Advice on sweat blankets

Everyone has used them at some point, the sweat blanket! A must have when your horse has sweated in cold weather and cannot immediately go under the outdoor or stable blanket. With a sweat blanket your horse dries without catching a cold. Sweat blankets are also often used for transporting horses in the trailer.

Sweat blankets come in different varieties. Some have surcingles and other blankets have no surcingles or removable surcingles. When you put your horse away in the stable or transport it in a trailer, it is smart to have a blanket with surcingles. But if you put your sweat blanket over your saddle when getting out, it is actually handy not to have surcingles. These do not have to hang loose.

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Fleece blanket

The most popular type of sweat blanket is the fleece blanket. It is cheaper than a wool blanket, and in terms of appearance it is not much inferior. The blanket dries quickly after use. The blanket can be machine washed at a maximum of 40 degrees, without fabric softener.

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Wool blanket

A wool blanket is a bit more expensive than a fleece blanket, but the quality is a lot better. Wool blankets are sturdy and look chic. They are heavier and keep your horse warmer. Your horse dries very quickly under a wool blanket. A wool blanket can be washed at a maximum of 30 degrees and should not be tumble dried.

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Riding blanket

You also have fleece and wool blankets that are specifically for warming up or cooling down while riding. This prevents your horse from cooling down too much when getting in or out. The blankets have a recess for your saddle and are attached in front of your saddle with a wide piece of Velcro. This way you can remain seated when you put the blanket on your horse or take it off your horse.

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“Did you know that you can also have your blanket embroidered or printed?”

– Team Divoza

Frequently asked questions about sweat blankets

What size blanket should my horse have?

This is totally dependent on the build and withers height of your horse. We have put together a size chart as an indication that you can follow.

Height at the withers	Blanket size (bottom length)	Size of neck piece or mask
<100	135	XXS
100-120	145	XS
121-130	155	S
131-140	165	S
141-150	175	M
151-160	185	M
161-168	195	L
169-175	205	L
175 >	215	XL

When does my horse's blanket fit?

Your horse's blanket fits well when it fits well on all fronts. In any case, you start by closing the chest closure, then the surcingles and then the leg straps. The blanket should not hang over the tail attachment. It is better to have a few centimetres of buttock exposed than to have the blanket hang a few centimetres over the tail attachment. When a blanket hangs over, it slides backwards more quickly, creating chafing on the chest.

Can I wash my fleece blanket myself?

Yes, that is possible. Not warmer than 40 degrees without fabric softener. Fabric softener can cause your fleece blanket to insulate less well and therefore retain less heat. Do not tumble dry. Do not spin at more than 600 rpm, otherwise the blankets will become static.

Can I wash my wool blanket myself?

Yes, provided your washing machine has a special wool wash program. Not warmer than 30 degrees without fabric softener. It is best to wash your wool blanket with special wool detergent. Do not spin higher than 600 rpm.

Does my horse need a neck piece?

No. The purpose of a blanket is to keep the organs warm. A neck piece is therefore actually unnecessary. Necks are often used on light-coloured horses. With a neck piece, the neck also stays clean. Of course, there are exceptions and there will be horses that benefit from wearing a neck piece in the winter against the cold.

My horse gets chafing on its chest. How can I solve this?

You can easily solve this with a chest protector.

Make sure your horse's blanket fits properly. Horses often get chafing when a blanket doesn't fit properly. If the blanket is too big, the blanket will hang over the tail at the back. The blanket can pull backwards, causing it to sit tightly around the chest. When the horse is then moving, it will start chafing.

When a blanket is too small, it is often too tight. Again, the blanket is too tight around the chest and again, the blanket will chafe when your horse is moving.

The buckles on my blanket are breaking. Can this be repaired?

Yes, a lot can be repaired. Buckles, girths, chest closures and tears or holes in the blanket. Replace it yourself, or have it repaired as soon as possible, so your horse can't hurt itself on the loose closures. Check out our workshop page for more information.