When to cover a horse? Temperature Guide • Horsezz (2023)

As another fall looms, a horse owner is puzzled by a question: “To cover or not to cover?”. There are dozens of types of horse blankets available with different styles and thicknesses to choose from. Therefore, we have prepared these horse covering guidelines to explain when to cover a horse.

Does my horse need a blanket?

In fact, horses have a natural ability to withstand cold weather conditions. They look for a suitable shelter to hide from snow, rain and wind. Horses can produce body heat to live comfortably during bad weather. So horse owners may wonder whether or not to cover their horses.

In fact, you need to decide if a rug is right for your horse. Some advantages and disadvantages may follow the coverage of your companion.

• The roof is a good option forshowing horses. Covering the horse helps slow down hair growth, as the temperature under the rug is much warmer than outside. That's why,preparing your horseit would take less time with shorter hair. That's why a horse blanket is a must for show horses during the cold seasons.
• In addition, a horse rug helps you keep your horseclean and drywhen you are out of the shelter. Most horse sheets are waterproof, which is a huge plus. So you can easily clean the blanket, dry it quickly and use it again.
• Another advantage of covering a horse is that a sheet cankeep warm for a long time. In case of heavy rain or snow, if there is no hiding place nearby, a winter horse blanket will definitely come in handy. Or if you need to transfer your companion and provide a comfortable environment, again, use a blanket.
• If you recently moved to another region with a much colder climate, your horse needs time to adjust. coverage can doadaptationmuch more convenient process.
• A horse blanket can be used toold and sick horsesto help them regulate their body temperature. Also, it could protect them from insect bites and sunlight.
• Apregnant mareshe can also cover herself with a blanket to keep warm if she goes oftenterm.

On the other hand, it is up to you to cover or not to cover a horse. Remember that covering a horse with a sheet reduces the growth of winter hair, which is essential for producing body heat. Also, make sure your partner doesn't get too hot. It can affect the state of health, especially during the winter period.

Types of blankets for horses

If you decide to try a horse blade, know that there are different types. Each project is made to satisfy a specific need. Therefore, it is crucial to know not only when to cover a horse, but also what type of sheet to use. Here is a list of common types of rugs for horses:

• refrigerators. It is a popular sheet that will help you for sure. These blankets are made with a thick fleece that has good moisture wicking characteristics. The sheet is obviously used to help dry your horse. In addition, the equipment retains heat immensely, preventing your companion from freezing.
• fly leaves. As the name implies, the equipment is used to protect your horse from insect bites. The blanket is used when the horse is out of the stable in an open space. This design is specially made for warm seasons as it is thin and has no lining. In addition, a foil has UV protection against overheating of the horse.
• room sheetsof unogymnastics mat. It is a riding blanket that has a different design. The equipment does not cover the entire body, it is only worn on the back of the horse. There are two types of exercise mats. The first is to keep your horse dry while riding in wet weather. It is made with a resistant waterproof material that wicks away moisture. The second type of riding rug comes with a thick, soft lining, usually made of wool or fleece. This is done to keep your horse warm during cold weather training. This is a great feature to prevent rapid jump in temperature. When your horse moves from the warm stable to the cool outdoor paddock, the sheet helps him get used to the new location gradually and comfortably.
• rain leaves. As you may have already guessed, the raincoat is a kind of raincoat for people. It is made of waterproof materials to withstand outdoor weather conditions. The sheet is thin without a lining, so it does not absorb water. Also, the rain sheet can be layered over the stable sheet if you need it to be waterproof.
• stable blankets. This type is commonly used to keep the horse comfortable inside the stable. And it provides extra warmth if you feel your partner is cold outside. Please note that stable blankets may not provide water resistance if you plan to wear the garment outside of the shelter. Additionally, the product comes in different weights (light, medium, and heavy) to achieve different levels of warmth under cover.
• things. The sheet is similar in design to a stable blanket, but also has a waterproof function. They are made of solid materials to withstand harsh weather conditions and paddock play. By contrast, a turnout rug is quite breathable to help properly regulate the horse's body temperature. When the weather is cold, this soft sheet keeps the horse warm and comfortable.

As you can see, there are numerous options available to suit all tastes. A horse rug is quite a versatile sheet that can be used for different purposes and in all weather conditions, which is an incredible advantage.

When to Cover a Horse: Guidelines for Covering Horses

Many things can affect your decision to cover your horse or not. So we've put together the following horse coverage guidelines to clarify when to cover a horse.

Body hair condition

As we already mentioned, the blanket affects hair growth. So, depending on your goal, you may or may not need to cover your partner with a horse winter blanket.

If your horse is healthy and well cared for, and you arewon't cutin winter, your partner will most likely not need a blanket. How can these animals produce the right body temperature to withstand the cold? The hair begins to swell and retain the necessary heat. However, if you are riding in a humid climate with frequent rain showers, aluminum foil for horses should be considered.

how todrawn horses, hair is removed from the chest, under the neck and belly. So the horse is "half cropped” to prevent excessive sweating while riding, but still, some hair was left to keep warm. Coverage is recommended in this case, but not vital. As the main parts of the body such as the neck, shoulders and back are still warm.

When youfull clip of your horse, you get rid of hair on almost your entire body. Generally, the legs are left loose, as well as the place on the back where thesaddleit's running. In this case, the coat does not provide enough natural heat, and a blanket is needed. Depending on the temperature, you may need horse sheets of different thicknesses.

Here is a horse blanket chart to help you choose the right type of sheet.

How thick should a horse blanket be?

By consulting the horse blanket chart above, you may notice different types of sheets in terms of thickness. A horse rug can be light, medium, and heavy, so what's the difference?

• Alight horse blanketit protects from rain and wind, but does not provide much heat. It comes with 0 to 150 grams ofpolyrellene.
• Amedium horse blanketit is good for a barn that provides some level of heat. It comes with 150 to 200 grams of polyfill.
• Aheavy horse blanketIt is a waterproof cover suitable for a diversion that protects from rain and wind. It comes with 200 to 250 grams of polyfill.
• Asuper heavy horse blanketIt is a solid winter horse blanket that provides great warmth. It comes with 250 to 300 grams of polyfill.

Therefore, pay attention to the climate in which you live and ride, as well as the weather conditions, and you can choose thebest horse blanketfor your horse

Here is another helpful horse blanket chart that shows a detailed guide on how to cover a horse.

How to choose the right size horse rug

When choosing the right type of horse sheet for your companion, it is time to look for the right size. So how do you choose the right size horse rug?

You need a normal cloth tape to measure your horse. To find your horse's blanket size, you need to measure starting at the horse's chest (in the middle, as shown in the chart below) and working your way to the back of the hind legs. You may need help with this process.

Compare your results to a size chart usually provided by the manufacturer. Choose the product that fits you best and don't choose the blanket that will be too tight or too loose.

final thoughts

Covering a horse is an optional option for all horse owners. It is up to you to decide whether or not your partner needs the extra warm up. Whether you have decided to cover your horse with a sheet or not, think carefully about what size and type of horse blanket you need. Depending on weather conditions, you may need a blade of various weights. Follow the horse rug chart provided in this article to find the perfect match for your little friend. Stay warm!

Image source: doversaddlery.com, Shutterstock.com, unsplash.com, pixabay.com.