Buying a blanket collection--how many? what weights? Help!

[Natalie]

So I’m finding myself in the process of buying a (first) horse a bit unexpectedly (long story), and given the time of year, I’ll need to pick up some blankets pretty quickly. I’ve been in the horse world since I was a kid and have a pretty decent amount of horse care knowledge, but I’ve realized that there are some specifics that I’ve never had to think about, having never owned, only leased or ridden schoolies.

My guy is a light QH-type that doesn’t grow a super wooly pony coat, so he’ll definitely need a heavy turnout for central MD winters. He’ll either be on 12/12 stall/turnout or out 24/7 with a run-in, depending on what he seems happiest with. Access to lots of grass until it goes, then hay and grain as needed.

So right now, I’m thinking I’ll need:

1. one light turnout sheet for chilly nights when the temps drop into the 40’s or so.
2. one heavy duty turnout (with extended neck) for dead-of winter when temps range from the teens at night to 20’s/30’s during the day. If he ends up on 24/7 turnout I might consider one with a hood instead of just the extended neck.
3. a liner to back up either of the above blankets for an extra layer, to make the light closer to a midweight and the heavy extra warm for the rare days it gets super cold and windy here.

So am I missing anything? Do I need a midweight turnout as well? If he’s on 12/12, is it better to use a stable blanket inside and switch to a turnout to go out? (I don’t think I’ve ever been in a barn that does this–it’s turnouts for everything).

[Callista17]

I like an antisweat sheet/cooler as well.
I have medium weights, then I put the liners under them, but mine are inside more often and go out for a few hours.
I have been at barns with the non water prood stable sheets, and blankets and bakers and switching all the time, but I prefer the waterproof and layers. Just make sure there’s leg straps! I like to order extra leg straps I don’t get desperate in winter with duct tape and bailing twine:-D
Congrats on your new horse, and have fun!

[WildandWickedWarmblo]

Rambo turnouts do not slip so you do not need leg straps with them.
Get an unfilled rug with a detachable neck rug. You can buy liners for the rug, but have to buy filled neck rugs to use when it is too cold for the unfilled neck rug.

Make sure you buy a turnout rug that has the attachments to attach the liners to. Some rambos like the original, I think, do not have this, but the supreme and optimo and varilayer are good with all the rambo liners. Also the wugs may not provide the attachments for liners.

Adams has a sale on now for some sizes and weights, btw.

[luvmyhackney]

I’m in NoVa, and have a moderate amount of blankets. I do trace clip during the winter though:
1- No Fill Turnout - rainy/wet below 60* or breezy cool
1- Med Weight Turnout with Matching neck cover - under 45*- rainy, yucky
1 -Med weight stable blanket with belly wrap add this to the midweight turnout if below 20* or any wet weather.

1- Wool fitted cooler to cover entire body
1- Antisweat sheet

I layer as needed, but mine isn’t out 24/7 during the winter. He hates being cold. I use a stable blanket under so the barn staff only has to take off the turnout and leave the stable blanket when he is inside. He’s a hairy pony but is trace clipped.

[Natalie]

Thanks for the advice so far everyone–it seems like my line of thinking is in the right direction, and I really appreciate the extra tips and specifics. Does anyone have any brands/types they particularly like? I know Rambos and the Rambo Wugs are pretty tried-and-true, but I know my old trainer picked up some nice less expensive blankets from Smartpak and Dover over the years that held up really well. And any in particular to stay away from?

[Callista17]

I hate the Saxons. I have seen them, used them, but for me personally, I think they end up looking like miniskirts. I had one for my thin bodied tb and she looked like she had on a midriff. I like the other Weatherbettas though…
I have had luck with Tough Ones though. I was pleasantly surprised.

[Simkie]

Man, I really don’t think I’d skip a mid weight. I use that and the 100g blanket the MOST. The heavies rarely get pulled out–we’re talking used perhaps a week a year. You’ll get far more use out of a sheet, a medium and a liner, IMO. If you’re doing a full body clip, maybe you want a dedicated heavy weight, but still…don’t skip the medium.

Rambos are my person go-tos, but can certainly be spendy. I had pleasantly good luck with the stuff from SSTack if you want to save some scratch…went with the euro cut and they held up well.

Oh, and with all the money in the world, this is what I’d do:

Rambo sheet
Rambo 100g
Rambo Wug medium
Rambo Supreme heavy

But that’s over a grand in blankets, so pare down as needed :lol:

[LilyandBaron]

Mine are warthogs who love to roll in mud. I also have two with thinnish coats - but they are in good weight and not seniors, so mediums are totally enough unless wind chills are negative. I only use heavies when there are the freeze warnings, but hay keeps horses pretty warm. Mine also have run-ins or are stalled at night, so heavy blankets are not that important. I have two no fills per horse, 1 100 gram each, 2-3 mediums for each, and only 2 heavies -1 for each of the thin-coated horses (i have three horses, third horse is a literal fur cow!!!). I can rotate blankets as needed to hose off and dry, or take in for repairs if needed. All of mine can wear Amigos, same size, and they are all differently shaped - sisterhood of the traveling blanket! I have gotten a few Rambos on sale at times, too. I have coolers for post-workout but no stable sheets. And I can layer a 100 and medium to get a heavy weight if needed. Get a medium or two, and a 100g and 0g, then see if you need a heavy later…

[WildandWickedWarmblo]

@Simkie

Man, I really don’t think I’d skip a mid weight. I use that and the 100g blanket the MOST. The heavies rarely get pulled out–we’re talking used perhaps a week a year. You’ll get far more use out of a sheet, a medium and a liner, IMO. If you’re doing a full body clip, maybe you want a dedicated heavy weight, but still…don’t skip the medium.

Rambos are my person go-tos, but can certainly be spendy. I had pleasantly good luck with the stuff from SSTack if you want to save some scratch…went with the euro cut and they held up well.

Oh, and with all the money in the world, this is what I’d do:

Rambo sheet
Rambo 100g
Rambo Wug medium
Rambo Supreme heavy

But that’s over a grand in blankets, so pare down as needed :lol:

Adams has some of the Rambos on sale for $249. Colors are being changed so they are on sale. Your horse won’t mind the “old” last year color.

[Horseman15]

I’m a little North of you. A sheet, a medium weight, which you’ll probably use most and a heavy weight. Most of the time my gelding (OTTB), who’s idea of a winter coat is to add a few extra long hairs here and there to his summer coat, wears his medium weight until it gets in to the 20’s. If you’re in the mountains you may want to consider a heavyweight with a neck rug

[demidq]

You will find as many opinions as horse owners!
Horses suffer more from being too hot than being on the cool side, don’t over blanket. How cold is your coldest day down there? What is your horse used to in his previous home?
If he is out 24/7 with a run in, make sure he has enough hay ( and drinkable water) as that is an important heater for horsie. Cold and wet is much harder on a horse than dry cold. Freezing rain is shitty for them and everyone else.
Up here our winters go down to about -25 C (-5F) fairly often. My horse is out all day and in at night. She wears a 100gm stable sheet when temps drop to below 0C (32F), and I ramp that up to a 250gm one when it gets colder. Our barn is well ventilated and not heated (heated buckets tho)
Outside I use a good rain sheet in the fall, then move to a medium turnout. Once the stable blankets go on, I go back to rain sheet then medium weight. I layer over the stable sheet to make it easier for barn staff.
I rarely use my super warm weatherbeeta with neck warmer. Mind you, horse is not clipped but she doesn’t grow a super thick coat.
If I had to start from scratch, I’d get 2 rain sheets, 1 med and 1 heavy weight turnout, 1-2 stable sheets, 1 100gm stable blanket and one 250-300gm stable blanket. High neck wool cooler (NOT synthetic- sparks in winter!) and an Irish knit cooler.
Opinions vary, but I have had good luck with Schneiders which do carry a shapes for QHs. They also fit nicely at the neck. It never hurts to give all turnouts a spray of waterproofer before using. Camp spray works great.

[joiedevie99]

I find that my horses end up with rubs when I layer, so I get them each 3 mandatory items: Turnout Sheet, ~200g medium weight turnout blanket, ~400g heavyweight turnout blanket with hood.

I always keep some sort of thick fleece cooler and an anti-sweat or irish rug (current favorite is the Rambo Airmax due to speedy dry time) around as well (and a pair of body clippers).

My barn changes them into dry clothes at night, so mine also have stable sheets, medium weight stable blankets, and heavy stable blankets - but those are absolutely not necessary if you purchase breathable turnouts.

[Dutchmare433]

I stick with all turnout blankets, it’s just easier. I always make sure I have 2 waterproof sheets, so they can be swapped out to dry. I also have 2 mid weights, and 1 heavy weight with a hood. I have a Rambo Optimo, so that actually functions as a rain sheet and a heavy weight, as it comes with a detachable 400g liner. (I bought one mid weight used and the rest on huge discount from netequestrian.com) For reference, I used the heavy 3x last year, all when it was under 10*. This year the horse will be clipped so it’ll get used more, but I think a lot of people tend to over blanket (myself included, it’s a real struggle )

[RedHorses]

I’m in the same general area as demidq. I have two horses with different blanket needs in the same situation. Their individual needs will vary with their situation. Both horses live out 24/7, and both get a low, modified trace clip (belly hair below the elbow/stifle line left unclipped) that stops about 8" past the stifle.

One has a rainsheet (Rhino Original) and three stable blankets (150g, 280g, 340g). He has two neck rugs (0g, 150 or 200g - it’s the Rhino Original as well). This horse dislikes being cold and it shows under saddle, so he gets more insulation than the other one. I’m still learning his temperature/blanket needs, but I tend to go one stage heavier than the other horse. My other guy wears his 200g wug, this one wears 280g plus his 0g neck.

My other horse has a Wug rainsheet, Wug midweight, two stable rugs (100g, 280g), and an insulated neck rug (100g). This one tends to wear his midweight for most of the winter and he’s fine. Except when we board somewhere that his paddock is exposed to the wind, then he needs a bit more and the neck rug comes in handy. I’m actually planning to add a 100g turnout to his wardrobe as something to attach the neck to. Usually when he needs the neck he also needs a little extra insulation and I’d just throw the neck and 100g over his midweight. Right now I’m using old, torn blankets as neck rug holders.

I gave up on heavyweights years ago. Too much bulk in storage for too little active use. And my stable quilt plus midweight turnout was just as warm as a heavyweight for the maybe ten days a winter I needed it. My chilly horse’s 340g stable rug was new last year, and he used it a fair bit. Worth the storage, and it’s not as bulky as a heavy turnout.

When layering blankets, ideally the lightest blanket should be on top as it’s the air spaces in the insulation that keep the warmth in, and a heavy blanket will squash the spaces in a lighter one that is underneath. Practically that doesn’t always work.

I’d advise you start with the basics and find out what your horse wants. One of mine wants to be warmer, the other wants to be cooler.

[RedHorses]

Oh, I agree with those who mentioned a cooler. Very good thing to have if you intend to ride all winter. Mine each have a fitted fleece, and I have a mesh and wicking material fitted sheet, and a square wool blend. The fleece is the most often used in the winter - but years of boarding at different barns has taught me that the barn will affect cooling/drying time and different coolers were needed in different places.

[Frivian]

I’m in the DC area, and I haven’t used my heavy in 2 years. My horse gets clipped or partially clipped every winter, so he’s at least partially naked.

Last year I bought the Rambo Supreme turnout sheet, and honestly that was a godsend - the neck rug kept him clean! He wore that more than anything else, since it was so warm last year. And warm winters = lots of mud.

He also has a Rambo Medium weight Wug and that his second most commonly worn blanket. The high neck is enough to keep him warm in most cooler temps. If he were out 24/7, I might consider getting him a mid weight with a full neck cover instead.

I have a heavy, but rarely use it. I’m more likely to layer the turnout sheet on top of the mid weight (as long as the mid weight isn’t muddy). That keeps him really toasty.

Also, multiple fleece coolers, a stable sheet, a back on track mesh sheet for trailering/shows, and an anti-sweat.

[evntr95]

I live in KY, which I think has similar weather to MD. If I had a limited-ish budget, I would get a Rambo lightweight sheet (the supreme is my favorite because it has the detachable neck rug) and a Rambo Duo with an additional 100g and 200g liner (it has a
base weight of 150g and comes with a 300g liner). The Rambo original with leg arches, supreme, and Duo all have attachments for liners, so you have lot of flexibility, particularly if you do opt to clip your horse at some point in the future. And if one needs to go to the cleaners or get repaired, the other can be a sufficient stand-in.

I admit that it’s a lot of money up front, but I’ve found that other blankets just don’t stand up and stay waterproof, season after season. Even the other Horseware products, like the Amigo line, just don’t hold up. Especially if your guy is out 24/7, the waterproofing is going to be critical. And if your guy is like all of my brilliant horses, he probably won’t use the run in like you’d like (or worse, he’ll be lower in the herd and not be allowed in by the top horse(s)).

A cooler also isn’t a bad idea to have around. I have a couple different ones and my favorite by far is my fitted fleece one with a neck, like this: https://www.smartpakequine.com/mobile/pt/11973

If you want a lighter weight cooler as well, I’d recommend a waffle weave anti-sweat over the traditional crocheted style. Shavings do stick to it, but not quite as badly.

[ndirish07]

Take this with a grain of salt as I’m of the mindset blankets=love :lol:. My bf complains my horse as more “coats” than he does, and he’s right.

I only have Rambos because of how they fit and they last. I absolutely LOVE my 100g Rambo. It’s the most versatile blanket around in my opinion. My horse is usually full body clipped and stays out at night in Kentucky so I need to have a variety of options to match our sometimes ever changing weather, so this is what I have. He’s also a diva and hates being cold where as my first horse was trying to bust out of his stall so he could go hang out in the polar vortex and he just in general ran hotter–go figure:

Rambo Sheet (that takes liners) with unlined hood
Rambo 100g–takes liners
Rambo 200g–takes liners
200g hood
100g liner
200g liner.
Thermatex cooler
Waffle weave cooler
Random el-cheapo fleece cooler I’ll use as a liner when I need just a bit more but not a 100g;
Fancy pants, Rambo Fleece cooler I never use because my horse is a pig and will just poop on it and it’s too pretty–no idea what I bought that…oh wait…it’s pretty:cool:.

That said, I personally find the liners to be a pain in the butt. They’re hard to explain to our guys what’s what and it takes more time vs. take blue blanket off and replace with red blanket.

[xQHDQ]

One consideration is layering - I hate layering. I think the horses hate it too. It gets heavy and things rub differently.

Of course that means I have at a minimum: 1) turn-out sheet; 2) med weight turnout; 3) heavy turnout with removable, unlined hood. I also have a California T/O - lighter than a medium, heavier than a sheet (I didn’t buy this one, it came with the horse, but has proven useful). Coolers are a must, too, but not as a blanket - just after a bath or when trailering to a show in that in-between time.

I think we humans tend to over-blanket.

[SonnysMom]

I am a little further north of you in SE PA. I prefer the combo neck blankets rather than a neck cover. I have 2 turnout sheets, 1 midweight combo neck and 1 regular nect midweight and 1 combo neck heavy. I find with that I can layer in any combination I need. I rarely use the heavyweight unless it is really cold. I normally do a trace clip. I really only use the heavy if it is really cold and I have full body clipped. I rarely use it with the trace clip. My horse used to go out at night all year around so he was out when it was colder.
I have a fleece cooler, an Irish knit, a Back on Track mesh sheet but I prefer to not layer with those and they seem to rub.

I personally hate the liner system. You always need to take all the layers off to mix and match and then put the top waterproof layer back on. It seems much more time consuming to me.
For the middle of winter I almost alway use my combo neck midweight as the base layer. I will add the standard neck midweight blanket or standard neck sheet and an additional top layer. I can just remove them as needed and always have that midweight base. My arab cross I virtually have to use high neck or combo neck as the base blanket layer on him since he has high withers. If I use a standard neck then he starts to get sore withers even if he isn’t rubbing on the withers. The standard neck concentrates the pressure too much. For a turnout sheet I can use the Schneiders wither relief blanket. I can also use the standard necks on top of the combo neck since the combo neck adds extra padding and seems to spread the pressure. I also don’t need to layer the midweight on top of the midweight much or for long.