Owning a horse isn’t cheap. It can cost thousands of dollars a year to keep your equestrian friend fed, housed, and otherwise taken care of. Occasionally, you need to worry about clothing your equine partner as well, especially in cold weather.
An important question every horse owner must ask is whether or not to blanket your horse to provide protection during the colder months of winter. Even in mild conditions, your horse might get cold if she lives outside or sweats a lot during tough workouts.
Whatever the conditions or situation, you have to decide what’s best for your horse. Read on to learn more about what horse blankets are available on the market and which might be the best winter horse blankets for you.
The Best Winter Horse Blankets and Their Use
A horse blanket, also called a rug, is a garment designed to protect your horse from environmental conditions such as cold temperatures and rain. This is particularly important if your horse doesn’t have all-day access to a shelter such as a barn or shed.
Generally, the blanket design for horses consists of three parts: the top layer, the middle layer, and the lining. The top layer is the main protection against wind and water, the middle layer is the main insulator to preserve body heat, and the lining helps make the entire garment comfortable for the horse.
Horse blankets also need to ensure freedom of movement so your horse doesn’t feel trapped. Extra features such as a detachable neck cover, quick-release straps, elastic leg straps, or belly wraps help make sure the blanket is snug, but not restricting.
1. Hilason 1200D Poly Waterproof Turnout Winter Horse Blanket
The top protective layer of this best winter horse blankets choice is made from heavy-duty Toughmaster 1200D waterproof material. This way, your horse stays dry in the rain. Plus, the material is breathable, so it’s not just trapping moisture that’s going to end up making your horse cold in the long run.
Also, this Hilason blanket has a striking purple and turquoise color scheme, which will ensure your horse looks fabulous while standing proud in a winter wonderland.
The middle insulating layer is composed of Polygood Brand 400-gram high-grade poly fill, which is the strongest on our list and will keep your horse warm even on the coldest days.
The lining is made from Persian twisted woven taffeta, which is highly durable while still being remarkably soft. This means the blanket will be gentle and forgiving on your horse’s sensitive skin, and he will be happy to wear it.
Finally, this product includes several key features and extras that add value to your purchase. These features include a belly-wrap system, a double-buckle front closure, extra fleece at the wither area above the shoulders, and a quick-release strap.
Specifications:
- Best For: Small-size insulator
- Brand: Hilason
- Size: 66“
- Color: Purple and turquoise
- Outer Material: 1200D ripstop polyester
- Insulation Material: 400-gram polyfill
- Water resistance: Waterproof
Pros
- Heavyweight Toughmaster Ripstop outer shell
- Waterproof and breathable
- Able to withstand 10,000 PSI of water and air pressure
- Top-quality Polygood brand insulation
- Persian Twisted Woven Taffeta Lining delivers excellent durability
Cons
- Customers report other models from this brand have weak clips
- May need to swap out for stronger versions
2. Hilason 1200D Ripstop Waterproof Turnout Winter Horse Blanket
This product is larger, available in a 72” design for larger horses. Other than that, this blanket includes all the same values and features as the first product on this list.
The main challenge with both of these products is the lack of available reviews from verified customers.
Specifications:
- Best For: Large-size insulator
- Brand: Hilason
- Size: 72“
- Color: Copper and black
- Outer Material: 1200D ripstop polyester
- Insulation Material: 400-gram polyfill
- Water resistance: Waterproof
Pros
- Heavy-duty Toughmaster waterproof shell
- Polygood brand fill will keep your horse warm
- Belly wrap system for extra insulation
- Soft and comfortable Taffeta lining
- Double-buckle front closure to keep the blanket secure
Cons
- One customer complained that the blanket didn’t stay in place
- Limited reviews (positive or negative) to base purchase decision on
3. WPIC Turnout 1680D Winter Waterproof Horse Blanket
It’s also available in a variety of sizes so you should be able to find the perfect fit for your equine companion. Remember, if your horse is between sizes, it’s best to move up to the next size.
The last thing you want is a horse blanket that’s too small because it can cause chafing and sores, doing more harm than good. This is especially true around the wither, which is always prone to irritation due to the placement of the saddle. Don’t make it worse by getting a horse blanket that’s too tight.
Along these lines, this product also has no center seam. This can be a problem with other blankets as the seam runs directly along the horse’s spine, which can cause chafing and irritation. Shifting the seam to the sides where there’s less pressure helps eliminate this problem.
This blanket also includes detachable leg straps, which makes it far easier to put on and take off the blanket, especially if you have a stubborn horse that doesn’t like to cooperate!
Specifications:
- Best For: Toughest outer shell
- Brand: WPIC
- Size: 72, 75, 78, 81, 83 inches
- Color: Purple and blue
- Outer Material: 1680D ripstop polyester and nylon
- Insulation Material: 300-gram polyfill
- Water resistance: Waterproof
Pros
- Breathable waterproof outer shell
- Bright colors easy to spot from far away or in poor visibility
- Quick and easy to put on
- Includes tail flap
Cons
- One customer complained that the color is more pink than purple
- One customer complained that the sizing was inaccurate
4. Derby Originals Classic 600D Ripstop Waterproof Winter Horse Turnout Blanket
This Derby Originals blanket contains 250-gram polyfill insulation, making it the lightest equine blanket on our list.
Senior horses who are less active and prone to chill in the windy weather of early spring or late autumn will benefit from lightweight blankets that offer a layer of warmth along with waterproof protection.
It’s also great for both indoor and outdoor use. Generally, horses with all-day access to shelter don’t require blankets, but if they do, you want to be sure it’s not too heavy. This blanket is perfect for those types of scenarios.
Specifications:
- Best For: Mild conditions
- Brand: Derby Originals
- Size: 57”
- Color: Hunter green, purple
- Outer Material: 600D ripstop nylon
- Insulation Material: 250-gram polyfill
- Water resistance: Waterproof
Pros
- Excellent waterproofing keeps your horse dry
- Made from durable and high-quality materials
- Designed for both indoor and outdoor use
- Good for senior horses
- Available in two striking colors
Cons
- Several customers complained about poor durability
- One customer complained that the sizing being too large
5. Derby Originals Windstorm Premium 1200D Waterproof Ripstop Heavyweight Turnout Horse Blanket
As with the others on the list, this blanket has a triple-layer design to provide maximum waterproofing, insulation, and comfort for your horse. However, it also includes some innovative features such as quick-clip chest buckles and adjustable neck straps.
This blanket is available in a wide variety of sizes so you can be sure to get the one that fits just right. Remember, if the coat is too tight, you could create skin problems for your horse. If it’s too loose, there’s a good chance it will fall off as your horse roams around.
Color scheme is also important to consider when choosing a blanket, and it’s not just about fashion. This reflective blanket is offered in a wide selection of colors, which makes your horse highly visible at long distances and at night.
If there’s a sudden winter storm coming, you want to be sure you can spot your horse quickly to get him out of harm’s way.
Specifications:
- Best For: High visibility
- Brand: Derby Originals
- Size: 69, 72, 75, 78, 81, 84 inches
- Color: Charcoal, electric blue, orange, red
- Outer Material: 1200D ripstop nylon
- Insulation Material: 300-gram polyfill
- Water resistance: Waterproof
Pros
- Durable and effective triple-layer design
- Vibrant colors help keep your horse visible at all times
- 100% 5-star rating on Amazon
- Great value
- 2-year manufacturer warranty
Cons
- Limited reviews (positive or negative) to base purchase decision on
Best Winter Horse Blankets: Buying Considerations
Here are some things to keep in mind as you decide which winter horse blanket is best for your horse.
1. Check if Your Horse Needs a Blanket
At first, it seems like any horse would be happy being warmer, but it’s important to remember that horses are very different from people. In conditions that would freeze a normal person, horses can be perfectly happy. This depends on the individual horse.
Many factors affect the need for a blanket, including:
- Whether or not the horse is clipped
- The breed and age of the horse
- Whether the horse is bred for the current weather conditions
- Whether you need to keep your horse clean
So, if your horse is a barn-housed 2000-pound Clydesdale covered in winter wool, you probably don’t need a blanket. However, if you have an older clipped Arabian that you recently moved from warmer climates to Montana, you’re probably going to need a good blanket to get through the winter season.
You have to take all factors into account when considering winter protection.
Also, unlike a person, your horse cannot remove the blanket if it gets too hot. The blanket can become like a prison for her if the conditions don’t require her to have it. Remember, a cold horse can always warm up through activity, but it’s impossible to cool down if she is wrapped in an insulator.
2. Material “D” Rating
You’ll notice that all the products listed above have a number rating followed by the letter “D,” which stands for Denier. This refers to how waterproof the blanket is. The higher the number, the tighter the weave of the material. So, a horse blanket made from 1680D material is more waterproof than one made from 600D material.
Because the number indicates tightness of weave, it also has an effect on durability. Material with a higher number is much more durable because it has more thread in a given area.
3. Sizing for the Best Winter Horse Blankets
Most blankets on this list are available in several sizes so you want to be sure you buy the right one. If you don’t have the correct size, the blanket may do more harm than good. Here’s how you measure your horse for her blanket:
- Get a cloth (or otherwise soft) measuring tape typically used in sewing
- Find the center of your horse’s chest
- Find the point right in front of the tail
- Measure between these two points, around the side of the horse’s belly
- The result is your horse’s blanket size
- If the measurement falls between sizes, move up to the next size
4. Horse Blanket Washing
Keeping your horse blanket clean is important both to extend the lifespan of the product as well as to ensure the health of your horse.
Washing a horse blanket is just like washing any other blanket. If your washing machine at home is big enough, you can just wash it at home. If not, you might have to take it to a laundry service or laundromat.
In any case, be sure to read the label carefully to determine whether the blanket is machine washable. If so, follow the instructions provided to make sure you don’t damage the blanket.
Only use detergents specifically designed for horse blankets, or at least those clearly marked as safe for animals. Also, don’t use fabric softener as this can damage the breathability and waterproofing properties of the blanket.
Dry horse blankets in the open air. Never use a dryer as the heat can damage the waterproof coating and make it less effective at insulating and protecting your horse.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to owning a horse, at some point you’ll have to decide whether or not your horse needs a blanket for protection from cold weather.
You should now have a general idea about the best winter horse blankets, including what horse blankets are for, when they should be used, and what types of blankets are on the market.
We hope this buying guide helps you find the perfect blanket for your horse!