Pros and Cons of putting a blanket on a horse?

Question

I have two 20+yr old horses, and I have been thinking about purchasing some blankets for them during the Minnesota's cold winters.
I am not that fimalar with the blankets for horses.
Thanks

Answer 1

My horse is around 40 years old so I understand your concern.



It is true that horses handle cold a lot better than we think, but with older horses, it's a bit different. It depends on how your horses are showing their age. If they are still in good weight and have no problem maintaining that weight, they may not need it. But if your horse is like mine, then they do. My pony has lost muscle mass in his advanced age, so that's some insulation he's missing that younger horses have. Also, he has missing teeth from his advanced age so he's more of a difficult keeper. When it gets to freezing or near freezing he gets blanketed so he doesn't waste precious energy staying warm... If he loses weight in the middle of the winter, there's no way he can gain it back as long as he's burning off so much to stay warm. The blanket comes off whenever possible, like if it gets warmer, or for a bit in the sunshine in the middle of the day. Another factor is if your horses are kept inside or outside, and if they have shelter from the wind. If they're outside and don't have shelter a blanket becomes more important.



Your horses won't have any problems growing winter coats if you only blanket when necessary. My pony gets insanely shaggy every winter despite being blanketed because it usually doesn't get cold enough for his blanket til December, by which time his winter fur is totally in.



I've always been told you can tell if your horse is warm enough by looking at it... if it's shivering, it's cold. In which case a blanket there just in case may be a good idea.



Hope that helped

Answer 2

I have two horses (and live in Minnesota) and blanket one of them every winter. He is part TB so he doesn't get a good witner coat. If you haven't put a blanket on your horse before, I would wait before you buy one. If your horses seem cold or are shivering, I would get them blankets. I usually leave mine on all the time because the wind chill can make winters very cold, as you know, and if there is that strange "warm" day where I don't think they'd need it, I ask the owner of the barn to take it off if I can't get there. (In other words, don't put the blanket on right away, wait until it gets really cold and see how your horses do without blankets.)



Blankets are never a bad idea, especially if your horses are over 20. My grandma has a 28 year old gelding and she blankets him every winter.



Although it has been said that blankets do not keep your horse warmer. They will help protect from the wind. And you shouldn't so much listen to the people who don't own horses in Minnesota because they don't know what are winters are like.

Answer 3

If you have an older horse or a horse that doesn't grow a good winter coat blanketing can be a good idea. Also, horses tat get clipped in the winter often get sheeted or blanketed from clipping on until the weather warms up significantly.



All the thin coated horses where I ride are just starting to get blanketed, but it gets nowhere near as cold here as it does where you are. The nights have been dipping into the 40s and the trainer decided it was time to toss blankets onto all of the school horses when it was 49 at 8pm and dropping. They're all older though, most of them are TBs as well and they don't grow much of a coat even without blankets.



If your horses are doing fine without and you don't clip them I don't see any reason to start blanketing them suddenly. But as they are older and it gets cold there I would watch them throughout the winter and get them at least sheets if they start showing signs of being cold.

Answer 4

There is really no cons to putting a blanket on your horse. Unless you count that the horse could rip it. What people are saying about blankets will not let them grow winter hair is very wrong. The reason is horses grow more/or less hair depending on the season. It has to do with the amount of sun light. In show barns horses that have blankets and have short hair are alot under lights for 6 more hours. More light the horses body still thinks its summer. Since you only have two its a great idea. Hope I helped

Kyle Johnson

Critterfittershoeing.com

Answer 5

A lot of great advice here, and it does depend on other factors, such as, are they stalled at night, do they have a run-in shelter, do they grow good winter coats, etc.



I think in general it is best not to blanket as long as the horses are in good health and grow nice fluffy winter coats.



However, for older horses, I also don't think it would be a bad idea to get a couple of inexpensive blankets, perhaps for those nights when it gets really extremely frigid, and for certain weather conditions. Hard driving, cold rain or sleet can soak their coats and leave them very chilly, so giving them a layer of protection against that kind of yucky precipitation is a good idea.



I usually don't advocate buying 'cheap' blankets, because you really do get what you pay for, and it's a better investment to buy a quality blanket if they are going to be used daily.



But for only occassional wear.... there are many very inexpensive blankets out there. I've been in the same situation, where I had an older horse that lived outside (with a run in barn) and had a blanket only for occassional use, like freezing rain or nights when the temperature dipped way below normal. So I had a very cheap blanket, only used it a couple of times a year and it held up great for many years.



Take a look at Dover Saddlery, I think they have the best selection of inexpensive blankets. I would look for something cheap and waterproof.



Or perhaps something like a waterproof sheet (just to help the horse stay dry during freezing rain/sleet) and if you feel like it, try making your own blanket liner that can go under the waterproof sheet on very very cold nights. I made one out of a thick fluffy polarfleece, bought for only a couple of bucks at the craft store, held in place securely by a web blanket surcingle (can be bought at Dover for a few dollars.)



It was great, because I only used it a couple of times a year under the cheapo blanket, and it cost me a fraction of what a premade blanket liner would cost from the catalog.

Answer 6

Living in Texas I only use a blanket on the Arabian and a very, very old pony when the weather goes from 80 something to the thirties in one day. Here along the gulf coast the horses don't always have the advantage of cooler weather to start growing a winter coat. I usually just leave the blanket on over night and take it off again the next day unless the wind chill factor is keeping the temps down all day.

If you use a blanket, buckle and secure from front of the horse to back when putting it on and unbuckle from back to front when taking it off. - Hope this helps

Answer 7

horses fair better than people think in winter.the problem with blankets is they keep a horses winter coat from coming in.blankets are used for show horses and other's who want a smooth coat(dressage,hunter jumper,western pleasure)who show in the winter.it tricks the horses coat into thinking its warm all the time.a horse is a very well developed animal they have been living for millions of years in cold and heat way before the invention of blankets.i dont leave halters on my horses or anything else that can get caught,or could cut the horse when i am not there.a good pole barn where your horses can get out of the wind would be far better than a blanket.hope this helps

Answer 8

While I don't usually blanket my horses in winter, it isn't a bad idea to get one for an aged horse in an area as cold as Minnesota. Make sure whatever you get is weatherproof, fits properly and has leg straps. You may also want to get a spare blanket in case the one being worn needs to be cleaned or repaired. You should also be certain to remove the blanket occasionally to make sure your horse isn't losing weight or has developed a bad rub mark or sore underneath.

To find the size you need, most websites or tack shops can tell you how to measure your horse for a proper fit.

Answer 9

Pros: Well, it oviously keeps your horse warm and a little cleaner in the winter time. It's good especially for older horses in colder climates because if they get too cold, it could cause joint problems and such.

Cons: I can't really think of any, except that make sure when you put it on, that it is pretty secure. Sometimes the blankets fall off, or get caught on something, then you've got one unhappy horse.

Answer 10

What has happened to the old country type riding and horses? I live in Oklahoma, and they are country horses, that stay in the pasture and barns or stable. They have none of those extra things and are just fine. That is how they were created, same as the horses of the wild and wild mustangs.

Their coats grow and get fluffy to keep them warm, as outside dogs do and pigs. They need a shed or shelter for rain and really cold weather, that is all.====

Answer 11

I blanket both my geldings during cold nights or very windy days. Mostly if its below or going to be around freezing (32 degrees) Alot of people go back and forth with the idea and its really up to you and up to your horse. I know they aren't always cold just because we think they are cold or because we are cold. I normally touch my lips to my horses ears to see how chilled they are and used that as a indicator of there body temps. Not sure if that is accurate but I use that. I also give hay and a little sweet feed to my boys to try to get them fat for the winter months.

Answer 12

God designed each of His creatures, that include animals, with natural body protective defenses for survival. The horses' coat, when exposed to sun becomes sparse, but when cold season comes in, it becomes thicker. As the horse grows older, sometimes, his coat becomes sparse. Also when he becomes sick, then his coat is also affected.



For a young, strong and healthy horse, he can survive cold seasons. The older and frail ones need TLC, hence the need to check on them regularly during the cold season, if they have ample warm covering. Ha!Ha! Just like people... we don't like the cold as we grow older...That's why some old people move from cold states to warmer areas.

Answer 13

If you blanket too early in the season and 24/7 it will prevent them from growing a winter coat which is more important.

Answer 14

I live in NW south dakota and I've never used a blanket on my horses...don't even know how to put one on a horse...lol...a lot of people say they keep the horse warm....others say they don't...if you have a shelter for your horse to go into...it should be just fine without a blanket...best wishes.

Answer 15

Pros: They keep the horses cleaner, they keep their hair shorter so if you want to ride it wont be so hard to groom them, they dont let your horse's coats get wet



Cons: there has been proof that blankets do NOT keep your horse warmer ( article in Horse Illistrated), they are expensive, they rip easy, and they have to be washed.

Answer 16

i blanket my horse. the negative of blanketing is that the blanket prevents the winter hair from growing...





HAPPY BLANKETING :]

Answer 17

i have a 23 year old Arabian and i live in upstate new york and he is perfectly fine

Answer 18

I found this link for you. I think it will help answer some questions for you.



http://www.equisearch.com/horses_riding_training/tack_apparel/miscellaneous/eqblanket2649/



Hope this helps!

Answer 19

no that won't do anything. they get all fluffy in the winter so they should be fine.