How to Choose a Turnout Blanket - A Durability Guide

Blanket Fabric

The outer layer of a turnout blanket can be made in a range of fabric types, including polyester, polypropylene, and ballistic nylon. Every fabric has its advantages, but in all cases, the strength of the fabric you choose is determined by its denier.

Denier describes the fiber density of your fabric. The higher the denier, the heavier and more durable the material. Higher denier fabrics are also more waterproof. Deniers range from lightweight 600 denier ripstop polyester all the way to 1680 denier ballistic nylon. For mild-mannered horses, a lower number may suffice. For active, playful types, look for a blanket with a higher denier.

Because each fabric type is different in strength, compare fabric deniers against like fabrics. For example, the construction of ballistic nylon is stronger and lighter than standard polyester fabric, so a 1000 denier ballistic nylon blanket may be more durable than a 1200 denier blanket made of polyester.

Learn more by reading Innovative Fabric Technology: Turnout Blankets.

Blanket Weight

Horse blankets come in different weights so that you can choose the right one for the weather you expect your horse to encounter. “Weight” refers to the amount of fiberfill the blanket contains and is described in gram weight. The heavier the blanket, the more fiberfill it contains. Heavier blanket weights mean a warmer blanket.

Lightweight Blankets can have no fill (sometimes called a stable sheet), or have a light fill of up to 100g. A lightweight turnout blanket is like a light raincoat for your horse, useful in damp or rainy conditions when cold temperatures are not a factor. They are also handy for helping keep your turned-out horse cleaner!

Medium-Weight Blankets contain fiberfill of 150g to 250g. They are appropriate for a number of weather conditions and horse preferences. Check the blanket weight guide to match your expected weather with the right blanket.

Heavy-Weight Blankets are appropriate for winter weather. They are the warmest of your blanket options and contain over 300 grams of fiberfill. They are especially useful for fully clipped horses or horses that are especially susceptible to cold weather.

Blanket Fit

Horses come in all shapes and sizes, and so do blankets! A good fit is key to keeping your turnout blanket on your horse all day long, and guards against damage caused by rough-housing, biting, and rolling.

There are several specific blanket cuts that are designed to fit the broadest range of breeds, builds, and sizes – from Miniature Horses and Ponies to Large Horses and Drafts. We have outlined some of our common fits to help guide you:

Extra Coverage Euro Fit is a universal style that can fit all breeds, with a smaller neck opening that covers the shoulders and withers fully. With a variety of styles such as the Combo-Style, with a neck cover permanently attached, or a High Neck style that gives additional protection from the wind and driving rains. There is no seam along the withers to prevent rubbing, and large forward extended gussets allow plenty of shoulder room.

VTEK® Wither Relief style blankets are an excellent choice for Thoroughbreds, Warmbloods, and Appendix-type horses. With a similar neck opening to our Euro Fit blankets, the VTEK® also has a raised, shaped, pressure-free wither area, with the additional benefit of the Adjusta-Fit® hook and loop closure to adjust the neck and shoulder area for your horse’s specific build. This style of blanket is great for horses with a more prominent wither, to eliminate pressure points or rubbing.

Fitted V-Free® are great for Quarter Horses, Stock Horse breeds, and Arabians. With a large neck opening and a sloped neckline, these blankets cover the shoulders and withers up to the start of the mane while leaving the mane uncovered. A raised, shaped, pressure-free wither design offers a comfortable fit.

Cutback style is designed for Friesians, Saddlebreds, Tennessee Walkers, and some Arabians. Offering a large neck opening and sloped neckline, the cut-back area along the withers gives horses with a more upright head carriage the freedom they need in the wither area to prevent pressure points, sore spots, or rubbing the delicate hair in that area.

Learn more by reading Which Blanket Fit is Right for My Horse.

Fittings

Now that you have chosen the fit and function of your turnout blanket, how do you put it on so that it stays on? Some horses are Houdini with their blanket, so if you dread the sight of them trotting around the paddock with the blanket slung around their neck and dragging on the ground, make sure you have secure fittings that help keep your blanket in place!

Standard straight front closures usually have two front fasteners, backed with Velcro for extra security. This style is useful for fitting a horse with a narrow build.

V-front closures have a deeper neck opening that helps to eliminate pressure on the shoulders when your horse is moving or bending its neck to graze. It usually uses stainless steel non-swivel trigger clip fastenings and tends to suit most horse body shapes.

Bellyband, surcingles, and leg straps should be easily adjustable for a secure fit.

Warranty

Do you need a warranty? That may depend on your horse and his habits! A warranty guarantees that your blanket will be waterproof and breathable for the entire term of the warranty. Even more important, the warranty also covers the damage or defect to the outer shell, inner lining, straps, surcingles, assembly, and hardware.