Ah, blanketing season. The time of year when the temperature drops, the group chats ignite, and equestrians everywhere collectively lose their minds trying to decide if their horse is cold.
Because let’s be honest...few topics cause more barn-side debates than the question: “Should I blanket my horse?”
And like most things in the horse world, the answer is… it depends.
So before you find yourself standing in the tack room at 10 PM scrolling through weather apps and second-guessing every life choice, let’s talk through it.
Why We Blanket (and It’s Totally Valid)
Let’s start with the pro-blanket camp—the people who break out the midweights at the first sign of frost and have a spreadsheet for every temperature range.
There are plenty of legitimate reasons to throw a rug on your horse:
1. Clipped horses need help.
If your horse is clipped for winter riding, they’ve lost their natural insulation. That sleek coat might look great, but it doesn’t hold warmth like nature intended.
2. Older or underweight horses.
Seniors, hard keepers, or horses coming back from illness often struggle to maintain weight and body heat. A well-fitted blanket can help them conserve calories and stay comfortable.
3. Harsh climates or wind exposure.
If your horse lives in a windy field or somewhere with freezing rain and zero shelter, blanketing can be a real kindness—even if they’ve got a good winter coat.
Bottom line? Blanketing isn’t overprotective—it’s about knowing your horse’s individual needs. If your horse is happier, healthier, or more comfortable in a blanket, that’s a valid reason. No guilt required.
Why We Don’t Blanket (and That’s Valid, Too)
On the other hand, some horses thrive in their birthday suits all winter long—and their owners sleep just fine at night.
Here’s why the no-blanket camp has a point, too:
1. Nature designed horses for this.
Horses grow incredible winter coats with built-in temperature control. Those fluffy layers trap warm air close to the body, and the hairs can even stand up or flatten down depending on the temperature.
2. Shelter + good forage = natural warmth.
A run-in shed, windbreak, and consistent access to hay go a long way. Digesting forage creates internal heat, so sometimes a full hay net is more effective than another blanket layer.
3. Blankets can backfire.
Overblanketing can cause sweating, which then chills the horse once the temperature drops. Plus, heavy blankets can flatten the coat and actually reduce the horse’s natural insulation.
4. Less laundry, fewer straps, less stress.
Let’s not ignore the human element: blankets are expensive, time-consuming, and mysteriously capable of self-destructing in turnout. Not blanketing can sometimes mean less drama (and fewer vet calls about a horse who Houdini’d his way out of a $300 rug).
Again, this isn’t about “toughing it out.” Some horses just don’t need it. They’re built like fuzzy yaks, live in social herds, and stay warm by moving—and that’s perfectly okay.
The Myth of the Perfect Temperature Chart
Every winter, the same blanket charts make the rounds on social media—neat little infographics telling you exactly what weight of blanket to use at each temperature.
And while those can be helpful as a starting point, they’re not gospel. Because here’s the truth:
no two horses (or barns) are the same.
A 30°F night in rainy Oregon feels nothing like a 30°F night in crisp Montana. A clipped Thoroughbred in a windy field will have totally different needs than a fuzzy pony with 24/7 hay and a buddy to snuggle with.
So sure, glance at the chart. But also? Look at your horse. Touch their ears, chest, and flank. Notice their behavior. Are they shivering? Sweating? Acting content? That tells you far more than a color-coded grid ever will.
Other Factors to Keep in Mind
There’s a whole spectrum of “it depends” in this conversation. A few extra things worth considering:
Health status: Horses recovering from illness or injury may need more warmth to conserve energy.
Age: Seniors don’t regulate temperature as efficiently.
Breed and build: A chunky Cob isn’t the same as a sleek Arabian when it comes to winter tolerance.
Shelter and turnout: Access to dry, wind-free shelter changes everything.
Coat condition: A dull or patchy winter coat might indicate nutritional gaps or metabolic issues—not just bad luck.
You don’t need a PhD in thermoregulation to figure it out—just awareness, observation, and a bit of trial and error.
So… What’s the Right Answer?
If you were hoping for a definitive “always” or “never,” sorry, this isn’t that kind of blog.
Because the truth is, the right blanketing decision is the one that works for your horse, in your climate, with your resources.
Some winters, you’ll nail it. Other times, you’ll find yourself standing in the dark swapping blankets for the third time because the weather app lied again. (We’ve all been there.)
What matters most is paying attention—to your horse’s comfort, their environment, and how they’re coping.
Blanketing isn’t a moral issue. It doesn’t make you a better or worse horse owner—just one doing their best to keep a very opinionated 1,000-pound creature comfortable through the weirdest season of the year.
So when in doubt:
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Know your horse.
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Get advice from people you trust.
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Don’t be afraid to experiment and adjust.
And if your barn group chat turns into a blanketing debate… just smile, nod, and quietly do whatever works for you.
Because at the end of the day, your horse doesn’t care who “won” the argument—they just want to be warm, dry, and loved.