When to blanket a horse

When to Blanket a Horse: A Comprehensive Guide with Just Enough Sass to Keep You Awake

Ah, the age-old question of when to blanket a horse. Right up there with “Is this normal horse behavior?” (probably not) and “How did I get hay in my socks again?” The answer is… complicated. Because, much like your Aunt Karen’s decision to wear flip-flops in the snow, every horse has different levels of tolerance when it comes to cold weather.

So, grab a hot beverage, sit back, and let’s unravel the mysteries of equine outerwear. And yes, this guide is for both first-time horse owners and seasoned pros who still second-guess themselves every single winter. No judgment here.

The Short Answer (For Those Who Need to Get Back to Mucking Stalls)

If your horse is:

Clipped: Blanket
Old or young: Probably blanket
Naturally thin or struggles to maintain weight: Blanket
Stabled a lot: Likely blanket
Built like a tank and living their best life in a field: Maybe not
A Viking in a previous life: Definitely not

Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s dive into the nitty-gritty.

The Science-y Stuff (But in Layman’s Terms, I Promise)

Horses, unlike humans, come with their own fur coats. Wild horses in the freezing tundra don’t pop into the nearest tack shop for a fleece-lined blanket. Instead, they develop a thick winter coat that acts as insulation by trapping warm air close to the body. Their digestive system also helps keep them warm—constant hay munching is basically an internal furnace.

But domestic horses? They’re living a life of partial luxury (or inconvenience, depending on how you look at it). We clip them, stable them, and sometimes turn them into delicate little flowers that do need an extra layer. So, before you run out and spend a small fortune on a blanket wardrobe that rivals your own closet, let’s consider a few key factors.

1. The Temperature Rule (But Also, the Horse Rule)

50°F+ – No blanket needed. Your horse is fine. They’re laughing at you.
40-50°F – Light sheet if clipped. Otherwise, still fine.
30-40°F – Medium-weight blanket for clipped horses. Maybe a light one for seniors or hard keepers.
20-30°F – Heavyweight blanket for clipped horses. Medium-weight for others who need it.
Below 20°F – Layer up! Heavyweight blanket, maybe even a liner. If your horse could talk, they’d say, “Thank you, hooman.”

Of course, this is just a guideline. Some horses (looking at you, wooly Mustangs) will be perfectly happy rolling in the snow while you’re out there, layering them up like an overprotective parent on their kid’s first day of kindergarten.

2. When to blanket a horse – Is Your Horse Clipped?

Clipping is like giving your horse an extreme makeover that also removes their ability to self-regulate temperature. If your horse is clipped for showing, performance, or just because you like the aesthetic, then congratulations—you’ve just signed up for blanket duty. Hope you enjoy checking the weather app every three hours.

Full Clip: Your horse is now a high-maintenance diva and will need layers at all times.
Trace Clip: They still need blankets, but you might not have to go full Eskimo-mode.
Minimal Clip: You’ve kept most of their natural insulation, so blanket according to general temperature guidelines.

3. When to blanket a horse – Age and Health Matter

Senior horses sometimes struggle to stay warm. Metabolism slows, joints ache, and they give you that look that says, “I used to be tough, but now I appreciate the finer things, like extra hay and retirement.”
Young horses might not have developed a solid winter coat yet. Plus, they have the attention span of a goldfish and probably won’t realize they’re cold until they’re shivering.
Underweight horses don’t have enough body fat to help regulate temperature, so they’ll need extra warmth.

4. Wet and Windy Weather? Blanket Up.

A dry, fuzzy horse can stay warm in pretty chilly temperatures. A wet, shivering horse? Not so much. If rain or sleet is in the forecast, a waterproof turnout sheet is your best friend. Wind? Another major culprit. Even the hairiest horses can struggle when the wind whips through their coat like a bad hair day.

Pro tip: If you touch your horse and they feel damp under their blanket, congratulations! You’ve created a personal sauna. Adjust accordingly.

5. The “Do They Look Miserable?” Test

Horses have body language that screams (or at least whispers), “I’m cold. Help.” If you see any of the following, it might be time to throw on a blanket:

Shivering (obviously)
Tucked-up belly
Hunched posture
Holding a sign that says, “Please give me a blanket”

Okay, maybe not that last one. But you get the idea.

Common Blanket Mistakes (Because We’ve All Been There)

Over-blanketing – Yes, your horse can overheat. A sweaty horse in winter is not a happy horse.
Forgetting to check underneath – That fancy new blanket might be rubbing them raw. Check for hair loss or sores.
Not adjusting for the weather – A sunny 50°F day in a heavy blanket = one grumpy, sweaty horse.
Thinking every horse needs a blanket – Some breeds (like Icelandics or certain drafts) look at winter like a minor inconvenience. Don’t mess with nature unless necessary.

Final Thoughts on when to blanket a horse (aka, Your Horse is Not a Human, No Matter How Much They Manipulate You)

At the end of the day, blanketing is about common sense, a little trial and error, and knowing your horse’s individual needs. If they’re out there in the pasture, rolling in the snow with a smile (yes, horses smile, don’t argue), maybe they’re fine without a blanket. But if they’re standing by the gate, looking at you like you personally offended them by making them exist in the cold, maybe toss a blanket their way.

And remember: Checking on your horse frequently is more important than any hard-and-fast rule. Because even with all this knowledge, horses love to surprise us (and by “surprise,” I mean “find new ways to make us worry”).

Now go forth, blanket wisely, and try not to trip over your own feet in the process. Good luck!

This may help too: how to measure horse for blanket

Best

PS Please do leave a comment below if you’d like to anything!