Blankets, which ones do you use?

Blankets come in all shapes and sizes. In winter, many horses wear a blanket to keep them from developing a thick winter coat.
In this article an overview of the different blankets out there.

Stable rug

The name says it all, this blanket is for use in stables. A stable blanket is breathable and available in different thicknesses. Use the blanket if the horse is in the stable a lot. Because a stable blanket is not waterproof, it is better not to use it if your horse is (partially) outside. Stable blankets come in different thicknesses. Therefore, it is advisable to have several stable blankets for one horse so that you can change with the season.

Winter Blanket

If your horse is going to be outside a lot in the winter, so there is a chance that he will get wet, it is best to choose a winter blanket. This is a waterproof blanket with lining. The lining varies from light to very heavy, so again you can adjust the blanket to the weather conditions. Although in practice you only do this a few times a year, it is good to think about it. The winter blanket can also just be worn in the stable.

Underblanket

Under a stable or winter blanket, you can put an underblanket that will keep the horse extra warm, especially if the top blanket is a fairly thin one. Underblankets again come in different thicknesses. Usually layers keep a horse warmer than one thick layer unless the stable and winter blanket is made up of several layers (read: materials).

Summer blanket

A summer blanket is a blanket that is breathable and not waterproof, but is used in the summer on a colder day or when a horse needs to stay clean after a wash. Also, this blanket is sometimes used as a transition blanket toward the colder season, or from colder spring to summer. In the summer, by the way, most horses do not wear a blanket, nor is it necessary. Unless it is to protect against flies and insects.

Fly Rug

Many horses suffer in the summer and spring from flies, gnats, mosquitoes and other annoying insects. To protect your horse from this, there is a wide range of fly rugs to choose from. How you keep your horse is most important when choosing the right fly rug. A sturdy blanket is not a luxury if your horse is in the field with other horses. If your horse is stabled a lot, a thinner blanket is recommended. A rug made of sturdy polyester or nylon often lasts longer than a fly rug made of another material. Fly rugs made of fine-mesh fabric hold back insects better than coarse-mesh rugs.

A special eczema blanket that protects your horse from head to toe is very suitable for a horse with summer eczema. Eczema blankets are made of a very fine-meshed fabric, which the mosquitoes (which play a role in summer eczema) cannot get through. In addition, your horse will chafe much less with an eczema blanket and the broken skin and mane have a chance to recover.

Sweat rug

This blanket, which is usually made of wool or fleece, is mainly used after training. A sweat rug keeps the horse from cooling down too quickly after training. It absorbs the sweat and keeps the horse warm. Sweat rugs are also available with an extra neck piece.

Riding blanket

A riding blanket is meant to be used during training. There are models in different designs for horses and ponies ridden under saddle and models for riding horses and ponies. The waterproof riding blanket protects back and kidneys from wind and rain. In practice, this blanket is mainly used when mounting and dismounting, for example, shod horses.

Source: The Horseshoe