Now that you have learned how to size your horse for a blanket and get the correct blanket size for your horse, you will need to learn how to identify the blanket that best fits your horse’s individual needs.
Some factors to consider when deciding on a blanket model are:
- TYPE: Will you be using this blanket for your horse when they are indoors, outside, or both?
- MATERIAL/STRENGTH: Is your horse destructive on blankets? Will your horse be around other horses who are destructive on blankets?
- WEIGHT: How cold is the average daytime and nighttime temperature in your area? Does your horse have a full winter coat or are they body clipped?
Now that you have had time to consider and think over these important factors for determining what type blanket your horse needs, we will go over each of these factors and detail what blankets you should choose based on your responses.
In this section of this series, we will cover how to choose a blanket based on material/strength.
Is your horse destructive on blankets? Will your horse be around other horses who are destructive on blankets?
If your horse has a tendency to rip/damage blankets or will be around another horse who is known to do this, you should not purchase a blanket made of a softer or easier to damage material such as fleece, cotton, or a nylon or poly material that is not ripstop. If your horse is gentle with blankets and this will not be an issue, blanket strength is not as important for you.
Below, we will outline the different common blanket materials that are available and describe their strength. Each material has been given a rating of 1-5, with five being the strongest.
Fleece: fleece is a soft, breathable, and highly absorbent material that is ideal for providing warmth without overheating. Fleece is easy to rip/tear if it becomes caught on something or if a horse grabs it. Rating: 1.
420D Nylon/Poly: 420D material is soft and has a silky feel, it is typically used for stable blankets. 420D can rip/tear if it becomes caught on something or if a horse grabs it. Rating: 2.
Canvas: canvas is a rugged material that is very popular for blankets and is most often used indoors or in dry climates. Canvas is tougher than other materials but can still rip and tear. Rating: 3.
600D Ripstop Nylon/Poly: 600D Ripstop material is commonly used for turnouts because it is strong and designed for outdoor use, and the Ripstop weave helps to prevent rips and tears. Rating: 4.
1200D Ripstop Nylon/Poly: 1200D Ripstop material is commonly used for turnouts because it is extremely strong and designed for outdoor use, and the Ripstop weave helps to prevent rips and tears. Rating: 5.
Now that you know the blanket strength you need, you’re one step closer to finding the perfect blanket to suit your horse! Up next, learn how to identify the fill/weight of blanket that your horse needs.
If you have any further questions about what blanket your horse should wear, please contact us at tackman@tackwholesale.com or by phone at (330)-494-8225, we’re always happy to help!
