Hanging Blankets Inside Stalls

[stb]

@LCDR what a great idea to store the blankets upright like a file! Genius long term storage idea.

During blanket season I store my blankets on a wall in my barn aisle. I have a series of large hooks set up high on the wall (as high as I can reach, basically). I put on/take off blankets over my horses heads so that I don’t have to undo the straps in the front and then I loop the front buckles over the hook on the wall and let the blankets hang from that. This way they dry and are out of the way.

I would never hang a blanket in the stall. One of my horses messes with everything he can get his teeth on.

[lenapesadie]

@beowulf

most horses don’t even need to be blanketed at all in 15-40F if there’s no precipitation

That’s really dependent. My horses aren’t clipped, metabolic, fat or otherwise unhealthy. One is older though. Regardless, both of mine are long term residents of the Deep South and our long daylight hours. Our average winter temperatures are mild. 70s all next week for example. And it shows in their coats. They do not grow the impressive yak coats I see on horses from further North. Mine absolutely need blankets. Maybe my younger horse is “ok” at 40 and naked, but I found my older horse shivering so hard he could barely walk one evening when I was delayed coming home from out of town. He was exposed to 35 F temps for maybe a couple of hours in bone dry dead calm conditions with plenty of good hay in front of him. My younger was uncomfortable cold but not yet shaking with shivers.

Basically, I utterly disagree with your assessment of horses don’t need blankets in 15-40 degrees. Maybe many horses don’t but it depends.

[SMF11]

I went and took a picture of my blanket storage system-- in stalls, but the stalls are almost never used. I like them a lot because you can easily store 4 blankets/sheets on each.

[beowulf]

Of course, if your horse doesn’t have a winter coat they’d need a blanket in winter temperatures. I’m not surprised your older guy needs help either. So does mine.

“Most” was my key word here. Are “many” and “most” synonymous?.

Horses evolved in cold climates and their domestication happened in cold regions. That doesn’t mean don’t blanket them. It means they will tell you their comfort range. Just don’t walk outside and think because you’re(g) cold they’re cold. We evolved in tropics, they didn’t.

[Bluey]

@beowulf

Of course, if your horse doesn’t have a winter coat they’d need a blanket in winter temperatures. I’m not surprised your older guy needs help either. So does mine.

“Most” was my key word here. Are “many” and “most” synonymous?.

Horses evolved in cold climates and their domestication happened in cold regions. That doesn’t mean don’t blanket them. It means they will tell you their comfort range. Just don’t walk outside and think because you’re(g) cold they’re cold. We evolved in tropics, they didn’t.

[lenapesadie]

Blanket statements like most horses don’t need blankets until sub 15 are inaccurate bc it ignores all the horses like mine living in southern latitudes that regularly don’t grow much coat. A more accurate statement might be, most horses living in climates where temperatures are regularly in the 15/40 degree range likely don’t need blankets (eta need blanket in those temps).

Just bc your (g) horse doesn’t die if you don’t blanket him doesn’t mean he wouldn’t be more comfortable with a blanket.

[beowulf]

But boy is it true!!

[foggythistle]

While I ride my horse, his blanket is usually hung on a J-hook on his stall door. He has a full door, and I rigged the j-hook around the sliders so I didn’t have to drill into the wood (not my farm). It hangs high enough that it doesn’t drag on the ground. You might be able to do something like this inside the stall. Especially if the horses are kind enough to not bother or poop on the blankets. The J-hook should be high enough so that the horse can’t poke his eye on it.

[Bluey]

How heavy are the blankets?

There are these rubber hooks, Flex-hook, that a horse should not get hurt on.
We have several of those in places a horse may bump into them by accident and have help up very well:

Flex-Hook for Buckets, 4-pack - Jeffers Pet | Pet Supplies, Horse Supplies,...

[Arzny]

I didn’t mean to start a blanketing debate. Lol.

Anyways, turns out it’s a moot point as our neighbor is letting us borrow some stalls. And he already has blanket bars

[enjoytheride]

I have flex hooks all over and they won’t hold anything besides a sheet.

[beowulf]

Heck after a few years out in the elements mine barely hold up a leather halter

But I much prefer replacing them to having metal ones.

[trubandloki]

I love those rubber hooks, but I can not see them being strong enough for blankets.

[erinmeri]

Our flex hooks stopped supporting halters within weeks. I can’t imagine them working for blankets.

[trubandloki]

I guess I now feel good that my flex hooks are still going strong for halters.

[LCDR]

OP - glad to read that you have solved your problem.

[sascha]

I keep reading the title of this thread as baskets instead of blankets and I think well that’s a lovely touch to brighten things up in a dreary winter, but I’m not sure that inside the stall is really appropriate.

[luvmyhackney]

I do the same. I purchased rafter hooks at Home Depot. That are great and hold heavy wet blankets with no problems.

Everbilt 8 in. Vinyl-Coated Heavy Duty Steel Rafter Hanger in Black 50 lbs … https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-8-in-Vinyl-Coated-Heavy-Duty-Steel-Rafter-Hanger-in-Black-50-lbs-18015/202305459