levels of thickness, depending on your horse’s needs.
Key Features to Look for in a Winter Horse Blanket
When you start shopping for a winter horse blanket, there are four features you need to consider
Insulation Levels
Winter horse blankets come in multiple insulation levels, from lightweight to midweight to heavyweight. Lightweight is a great choice when it’s a brisk day but not super cold. Midweight is good for temperate winter days, and heavyweight protects against that deep winter cold.
Durability and Materials
Winter blankets should also be chosen based on your horse’s level of activity while wearing one and where. Horses in a stall can handle a blanket that is not waterproof and may not be heavy-duty, while a horse in the pasture needs a winter blanket that is made hardy to withstand the elements and playful pasture mates.
Fit and Adjustability
You need a blanket that is not only snug but also fits great. Some horses can wear any type of winter blanket, while some need specialized fits. For example, horses with high withers, like Thoroughbreds, need winter blankets that will protect that sensitive area from rubbing.
Winter Protection
Most importantly, make sure your winter horse blanket is designed for the elemental surprises of winter. Research the climate in your area for the winter months to determine whether you have a mild winter, rainy winter, snowy weather, or a mix of all of these elements.
The Top 10 Winter Horse Blankets
Now for the fun part: shopping! We’ve compiled a list of the top ten best winter horse blankets that cover everything from the overall best, to the best winter blanket for your horse’s breed.
- Overall Best Turnout Blanket for Your Horse
- Best Priced Horse Blanket
- Most Durable Horse Blanket
- Most Fashionable Horse Blanket
- Best Horse Blanket for Night Turnout
- Best Stable Blanket for Horses
- Best Blanket for Growing Foals
- Best for Staying Fully Covered
- Best Pony Blanket for Winter
- Best Draft Horse Blanket for Winter
Schneiders® ARMORFlex® Pro Adjusta-Fit® Turnout Blankets
Turn to the ARMORFlex® Pro turnout blanket when durability is the most important feature for your horse. With a lifetime warranty, these breathable and waterproof blankets are designed with a 1680D Ballistic Nylon material for utmost durability, making them the perfect choice for your playful horses. The innovative Aridity™ Bamboo Charcoal inner layer has deodorizing, antibacterial, and antifungal properties that fight off skin irritations. This advanced technology wicks away moisture and provides exceptional temperature regulation, ensuring optimal comfort for your horse. With a Teflon coating, upgraded waterproofing, 70% stronger hardware, and increased reflective binding added, this blanket lasts a lifetime!
☆☆☆☆☆“GREAT winter blanket for my horses that are on 24hr turnout!! These blankets are durable & my go-to blanket!! It gives a peace of mind with a guarantee, too!!” -Jessica
Dura-Tech® Viking Traditional Euro Turnout Blanket
The Dura-Tech® Viking Traditional Euro Turnout Blanket is designed to fit straight from the withers to the back, ensuring greater protection against the elements. It features fleece at the wither for extra comfort and protection against rubbing and is available in a variety of levels of insulation to suit your horse's needs. Whether you need a heavyweight turnout blanket for the bitter days of winter or a waterproof turnout sheet to keep your horse protected and dry on rainy days, the Dura-Tech® Viking Traditional Euro Turnout Blanket has you covered.
☆☆☆☆☆“One of my favorite blankets. I've been using these for 10 years.” -Jodi
Schneiders® ARMORFlex® Pro Adjusta-Fit® Turnout Blankets
Turn to the ARMORFlex® Pro turnout blanket when durability is the most important feature for your horse. With a lifetime warranty, these breathable and waterproof blankets are designed with a 1680D Ballistic Nylon material for utmost durability, making them the perfect choice for your playful horses. The innovative Aridity™ Bamboo Charcoal inner layer has deodorizing, antibacterial, and antifungal properties that fight off skin irritations. This advanced technology wicks away moisture and provides exceptional temperature regulation, ensuring optimal comfort for your horse. With a Teflon coating, upgraded waterproofing, 70% stronger hardware, and increased reflective binding added, this blanket lasts a lifetime!
☆☆☆☆☆ “GREAT winter blanket for my horses that are on 24hr turnout!! These blankets are durable & my go-to blanket!! It gives a peace of mind with a guarantee, too!!” -Jessica
Stormshield® Limited Edition Diamond Surcingle Turnout Blanket
The Stormshield® Limited Edition Diamond Surcingle Turnout Blanket blends style and functionality, featuring a customer-requested blue diamond design. These turnouts showcase a classic contour collar fit with a sealed and shaped seam around the neck, ensuring a snug fit and superior protection in wet, windy weather. Constructed from a tough, durable 1200D Ripstop Polyester outer, this blanket is more waterproof than competitive brands, providing unmatched durability and shielding against the elements, ensuring your horse stays dry and comfortable. It also has a front closure, making it easy to put on and off. This blanket is unmatched for the best blanket to keep your horse warm while looking stylish in the barn or pasture
ARMORFlex® Challenger II
Your horse will stay dry and warm all night with the ARMORFlex® Challenger II. Even better, with its extreme durability, you’ll sleep easy knowing that your horse will still be blanketed in the morning! These blankets are constructed with a 1200D ripstop polyester material that provides extreme durability, making it the perfect choice for your most playful horses. Wider binding and reinforced stitching add to the durability, and the 3M Teflon coating adds improved waterproofing, making this blanket perfect for nights in the pasture. This blanket marries toughness with exceptional breathability, ensuring your horse stays dry and comfortable all season, even in the worst winter weather. With our variety of fit options, you're certain to find the best-fitting option for your horse - no matter their confirmation.
☆☆☆☆☆“Great fitting blanket, perfect weight.” -Gay
Adjusta-Fit® Dura-Nylon® V-Free® Guardian Bellyband Stable Blanket
The Adjusta-Fit® Dura-Nylon® V-Free® Guardian Bellyband Stable Blanket is a great midweight choice for horse owners who want to provide their horses with a comfortable and breathable blanket to keep them warm in cold weather. The "Original" Adjusta-Fit® System ensures a custom fit for any horse, while the Dura-Nylon® 420 denier nylon outer helps to regulate temperature and prevent overheating. This stable blanket is an excellent choice for horse owners looking for a quality product to keep their horses comfortable in all types of weather.
☆☆☆☆☆“These are my MOST FAVORITE blankets. I use them to layer throughout the cold seasons. The bellyband keeps the warmth in and they are super durable.” -Kathleen
StormShield® Expandable Foal Turnout
The StormShield® Expandable Foal Turnout is a great choice for foals in various weather conditions. The waterproof, breathable, and windproof material will keep them dry and comfortable while the hook and loop front closure expands as they grow. The bellyband style provides extra coverage and stays securely in place, making it ideal for temperatures ranging from 30 to 50 degrees. With so many features, the StormShield® Expandable Foal Turnout is a great option for any foal.
☆☆☆☆☆“I'm using this product in Northern Michigan, where it gets extremely cold. My weanling appears to be very happy to wear it during the Michigan winters. Thank you for developing such a perfect product for the little ones!!! My little guy sure loves it.” -PZ from Michigan
StormShield® Nordlund II
In the worst winter weather, you need a blanket that will keep your horse totally covered. When you need a turnout blanket that will keep your horse dry and comfortable no matter the weather, a StormShield® Nordlund II is the perfect choice. This blanket is made from the toughest 1680D Ballistic Nylon fabric, offering extreme durability. If your horse likes to be rough and run in the pasture, you'll find that this style will remain intact for their active lifestyle. This blanket even comes with a seven-year warranty, giving you peace of mind with your purchase. This blanket also has 3M reflective binding that enhances visibility in low-light conditions, a wide front hook and loop closure, and breathable nylon to enhance your horse’s coat. With the fit options of Contour Collar, High Neck, and Attached Neck Euro, your horse will stay warm head to tail.
☆☆☆☆☆ “Very high quality. Will be perfect for winter.” -Sadie
StormShield® Blizzard II
The StormShield® Blizzard II is designed to fit your pony snugly and protect them from the elements. This blanket is perfect for the pony lifestyle, as they run, buck, and play with their pasture mates. Got a mischievous pony? This blanket has tough 1680D Ballistic Nylon fabric, offering extreme durability, meaning this blanket won’t come off or rip. This blanket also has 3M reflective binding that enhances visibility in low-light conditions, a wide front hook and loop closure, and breathable nylon to enhance your pony’s coat. With the fit options of Contour Collar, High Neck, and Attached Neck Euro, your pony will stay warm head to tail.
☆☆☆☆☆“We absolutely love the quality and strength of these blankets!! We bought one last year for our mini (he's the tester ) and it was amazing- held up way better than any of our other sheets and blankets. So our big guys got new ones for themselves this year! Quality is great!” -Victoria
ARMORFlex® Challenger Turnout Blankets
If you have a draft horse, you know the struggle of finding a blanket that fits them properly. However, many blankets on the market are too snug in places and need to offer more protection from the elements. The ARMORFlex® Challenger Turnout Blankets are designed to fit the unique confirmation of your draft horse, keeping them comfortable and dry all season. This blanket is designed specifically for the draft and offers 5X more waterproofing than Competitive brands, so you'll never worry about a wet horse again.
☆☆☆☆☆“I love the detailed fit of this sheet! My Belgian Mare has high withers and I could choose the neck cut for her particular build! It fits her Perfectly!” -Marguerite
It’s no TV show: winter is coming. So be prepared for all winter throws at your horse: from cold to wet and everything in between. Your horse will stay comfortably snug and cozy with the perfect winter blanket…or two!
Check out More Resources About Horse Blankets
Want to learn more about blanketing your horse? Become a blanketing savant with these great resources:
