Weights for winter turnout blankets?

[Hermein]

We’re moving soon to a location that has some snow and lots of wind. Several of the horses have never seen snow, let alone had to walk around in it. They all will have shelter, and turnout blankets, but I’m not sure about which weight to order. I don’t think it ever gets down to zero at our new place, but I believe the 30s and 20s are not unusual. They tell me that water freezes if your water line isn’t below 18".

So, would you order heavy cover, medium, or a sheet with a stable blanket to be worn underneath?

Thanks

[SLedbetter]

We’re in New Mexico. Typical cold nights are mid 20’s to low 30’s. I have medium weight blankets for my horses. Have never had to use them yet. Both horses have shelter and wind breaks. May need to use a blanket on my old guy this coming winter, but unless it dips into the low teens or below, I don’t worry about it. Our freeze line is 18" here as well.

[JB]

A medium weight, and either a sheet or a “light blanket” on the order of 80/100gm, should do you just fine. That’s all I have, and I just layer them - lighter on top of heavier - for the worst weather, which is occasionally low single digits, and not infrequently upper teens or low 20s with some wind. Mostly though we’re in the mid-upper 20’s, and most of those nights they don’t need anything because they have acclimated.

You might end up blanketing more, and layering more often, this first Winter, if it’s going to be more than another couple weeks before you get there. That’s fine.

I would not bother with a stable sheet or blanket, not even to use as a base layer. They are more breathable today than 20 years ago, but IMHO they aren’t breathable enough, and you just get far more use out of turnout jammies.

You can also choose to have the medium weight as a high neck, which will also help with the windier times.

[poltroon]

I would do medium weight, (200 g usually) and I like the high neck wug-type cut for turnout blankets. Keeps the rain out and they seem to fit with less binding on the body.

I don’t like to layer blankets - I find it makes the fit a little weird and makes pressure points.

[JB]

Layering does have to be done carefully. I wouldn’t do it on a regular basis - get a heavy blanket if that’s necessary.

But I’ve never had an issue layering the no fill or 80gm fill sheets on top of the medium weight blankets. The straps just get let out a little bit, and there’s no binding.

I’d never layer heavier on top of lighter - I do think that causes more problems, sooner. Besides, lighter on top of heavier gives a bit of air space between the 2 which creates another layer of warmth.

[sophie]

I don’t like to layer blankets / fleece liners and whatnot.
For our New England winters my mare has a 250g fill Med Weight turnout and a 0 (or maybe 100) fill rain sheet with high neck.
Both fit her great and are very waterproof and she’s been doing just fine with the Med weight even during our coldest nights (8 F in the barn).

[tazycat]

Probably a medium weight would be plenty warm. I use heavy weight 350 g fill blankets,if more is needed i put a blanket liner under the blanket. My horses are already getting wooly, so thinking no blankets will be required this winter. You can always add a liner to a medium weight blanket if needed. I don’t double up blankets makes it heavy for them.

[billiebob]

A medium and a light/no-fill turnout for each horse should serve you well in those conditions. IMO snow isn’t nearly as hard on horses as cold rain, so I like to have a lightweight waterproof sheet for those days. I’ve never had a problem layering blankets unless they don’t fit well in the first place.

[luvmyhackney]

I’ve never had issues layering mine but I stick to the same name brand. I have not found the need for heavier than a med. and for the week or few days that I needed a heavier turnout I just used the stable blanket under it as it has a belly wrap. I don’t blanket that often unless below 40 or rain below 65. Blowing rain is what gets them cold real quick.

[joiedevie99]

You’ll need a turnout sheet and a medium weight turnout blanket (around 200g). Whether or not you also need a liner to put under the medium (or a heavy) will depend on the specific climate and your horses.

[Hermein]

Thanks, the blankets I already have are mid weight, or of the sheet variety. I’ll probably have to buy several more, though. I really like the high neck models–lots easier to put on than attached neck covers.

My horses don’t have winter coats–still in the 90s most days–but are STARVING! They need to fatten up because they’re sure they won’t get anything to eat all winter. :rolleyes:

[Palm_Beach]

@Hermein

We’re moving soon to a location that has some snow and lots of wind. Several of the horses have never seen snow, let alone had to walk around in it. They all will have shelter, and turnout blankets, but I’m not sure about which weight to order. I don’t think it ever gets down to zero at our new place, but I believe the 30s and 20s are not unusual. They tell me that water freezes if your water line isn’t below 18".

So, would you order heavy cover, medium, or a sheet with a stable blanket to be worn underneath?

Thanks

Horses are cold weather hardy and need much less protection from the cold than we think. As long as they are healthy and are allowed to grow a winter coat, they don’t need a blanket in the temps you describe. Horses evolved on the steppes of Asia, where it gets 40 degrees below zero, and still live outside today in those conditions.

Some horses don’t like to “share” shelter, leaving others out in the rain, so an unlined/no fill waterproof blanket comes in handy if that is your situation. A wet horse has a harder time regulating temperature, so I’d put on waterproofs if rain is in the forecast.

You don’t want them to sweat with the medium weight blankets - then you have nasty dirty blankets and wet horses. Unless you are there all day and don’t mind removing blankets when the temp swings 20-30 degrees. Always blanket for the warmest temp of the day.

I only ever put waterproofs on if it’s raining, or maybe muddy and in the low 40s, to keep them somewhat clean.

[S1969]

@Hermein

Thanks, the blankets I already have are mid weight, or of the sheet variety. I’ll probably have to buy several more, though. I really like the high neck models–lots easier to put on than attached neck covers.

My horses don’t have winter coats–still in the 90s most days–but are STARVING! They need to fatten up because they’re sure they won’t get anything to eat all winter. :rolleyes:

I bought a WB in late fall that had been under lights and blanketed already whereas my horses are pretty much out 24/7 and had good winter coats. She really was cold that winter, and it was the only time I ever layered blankets for anyone. The following year, however, she grew a much denser coat and did not need much protection.

So I would be prepared to blanket mid to heavy for your horses this year; whether by buying different weights or being prepared to layer them.

My horses tend to wear nothing or a 100 gram/lightweight turnout blanket. If it is windy or rainy they stand in shelters an I put their hay in there so they don’t have to leave. On rare occasions (-20F, for example) I break out the heavier blankets for some of them (250 gram) but I don’t even own heavy weight blankets.

Obviously if any of yours will be clipped, that’s another story altogether.

[GoodTimes]

The other posters have good advice. I’d go with a rain sheet and a mid weight. If you’re not clipping then you’ll have a decent range with those.
You’ll get to know your horses and can adjust/predict as you go along. I’ve got one who has never shivered a day in his life, he runs hot. Even when he’s clipped he’s often wearing less then unclipped horses or else he’ll start to sweat. My other one is very dramatic, especially with regards to a wet cold (we’re in Ontario, this happens a lot). He’ll come in shivering like he’s dying if he gets wet, unless it’s the middle of summer. These two have the same blankets, but when they wear them is very different.