Long Yearling Winter Blankets

[sass2013]

Okay guys… I have a somewhat challenging issue I need help with!

I have a long yearling (actually approx. 19 months old) thoroughbred. He was malnourished as a weanling so he is a late bloomer! However I am needing to purchase a winter blanket for him for this year (my horses will be out 24/7 unless extreme weather until I move onto the property in January) and can’t seem to figure out what size to get him!

I’ve considered buying him a pony sheet, but I’ve heard weird things about the way that they fit yearlings… here are his measurements:

58" tall (ground to withers)
62" tall (ground to point of hip)
62" from middle of chest to tail

any suggestions about blanket sizing? or blanket brand? I’ll take all the help I can get at this point!

TIA!

[Simkie]

What’s the challenge here?

Buy a blanket that fits his measurement (62") or perhaps one size up. If he’s narrow, I’ve found Centaur to fit narrow horses well. Be prepared that you might have to buy something new mid way through winter if he grows out of his clothes. I’d go with something durable but not costly for that reason

[China_Doll]

You really need several for weather chenges and damage. I wouldn’t blampnket if you are not prepared to change them with the day to day temp changes.

[JB]

Yep, just buy something that’s 1 size bigger (if it’s a blanket that runs true to size), or modify that based on whether it runs small or large.

Your bigger issue is whether a given blanket fits the rest of his conformation, particularly his shoulder and base of neck area. You can almost entirely avoid that by going with a high neck version, so there’s no real gap at the neck like with a regular blanket.

Assuming you aren’t somewhere that gets just horribly cold and wet, then a medium weight blanket should do him for a huge range of weather. I highly recommend Schneiders.

[sass2013]

Thank you guys for your thoughts on this! I should’ve been more specific with what my issue was… which JB hit right on the mark. His conformation is so awkward right now, that it’s hard to be confident buying any blankets. However it seems I just have to bite the bullet, buy a size bigger, and hope for the best!

China Doll, thank you for your concerns. I do understand how blanketing works, and will be able to (or the current people living on the property are willing to) blanket/unblanket/change blankets as needed, I just will not be LIVING there to be able to stall him “just because it’s cold,” which is why I am getting him a blanket (besides, as he is a yearling, he is MUCH happier when he gets to be outside:)

Thank you for making sure I understand, it’s good to see people concerned with horse health and safety!