I’m in need of mid-weight turn out blanket with neck cover for newly acquired QH. Big chest, and big sloping shoulder, even bigger butt. She’s stalled at night and stays in during inclement weather, so it doesn’t have to be the most waterproof model, just breathable. It’s really more for wind protection in blustery New England. She has an assortment of Big D stable blankets and sheets that fit her well. I’d get her a Big D turnout - except that they don’t make a neck cover, just a full hood. We are trying to save the seven remaining hairs that constitute her forelock at this point so no go on a full hood. Amigo has a stock horse line and SmartPak has one as well. Then there’s Schneider’s but the number of different lines is a little overwhelming. Any recommendations for something that has a similar fit to the Big D line? Thanks in advance.
Rockin’ SP blankets from SmartPak are not quite as roomy as Big D (I’ve got both) but not bad and they have neck covers. And SmartPak has free returns on sized items so if it doesn’t work, it’s free to return.
Probably my favorite blanket ever was one of the V-Free blankets from Schneiders. I can’t tell you exactly which one, it came with a big old draft mule I was given and it’s long gone. I loved the way it fit. Although the mule may have had a more upright head/neck carriage than your QH, she certainly had a big chest, big shoulders, and large butt.
NoSuchPerson, Thanks. Maybe I’ll try the SmartPak in a size up.
Another vote for the Rockin SP blankets.
Amigo makes a stock horse line of blankets…I’ve never tried the line but I have a few amigo blankets I like. They have held up very well.
my favorite blanket/neck cover combo I actually got for free after doing a photo shoot for horse.com. The brand is Defender and they are all plaid, some navy, some hunter. They make turnout sheets and a few weights of turnout blankets and of course the matching neck covers. They are very durable…have used them for 6+ years and still going strong and they are extremely affordable at around $60-$75 a blanket.
I have the smartpak one for my Appendix. That line is really for something with a TRUE foundation bulldog QH build. I.e. short back, short body, broad chest & apparently a neck like a perch (the horse, not the fish, since fish necks require little accommodation ).
My guy has a huge, angled shoulder & big round barrel, but at 16 h & a long back, the blanket is a bit short in the drop & length on him. And I did try 2 sizes - I couldn’t go bigger without the neck opening being large enough for my chunky boy to walk through. It’s just an odd cut - I kept it bc I got the heavy weight & I don’t use that but maybe a handful of times a year, so it works OK for that.
On the plus side, it’s very warm (but also heavy). The waterproofing is excellent, it hasn’t rubbed or shifted & in ~1 yr, it shows almost no wear, it hasbeen wworn through some nasty snow/ice storms. However, it is worn by boss horse who has also always been easy on blankets. But he lives out 24/7 & loves to roll, so it’s not just standing in a stall.
It also has rings on the neck so you can attach any neck rug you want. I jury rigged a horseware hood with some snaps & hay string & an old leg strap, works great.
I’m in the UK so I’m not familiar with most of the brands mentioned so far but Weatherbeeta is an excellent fit on my QH. I’m pretty sure that you can get Weatherbeeta in the US too. The comfi-tec is a great fit and no rubbing at the withers.
I also use a Masta Fieldmasta turnout rug. It has a dome neck to stop mane rubbing and it’s worked wonders for my QH. I’m not sure if you can get Masta in the US but a quick google would let you know. It fits really well too and the mane saver is a bonus!
Schneiders has three or four different cuts to fit a variety of horses from quarter horses to Arabians to warmbloods.
You might look at their V-free Adjust-a-fit Fitted models which seem designed for stockier types with a sloped shoulder. Every turnout blanket they offer comes with a matching detachable neck cover, sold separately.
Over the past several years, Schnieders has upgraded the quality of their blankets to the point where they are now every bit as good as the more expensive brands. Check out www.sstack.com - they often have really good sales, too.
