HORSE BLANKETS! I NEED HELP AND FAST?
okay so i was going to get my first horse and i got all my regular stuff. boots, girth, and even got my saddle fitted, and all the rest. but one thing i need help on is blankets. since their are a LOT of blanket types, i was wondering if you guys could help me figure out which ones i whould need and if you guys can explain to me all the types of blankets and what their uses are for. here are the lists of blankets that i would like to have explained:
fly sheet
turnout
shipping blanket
cooler
dress sheet
rain sheet
stable blanket
stable sheet
thermal sheet
show scrim
quarter sheet
i kow this is a lot but still i would LOVE it if you guys could help me out. thanks ssososososos much!!!!
Asked by:Sera L
U dont need a blanket in the SUMMER
stable blanket or stable sheet!!! ;D hf!
Determining the right horse blanket fit is extremely important so as to ensure your horse’s comfort and safety. Unfortunately many aren’t sure what to look for or how to determine a horse’s ideal blanket size, and that’s what this brief guide aims to clarify.
When determining your horse’s size you should use a tape measure and begin from the middle of the horse’s chest and continue across the length of its body until its tail. If the measurement is an odd number then add one to the total value as horse blankets are sold in even sizes.
Number alone does not determine a perfect fit since manufacturers vary their cuts and sizes somewhat. Once you have determined your horse’s measurements do the following checks:
When the surcingles (the straps along the middle torso of the blanket) are tightened is there approximately one hand’s width of space provided? If the surcingles and leg straps are too loose your horse’s hoof could get caught up in it, causing potential injury.
Does the neck and shoulder areas allow you to comfortably run your hand between the blanket and the horse? If not, the blanket could cause discomfort and rubbing (thereby removing the hair in the rubbed region).
Does the blanket allow your horse to maneuver without any problem? You’ll want your horse to be able to graze without pressure at the neck and also comfortably trot, run and possibly even buck freely. In fact make sure the backside of the blanket allows your horse to raise its tail so that when nature calls the blanket does not interfere!
Although a blanket can comfort and protect your horse immensely, it must also fit correctly lest it create problems of its own.
hope this helps
fly sheet – thin canvas that keeps the flies off
turnout – thicker and protects him when he’s turned out
shipping blanket – even thicker and sometimes comes with leg protection
cooler – a heavy drape that prevents chills after a bath or after sweating
dress sheet – a sheet to make him look pretty
rain sheet – waterproof sheet for when he’s out in the rain
stable blanket – light weight but a lot of insulation to keep him warm
stable sheet – pretty much the same as a fly sheet
thermal sheet – like a stable blanket but thinner
show scrim – nylon sheet to keep him clean
quarter sheet – bigger than a saddle blanket. covers the flank too.
you really just need the fly sheet and stable blanket, and maybe a shipping blanket. you don’t need to go all out and get all these for him.