Choosing a Blanket
There are so many choices available on the market for horse blankets - how do you know how to make the best choice for your horse? Here are five key considerations to make that will help you decide how to choose from the many types of horse blankets out there.

Consideration #1: Denier Count

The denier count refers to the mass in grams of a single fiber 9000 meters in length. It is the li-near mass density of the material, meaning that a higher denier count refers to a more durable, lasting and rugged fabric. Horse blankets that are most affordably priced are often at a denier count of 600D, such as the Amigo Hero 600D Medium Turnout With Leg Arches. These blankets are great for use for a sin-gle year, or for horses that are very quiet and do not play with their paddock mates. For younger horses, these typically tear and need repair regularly. It’s therefore likely worth the investment of at least a 1200D blanket, which is much hardier. For horses that play a lot or seem to be very destructive to their blankets for whatever reason, it’s possible to get horse blankets of 1680D, like the Weatherbeeta Comfitec Ultra Cozi Detach-A-Neck Heavy or even 2000D material, such as that found in the Shires Stormcheeta Turnout Blanket 200G! Although the initial investment costs more for these high-quality fabrics, you won’t need to replace them repeatedly like you would with one with a lower denier count.

Consideration #2: Climate

The warmth of the blanket is measured in grams of fill. Depending on where you live, you may need more than one winter blanket. For extreme cold and for horses living outdoors, there are blankets with 350-400 grams of polyfill insulation, as is found in the Rambo Original Turnout 400g . These are necessary for colder climates where temperature drops far below freezing for at least part of the winter months. For moderate temperatures and for horses that live outside and are unclipped, often a blanket of 200 - 250 grams of fill is sufficient, such as that found in the Amigo Bravo 1200D Medium Turnout with Leg Arches. Some horse owners will choose a medium weight turnout blanket for the winter and combine it with warmer liners when the temperature drops. If your horse is unclipped and you’ve given it a chance to grow a decent winter coat, the medium weight can be used for the entire winter. For warmer climates, these medium and heavyweight blankets may be too much. There are also lined turnouts you can find with just 100g of warmth.

Consideration #3: Design

The design of the blanket will affect whether it fits your horse well or not. If your horse has a broad chest and wide shoulders, chances are good you need to look for a blanket that has a specific consideration for horses with that build. Alternatively, many blankets shoulder gussets designed for extra freedom in that area, like the Weatherbeeta Comfitec Premier Trio Detach-A-Neck Medium. Having a neckline that is standard, such as that found in the Weatherbeeta Cotton Sheet Standard Neck is terrific for most horses, but on some, the neckline just doesn’t stay in place, and slides back because of the conformation of the horse. In cases like that, options in design for high necks, like that seen in blankets such as the Weatherbeeta Comfitec Plus High Neck Medium, or combination necks, like that in the Weatherbeeta Essential Mesh Combo Neck can help keep the blanket in place. For versatility, many horse owners prefer a removable neck piece, such as that found in the Weatherbeeta Comfitech Airflow Detach-A-Neck.

 

Consideration #4: Style and Color

Horse blankets come in many styles and colors, and the range to choose from can be vast for certain blankets. Others only have one color feature in that specific denier count, weight and neck. There are blankets that have a very straight cut along the bottom edge, and there are blankets with contours designed for freedom of movement such as the Amigo Hero 600D Medium Turnout with Leg Arches Of course, personal preference and taste will play into your decision. There are fun prints or very classic, tasteful designs that look great on any horse.

Consideration #5: Price Point

As with any horse clothing item or item of tack, there are various price points reflecting quality and features. When choosing the price point that is right for you, it’s important to think about longevity with blankets. For a horse that is tough on blankets, buying two or three 600D turnouts in one winter because he keeps destroying them ends up being more money than investing in one 1200D turnout that lasts. For a horse that is good on blankets or when you must buy many blankets at once, the 600D can serve you well, and save you some money. The more expensive blankets are usually worth every penny for fit and durability. The best ad-vice is to choose wisely, and invest in the best blanket you can fit into your budget.  
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