Horse Blanketing Guide: Types, Weight, and When to Blanket Your Horse

Horse blankets come in many different styles, weights, and materials. Choosing the right blanket for your horse and knowing when to use it is critical for supporting your horse's well-being. But blanketing your horse doesn't have to be complicated.

This guide will explain every type of horse blanket your horse may need and compare different Back on Track horse blankets, sheets, and coolers. Keep reading to learn when your horse needs a blanket and how to choose the best blanket for your horse.

Does My Horse Need a Blanket?

Not all horses need a blanket all the time. Several factors can influence whether or not your horse needs a blanket.

How Horses Stay Warm

Horses grow winter coats that help them stay warm during colder temperatures. A healthy winter coat has longer, coarser hairs that fluff up and trap heat, insulating your horse from the cold.

Consuming enough hay also helps your horse stay warm. Forage fermentation in the hindgut produces energy that helps maintain your horse's core temperature in cold conditions.

However, your horse's coat and normal calorie intake may not be enough to keep him warm under specific temperatures. This temperature will depend on your horse's coat, lifestyle, health, and climate.

Hair Coat

Clipped horses often need blankets to maintain their core body temperature since they lack natural winter coats for insulation. Unclipped horses with naturally sleek coats may also need blankets for warmth.

Health

Older horses are less efficient at maintaining their core body temperature. Weight loss is a sign your senior horse is using extra energy to stay warm and could benefit from a blanket.

Body condition can also impact thermoregulation. Hard keepers of any age may need blankets to prevent them from burning extra calories to stay warm.

Lifestyle

Wind and moisture can compromise your horse's ability to stay warm. Horses that live outside may need waterproof, heavier blankets for extra protection from the elements.

Climate

Your horse's breed and local climate influence the quality of his winter coat and thermoregulation. Breeds and individual horses accustomed to warmer climates may need blankets at higher temperatures than horses from colder climates.

Types of Horse Blankets and Sheets

Horses that wear blankets need different types and weights suitable for various temperatures and conditions.

Sheet vs. Blanket

Horse blankets are often distinguished from horse sheets. A horse sheet is lightweight with little to no fill, while a horse blanket typically has filling to provide extra warmth.

Stable Blankets and Sheets

Stable sheets and blankets are not waterproof. Horses wear stable blankets inside, but they can also be layered under waterproof blankets. They are made of more flexible, less durable materials than turnout sheets and blankets.

Look for stable sheets made of mesh materials for enhanced breathability. The Royal Mesh Sheet Deluxe is ideal for stable use, transport, and warm-up or cool-down.

The Millie Stable Blanket has extra insulation for colder temperatures. It is suitable to layer under turnout sheets for extra warmth, and the smooth outer material won’t collect stall bedding.

Turnout Blankets and Sheets

Turnout sheets and blankets are waterproof. Horses can wear turnouts both inside and outside. The waterproof outer layer protects your horse from moisture, which can compromise your horse's ability to stay warm.

Horses are harder on their blankets during turnout. Look for turnout sheets with high denier for more durability, such as the Classic Turnout Sheet with 1680D outer material. This turnout sheet is perfect for rainy days, fluctuating spring and fall temperatures, and mild climates.

Turnout blankets with attachments for liners allow flexibility for changing temperatures. The Obsidian Turnout Blanket with Neck Cover is an elegant turnout blanket designed to maximize freedom of movement and reduce chafing, even when used with liners.

Coolers

A cooler is a horse blanket designed to help horses stay warm while they dry off. Horses can't regulate their body temperature in cold conditions if their coat is damp. However, standard blankets and sheets can trap moisture if used on a wet horse.

Look for coolers made of moisture-wicking material, such as fleece. The Supreme Fleece Blanket is a warm cooler made of high-quality fleece.

A mesh cooler is more suitable for warmer conditions. The Sienna Mesh Cooler is a light, airy, sheer mesh cooler lined with Welltex over the back and around the neck and shoulders. Both coolers are also ideal to use for the benefits of Welltex before and after exercise.

Exercise Sheets

Also known as a quarter sheet, exercise sheets are designed for use during riding or in hand work. These sheets keep your horse's quarters dry and warm in cold or damp conditions.

The Nylon Exercise Sheet is waterproof for light rain and lined with fleece for comfort.

Horse Blanket Weights and Temperatures

Horse blankets are classified by weight to help owners determine which blanket to use at different temperatures. More weight provides more warmth in colder temperatures.

Light: 0g-100g

Sheets and lightweight blankets with up to 100g of fill are used on mild days. These blankets are popular on rainy fall and spring days. Even if your horse doesn't typically wear blankets, consider investing in a turnout sheet for wet, cold days.

The average horse may wear a light turnout when the temperature is 40-50 degrees F. Some owners use turnout sheets with no fill for clipped horses when the temperature is 50-60 degrees F.

Medium: 150g-250g

Medium-weight blankets have 150 to 250g of fill for warmth. Medium blankets offer warmth without excess weight and are popular during winter.

The average horse may wear a medium blanket when the temperature is 30-40 degrees. Horses with a natural coat may not need a medium blanket until the temperature is below freezing.

Heavy: 300g-400g+

Heavy-weight turnouts are essential for regions with cold winters and snow storms. These turnouts provide the most warmth. If you don't own a heavy blanket, layer liners under a medium blanket for extra warmth when the temperatures drop.

The average horse may wear a heavy blanket when the temperature is 15-30 degrees F. Temperatures below 15 degrees F may require layers to provide enough warmth.

Horse Blanket Style

Certain blanket styles may fit your horse better based on his conformation. Neck style can also influence warmth and protection against elements.

Standard Neck

A standard neck blanket leaves the neck exposed. This style is suitable for mild and changing temperatures, allowing some body heat to escape from the neck.

High Neck

A high-neck blanket provides more coverage than a standard neck blanket without the extra length of a neck cover. This type of blanket is popular with horses prone to wither rubs.

The Brianna Turnout Sheet features a high neck and 50g filling, perfect for preventing rainy-day chills.

Detachable Neck

A detachable neck offers the most flexibility. These blankets come with a neck cover that adds warmth and protection. Horses with full-body clips often benefit from blankets with neck covers.

Liners

Liners are a practical solution for adapting blankets to a variety of temperatures. They add extra fill to a blanket, increasing warmth on cold days. Using a liner that attaches to a blanket can reduce the risk of rubs associated with layering.

The Rhyolite Insulated Liner is ideal for using with your horse's regular blanket to add insulation and provide the benefits of Welltex technology.

Back on Track Horse Blankets

All Back on Track Horse blankets, sheets, coolers, and liners feature Welltex technology.

Welltex technology is a state-of-the-art textile technology found exclusively in Back on Track products. This technology reflects body energy as far infrared energy (FIR), stimulating circulation and supporting overall wellness.

Back on Track blankets with Welltex are a convenient way to support your horse's topline muscles. Increased circulation from FIR supports muscle relaxation, warm-up, and recovery.

A full wardrobe of Back on Track sheets, blankets, and coolers ensures your horse can stay comfortable at every temperature. Shop all Back on Track horse blankets to find the best fit for your horse.

[View Horse Blanket Guide Chart]