To blanket or not to blanket...

SHOULD YOU BLANKET YOUR HORSE?

When it comes to blanketing horses, opinions can be very divided. Some owners over-blanket, while others refuse to use one at all. The truth lies somewhere in between: it depends on your individual horse, their environment, and their needs.

EVERY HORSE IS DIFFERENT

No two horses are the same. Breed, age, body condition, workload, feeding regime, and living conditions all influence how well a horse copes with the weather. Over the past 100 years, breeding has also changed horses a lot, making some lines more fragile than their hardy ancestors. That’s why the decision to blanket should never be based on a blanket rule (pun intended!) but on the specific horse in front of you.

HOW HORSES STAY WARM

Horses are designed to regulate their temperature in clever ways. While eating forage, their body generates heat - one reason why ad lib hay is so important. Their coats also protect them: hairs lift through a process called piloerection, trapping warm air close to the skin. Horses generally warm up easily but cooling down is harder for them.

WHY I USE RAIN BLANKETS

Here in the Netherlands, we get long stretches of cold rain and wind in winter. My horses live out 24/7 with ad lib hay, a shelter, and plenty of space, yet I choose to use 0g rain blankets in those conditions. Why? Because a horse standing tense and shivering in the rain uses unnecessary energy and can undo other care, like osteopathy treatments. Under a rain sheet, they stay dry, relaxed, and look healthier.

In extreme weather like a windchill of -20°C I’ve even used a light 50g rug. My horses, especially Lenny, clearly appreciated that little extra comfort.

THE DOWNSIDE OF OVER-BLANKETING

While blanketing can help, too much of it can backfire. Heavy rugs can flatten the hair, preventing it from lifting to trap warm air. Over-blanketing may actually make a horse colder. This is why choosing the right weight rug, at the right time, matters.

CLIPPING AND BLANKETING

If you clip your horse, you remove some of their natural insulation. That doesn’t mean they automatically need a heavy rug - it depends on how much you clip and where the horse lives. For horses in regular work, clipping may be necessary, but remember to balance it with appropriate blanketing.

HOW TO TELL IF YOUR HORSE IS COLD

Don’t rely only on feeling under the blanket. That air will always be warmer than the outside.

  Better checks include:

• Feeling behind the ears or between the hind legs
• Monitoring behavior (are they shivering, tense, or standing with their back to the wind?)
• Taking rectal temperature over time to learn your horse’s normal range

Remember: most horses don’t often get truly cold. The worst combination is wind + rain, especially if they have no dry area or blockade from with wind.

BREED AND ORIGINS MATTER

Some breeds are naturally built for harsh conditions - think Icelandic, Fjord, and Shetland. Others, like Arabian and PRE, come from warmer or drier climates. Still, with proper feeding and management, most horses adapt well to where they live.

LESSONS FROM EXPERIENCE

During a strangles outbreak, I observed how much comfort a blanket could bring to sick horses. While it didn’t cure them, it lifted their spirits, making them more resilient during recovery. Sometimes, small choices like offering a rug can make a big difference in wellbeing.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Blanketing is not about following trends or giving in to pressure. It’s about listening to your horse and doing what helps them thrive. Don’t let others judge your choices. If someone asks why your horse is wearing a rug, the simplest answer is:
 “Because that’s what my horse needs right now.”

At the end of the day, informed decisions and confidence in your own research matter most. There’s no one-size-fits-all, only what works best for your horse.

If you have a question about blanketing, feel free to reach out.

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Thanks for reading and as always, keep getting good with horses. 🐴

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