CHOOSING A HORSE BLANKET
By Ron Caldwell – “THE TACKGUY”
A.A. CALLISTER

A horse blanket is an essential part of any owners’ horse equipment. You have a lot of hose blankets to choose from. Because everyone needs to know what there options are before they choose, here is a list of important things to know about horse blankets.

• BREATHABLE – It is always important to get a breathable horse blanket that keeps the moisture away from their body.
• CLOSED FRONT – This horse blanket has a closed front and has to be pulled over the horse’s head to place it on.
• CLOSED FRONT – This horse blanket has a closed front and has to be pulled over the horse’s head to place it on.
• DENIER - This refers to the outside of the blanket. These blankets are perfect for preventing bug bites. If you choose to have a higher denier than your blanket will tend to be a lot warmer and stronger..
• FILL – This refers to the filling or insulation that the blanket holds to either keep the horse very warm during cold winter nights, or to simply keep the chill off during fall and spring nights. The higher the fill amount, the warmer the blanket will be.
• HEAVEY WEIGHT – if your blanket is 1200D plus and more than 8 OZ or 200G of fill, than you blanket is considered a heavy weight and is perfect for temperatures that go below 20 degrees.
• HOOD/ NECK COVER – These are pieces that have rings or some type of fastener on your blanket that will attach for a hood or simple neck cover.
• LIGHT WEIGHT – The light weight blankets usually are for climates that wont get below 40 degrees at night. They have about 600D to little or no filling. They are perfect for spring and fall.
• LINER – The liner is the inside of the blanket, and you have many different options. Some blankets come with it or have available detach so that you can choose your own and then attach the one that is perfect for you.
• MEDIUM WEIGHT – This blanket usually has 600D-1200D and 8 OZ or 200G of fill or even sometimes less. This is for colder temperatures but not those that go below 20 degrees.
• OPEN FRONT – These have an opening in the front so you don’t have to pull the blanket over the head.
• STABLE – A stable blanket is only for the stable. Don’t put it over your horse outside because if they get wet they are like a sponge and hold it in.
• TURNOUT – You can find turnout blankets that are either waterproof or water resistant as well as indoor or outdoor blankets. These are great and very breathable and usually allow for great movement form the horse.
• WATER RESISTANT & WATERPROOF – Don’t get confused between these two because they are different. Water resistant does allow some moisture to make it’s way past the blanket. Waterproof doesn’t.

Keep these items in mind when purchasing your next horse blanket. If you have any further questions, we are only an email or phone call away and would love to help. 1-877-78HORSE or email me at sroberts@callisters.com.