Horse Blanketing Guide: When to Blanket Your Senior Horse

Why Senior Horses Have Different Blanketing Needs

Winter rain and wind take a toll on older horses, as they can’t regulate their temperature as well as their younger counterparts. While snow actually acts as an insulator, wet conditions mat thinning hair down and prevent the insulating hair from keeping your senior horse warm. Senior horses also struggle with winter weight fluctuations, affecting their ability to maintain temperature. Senior horses should be blanketed when temperatures are around 50F to 40F. Blanketing can begin at the lower part of that range if your senior horse has good weight and no health issues. Thin horses going into the winter need to be blanketed at the upper ranger. Assume your senior horse needs a blanket before they start losing weight. Being proactive in keeping your senior horse warm in the winter is crucial.

Key Factors to Consider When Blanketing a Senior Horse

When blanketing your senior horse, the key factors to consider are coat condition and thickness, weight and body condition, health issues, weather and temperature, and shelter availability.

Coat Condition and Thickness

A horse’s coat changes as they age, with colors changing and gray hairs beginning to show. But other coat changes are especially concerning. How coat thickness changes with age and why some senior horses may need more frequent blanketing. A dull, rough, or sparse coat could indicate health problems, nutritional deficiencies, or hormonal imbalances. Older horses, especially those with Cushing’s disease, often maintain rougher coats year-round. When your horse’s coat suffers, the protective insulator isn’t as effective, and they need a blanket.

Weight and Body Condition

Senior horses often lose weight during the winter, as they may not eat as much and, to stay warm, may not move around the pasture much. That lack of movement leads to a lack of important grazing. In addition, certain diseases, like arthritis, make it difficult for senior horses to move around. Keeping your horse warm with blanketing will prevent the synovial fluid in the joints from thickening much, which leads to stiffness and pain. Blanketing also helps to reduce your senior horse’s body weight loss by keeping them comfortable while grazing and preventing burning body weight to stay warm. A shivering horse can drop an astounding amount of weight quickly, so it is crucial to stay ahead of that symptom of cold stress.

Health Issues

The equine immune system changes with age. These changes can lead to common skin diseases in senior horses, including rain rot, ringworm, and pastern dermatitis. Senior horses are more susceptible to these diseases because of a decline in their immune system’s efficiency, making them less capable of fighting off infections. Blanketing protects your horse’s body from the damp conditions and skin injury that can lead to diseases.

Weather and Temperature

Senior horses have less tolerance for cold weather, so they must be blanketed sooner than the average horse. Your senior horse should start wearing a blanket around 40F to 50F. They must wear a blanket when the conditions call for rain, ice, and slush, which can damage coats and skin and cause disease and infection.

Shelter Availability

Providing shelter for your senior horse will go a long way towards keeping them warm and giving them relief from the wind and rain. A three-sided run-in shed that blocks the winds is the best option. If a horse is in the pasture most of the time, blanketing will still be necessary, as your senior horse can still leave the run-in as they choose. Senior horses in the barn may need a lightweight option, but monitor your barn’s temperature closely

How to Choose the Right Blanket for Your Senior Horse

Blankets come in several styles and weights these days. It is a good idea to have a couple of different weights, one for moderate temperatures and one for very cold temperatures. You can also layer blankets according to how much warmth you think your horse needs.

Lightweight Blankets

Lightweight blankets are best when the weather starts to chill, such as in late Fall and even early winter in moderate climates. They are also great to use during the day when temperatures rise enough during temperate winters.

Medium-Weight Blankets

Medium-weight blankets provide the right balance of warmth during fluctuating temperatures when the weather is cold in the morning and warm up somewhat in the afternoon. These blankets are great for early winter and even late winter in warmer climates.

Heavy-Weight Blankets

Extreme cold is a reason for a heavy-weight blanket. During blustery, bone-deep, cold winters, these blankets are perfect. Heavy-weight blankets are also a great option for thinly coated or underweight senior horses, who will need that added protection to keep them warm.

Waterproof Blankets

Whatever blanket you choose, making sure it is waterproof is essential. Wet conditions just add to your horse's cold, stripping away warmth, so protecting it from rain and snow is crucial. Waterproofing also helps protect your senior horse from skin ailments such as rain rot.

Blankets with Extra Warmth and Padded Features

For added protection during the winter, look for blankets with fleece lining or neck covers to provide additional warmth for senior horses.

ARMORFlex® Challenger II Senior Turnout Blanket

Designed specifically for senior horses, the ARMORFlex® Challenger II VTEK® Senior Horse Turnout Blankets offer a unique blend of comfort, durability, and protection. Its waterproof and breathable 1200D ripstop polyester outer shell is tailored to accommodate the changing needs of your senior horse, providing enhanced coverage over the shoulder and wither areas where muscle loss often occurs. This blanket features improved waterproofing and breathability ratings with exceptional breathability, ensuring your horse stays dry and comfortable all season. In addition, Memory Foam has been added to the wither area, shoulder line, and hip panels. The memory foam is an additional layer of protection from rubs and sores as your older horse may lay down more.

SHOP

Signs Your Senior Horse May Need a Blanket

The signs that your senior horse may need a blanket are shivering or cold stress, lack of weight gain or sudden weight loss, stiffness and arthritis, and/or tucked-up posture.

Shivering or Cold Stress

Shivering is one of the top symptoms of being too cold. If your horse is shaking and chattering, it’s essential to bring them inside the barn and add a blanket. If your horse is shivering with a blanket on, the blanket isn’t weighted enough.

Lack of Weight Gain or Unexpected Weight Loss

Weight loss is the enemy of senior horse health. It indicates your horse’s body is having to work too hard to stay warm. Check your senior horse daily for signs of weight loss or lack of weight gain (if they are already underweight). This is a sign they need a blanket.

Stiffness and Arthritis

Normal joints are surrounded by synovial fluid, which helps to lubricate and protect the joint. When the temperature drops, synovial fluid tends to thicken, leading to less protection and pain and stiffness. In addition, horses that are already arthritic will suffer from heightened aggravation of the joint, as well as inflammation and pain. It’s very important to keep the joints lubricated, to keep senior horses blanketed and warm.

Tucked-Up Posture

Senior horses will hunch their posture and tuck their belly in to be as small as possible to conserve body heat. If you see this, blanket your horse immediately, as their body is working overtime to produce enough warmth.

WHEN TO BLANKET YOUR HORSE

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Blanketing Senior Horses

The common mistakes to avoid when blanketing senior horses are over blanketing, ignoring weight changes, and poor blanket fit.

Over-Blanketing

Blanketing can cause the opposite effect you want by keeping your horse too warm. Sweat under blankets makes it hard for your senior horse’s coat to dry off, and they can get chilled and start shivering. In addition, the sweat can cause your horse to become dehydrated, and senior horses need to stay hydrated all winter to maintain good health.

Ignoring Weight Changes

When it comes to a senior horse’s weight, being proactive is much better than reactive; when you deal with a senior horse’s weight loss, it becomes an uphill battle. Never ignore weight changes. Run your hands over your senior horse regularly as well because a thick coat can hide weight loss.

Poor Blanket Fit

Make sure that your senior horse’s blankets fit correctly. An ill-fitting blanket can cause severe rubs on withers and shoulders, and belly and leg straps can get tangled and cause injuries.

Not Taking Blankets Off Regularly

Take off your horse’s blanket regularly to check for signs or rubs, skin disease, and weight loss. You can miss many signs of cold stress ailments if you never take blankets off. It’s also important to inspect blankets regularly for signs of wear and tear that might indicate the blanket isn’t doing its job properly.