A horse with a thick winter coat sweats more easily during exercise and a long coat dries out longer. For this reason, many horses in training are clipped. This automatically means that the horse must wear one or more blankets to compensate for the clipped winter coat to stay warm. To determine whether a horse is warm enough, many horse owners rely on their feeling. This is not always wise.
The thermoneutral zone of a human is between 22 and 25 degrees Celsius. For an adult, unclipped horse with a winter coat, this zone is between -5 and +15 degrees Celsius*. This means that we humans get cold much faster than our horses.
Waterproof blanket
The most common waterproof blanket is the one without a neck. This blanket is usually sufficient. Depending on the thickness, it keeps the organs (and therefore the horse) warm.
Waterproof blanket with neck piece
The waterproof blanket with neck piece is the same as the one without neck, only with a neck piece. The advantage of this blanket is that it also keeps the neck clean. Very handy with light-colored horses.
Waterproof blanket with detachable neck piece
The waterproof blanket with loose neck piece is ideal when you want your horse outside with a neck piece and inside the stable without a neck piece. You can easily remove the neck from the blanket.
Underblanket / Liner
An underblanket or liner is a non-waterproof blanket that you can place under your waterproof blanket. Underblankets are cheaper than waterproof blankets but provide just as much warmth. There are various brands, such as Pagony, Horseware and Le Mieux, that have their own liners. These fit perfectly under your own waterproof blankets or can even be attached to the waterproof blanket by means of buckles or Velcro so that they do not slide away under the blanket.
“If your horse is outside all day, he may find it nice to have a slightly thicker blanket on at night when it is freezing.”
– Team Divoza
Frequently Asked Questions About Waterproof 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 |
What thickness blanket do I need for my horse?
In the table below you can see which thickness is optimal at which temperature. Please note that the choice of the right blanket can always deviate from the table. Depending on age, health, coat condition and/or type of housing. The table below is only a guideline. Your horse does not need a blanket, horses that are in good condition could walk around without a blanket all year round. Your horse's coat will then adapt to the weather conditions.
Temperature | Unshorn horse | Sheared horse |
+11 to +15 | No blanket | 0 gram |
+6 to +10 | 0 gram | 50 gram |
+1 to +5 | 50 gram | 100 gram |
0 to 4 | 100 gram | 200 gram |
-5 to -10 | 150 gram | 300 gram |
-11 or colder | 200 | 300 grams or more |
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.
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.
When is my horse too cold?
The thermoneutral zone of an unclipped horse is between -5 and +15. But that does not mean that a horse is cold below -5. This depends on age, health, coat condition and/or type of housing. A horse that is too thin and/or an old horse will get cold faster than a young, muscular horse.
When is my horse too hot?
The thermoneutral zone of an unclipped horse is between -5 and +15. This does not necessarily mean that a horse is too warm above 15 degrees. One horse can handle heat better than another horse. A cold blood will warm up faster than a thoroughbred.
Should my horse wear a thicker blanket at night?
If your horse is outside during the day and inside in a windproof stable at night, he can easily stay with the same blanket. If your horse is outside all day, he may like to have a slightly thicker blanket at night when it is freezing. This is different for each horse. One horse can cope better with the cold than another horse.
Can I also put two blankets on top of each other?
Yes, this is possible! Two blankets even give off more heat than one due to the insulating effect of the air between them.
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.
How often should I wash a waterproof blanket?
It is best to wash the blanket as soon as possible after each season. This way, urine comes into contact with the blanket for as short a time as possible, which helps to preserve the water-repellent material. It is wise to have this done by a specialized company for a long lifespan of the blanket. View our washing service page for more information
Popular blankets
0 gr.
0 gr.
200 gr.
50 gr.
0 gr.
400 gr.
200 gr.
50 gr.
