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Dear Gumby and Pokey,
Our new horse had his new blanket only one day before he ripped it up. I want to get him the right kind, one that will be comfortable and safe for him. What should I look for?

Shivering

Pokey says E-mail your question here. Come back later for your answer..

Gumby Says

Pokey Says

Let's start with the decision, does he really need a blanket? Lots of us don't, we grow plenty of hair, and don't really do much all winter but hang out and eat hay. If your horse is working regularly, if he lacks shelter in his turnout area, if you want to keep his coat fairly short, then he may need a blanket of some sort.
Now, about comfort, fit is the key. Blankets are sized in 2 inch increments, except for some of the European styles, which come in 3 inch increments. Measure your horse, from the center of his chest around his side, to his tail. This is his basic size. If he is more than 1/2 inch larger than a size, get the next bigger one. Some brands tend to run big, and others tend to run small. You can try a new blanket on a clean horse by covering him with a sheet and putting the blanket on over that.
Things to look for. First, and most critical, does it bind at the shoulders? If it does, it may be too small, which you will see, or too large, causing it to shift and bind. Is the neck opening the correct size? Some are designed to sit in front of the withers, others are cut back to sit behind the withers. A blanket neck edge should never sit ON the withers, this will hurt. Next check the length of the back. It should come to the base of the tail, or less than one inch over the tail, not including a tail flap if it has one. Many blankets have darts, and shaped backs to make them fit better. This is great if your horse is the same shape as the blanket, if not, they may be in the wrong places for your horse. If so, try another brand, as manufacturers tend to use the same pattern for most of their blankets.
Consider the drop. This is how far the blanket falls down the side of your horse. A very round horse will need a longer drop than a very narrow horse, simply because his barrel takes up some of the fabric. The American cut is what most of us are used to seeing. A European cut blanket has a longer drop. It is also usually less fitted, and often does not have a seam along the back.
Bindings and leg straps need to fit too. Surcingles should be adjusted so that you can get your hand in flat, under the surcingle. This keeps us from getting a leg caught in it, but allow some give as we move or lie down. Leg straps should have some play in them, but not hang down near the hock. A leg strap caught over a hock is really annoying, and an invitation to kick. I like my leg straps linked, one through the other so they do not rub on my sensitive inner thighs.
Finally, be sure not to over blanket. If we get hot, we will try to take the blanket off, and maybe get tangled in it. If we can't get it off, we will get sweaty, and damp, and then chilled.

Ok, Pokey talked about fit. I want to talk about suitability. Blankets come in many fabrics and weights all for different purposes.
First, we have a stable sheet. In the winter, you might use one of these to keep the horse clean but it provides effectively no warmth by itself. The reason is that the sheet flattens the coat, destroying the natural insulation. They are useful to use as a base layer, if you layer blankets, as they wash easily, or to put over a blanket liner to hold it in place.
Second, we have a stable blanket. Lots of people use these. They are terriffic if your hors is mainly stabled, and goes out alone or in a small group only a few hours a day. They are usually not waterproof, nor are they generally sturdy enough to take the wear and tear caused by lots of horseplay.
Third, we come to the turnout rug. They are traditionally made of waxed or oiled canvas, but modern turnout rugs are often Cordura or Gore-tex. They are much sturdier, and waterproofed. They come in a variety of weights with different amounts of insulation. The unlined versions may be listed as turnout sheets. Horses living outside with a shelter, or turned out in large groups will do better in a turnout rug.
Most blankets are designed to have the neck edge in front of the withers. These often are padded with fleece over the top of the neck. Some, mainly those designed for pleasure type horses, have cutbacks, to spare the mane the small amount of rubbing. Some also come with adjustable necks, which are very helpful, especially on a horse with a long shoulder.
Blankets come with different chests too. The traditional blanket has one or two buckles, or t- closures. These are somewhat adjustable, but can break, slip, or bind. Many blankets are now made with closed fronts. These blankets are less drafty, but less adjustable, and must go on and off over the head. Some horses find this frightening. Finally, there are the new systems, such as the Hug closure. This one wraps across the chest and fastens on the side with elastic set into the closure. This is warm, adjustable, and flexible for the horse.
Many blankets are now being made with high necks. Some come halfway up the neck, and some go all the way to the poll. This eliminates the need for a hood, but may be more than you need.
Surcingles come in the straight variety, either one or two. One may be a hidden surcingle, on the inside of the blanket. Crossed surcingles make blankets a bit more stable. You can also get a belly wrap blanket which wraps around the horse and fastens with velcro. These are good as long as his friends don't start playing with the velcro!

Pokey says you can check the archives here, for previous questions and answers..

An American cut blanket, with a closed front, hidden surcingle, and a shaped fit.

A European cut blanket, with a buckle front. Note the longer, boxier fit.

An American cut blanket, with a buckle front, hidden surcingle, shaped fit, and a cutback neck.

A traditional Baker blanket with crossed straps.

A traditional New Zealand Rug, made of waxed canvas. They are very tough.

A Modern Turnout Rug, made of Cordura, with a high neck and shoulder gussets to alow more room for leg movement.

A "Turtle Necked" blanket.

A "Hug" style chest closure.

A belly wrap surcingle with a closed front and a full hood.