Winter Blanketing Options

Hi I'm new to this forum! I wrote the following post on a different horse forum, but I thought it would be good to get a few more opinions before I buy any blankets, if any.

I'd like to add that my horses live on pasture year round with free choice grass/alfalfa hay and a high protien grain twice a day.


Scotch, my larger horse who is more dominant, likes to hog the newly insulated lean-to my dad and I built recently. Because of this, I am concerned about his winter coat growth--he doesn't have one. We have had a couple of nights in a row below freezing and he still sports his summer coat. Before this winter, the lean-to wasn't insulated, and Scotch always grew a winter coat. I live in Minnesota, so he's gonna need his hair to grow in.

Since Patches (my other horse) is chased outside by Scotch, he has grown into a fluffy little horse. I can feel the base of his ears and in his arm pits or anywhere else and he is quite warm. Other years both of the horses have grown in their winter coats at the same rate.

I've been told that Scotch probably could use a blanket; however, I've never purchased one and I'm at a bit of a loss! Would I need a mid-weight and a heavy-weight? Scotch isn't very active, so could I get by with just a heavy-weight if I watched him? Here are a few blankets that I was looking at. Any suggestions or comments will be greatly appreciated!

Mid-weights:
http://www.horse.com/Horse-Blankets-Sheets/Blankets/Orican-Basic-Medium-Weight-1200D-Blanket-BEA04.html
http://www.horse.com/Horse-Blankets-Sheets/Blankets/Saxon-1200-Denier-Medium-Wt-Turnout-Blanket-BEA20.html
Heavy-weights:
http://www.horse.com/Horse-Blankets-Sheets/Blankets/Reinsman-Boss-Series-1200-Denier-Turnout-Blanket-BEA32.html (I especially like the 2 year warrenty on this one).
http://www.chicksaddlery.com/page/CDS/PROD/0003/WS1225-S

Thanks again!

Look at Schneiders catalog or online at www.sstack.com
They have great blankets and sheets with warranty for a good price. I have had people tell me nothing but good things about them.
I am also in Minnesota so I understand completely!! This is the 1st year I have started blanketing as well because my boy just isn't able to get into a shelter at our new place.
Another place that I just found here in MN is www.suburbantackstore.com She is in Farmington and sometimes you can get a great deal (with no shipping) and don't forget about the tackswap this weekend in White Bear!!
Good Luck and welcome!!!

Thanks for the information! I'll look into that!

What do you all think about layering? I've read condradictory statements about it. Right now I'm leaning towards getting this really nice mid-weight that I found online that is on sale and a polar fleece liner for when it is really cold. Could this work?

Thanks again! This is a great site!

*sigh* there are so many factors that play into horse blankets...
Such as, if you start blanketing when it gets around freezing (0 degrees Celcius.. I'm Canadian..) with a mid-weight, then that won't be warm enough if it dips down to -40 degrees and stays there for a few days. The horse will be used to being warmed with a mid-weight blanket it milder weather, and the mid-weight will no longer be warm enough for the really cold temps.

My gelding is an OTTB and has no winter coat whatsoever. I have a mid-weight blanket (200 gram fill) for milder minus temperatures, and a heavyweight for the really cold temperatures. If it dips down to -50 again, I will put both blankets on, or throw a fleece rug on with the heavyweight.

As for the blankets you chose... I can only comment on the Weatherbeeta since I'm not familiar with Saxons. Weatherbeetas are made with fine attention to detail. I really do like their blankets.

Thank you for your post! I'll look into a mid-weight and a heavy-weight then. I wasn't sure how good weatherbeta was since their prices are so low...I'll look into their blanket line!

weatherbeeta is a great affordable blanket

i also like schneiders blankets, although if you have a tall horse, they tend to be on the short side (like doesn't reach below the belly short)

my favorite blanket is my amigo rainsheet...might not be practical where you are, but amigo/horseware ireland makes a GREAT waterproof blanket!

Actually Schneiders now has the Euro fit extra long sides, which is longer then the other ones they have so they have now caught up with times. lol