Creating Your Own Horse Blanket

If your equine friend is feeling the cold, a horse blanket might just be the solution to keeping it snug during frosty weather conditions. While a horse's natural fur usually provides ample warmth in chilly climates, there are times when a blanket becomes necessary—like during long journeys from warm to cold regions or when you prefer to maintain a shorter winter coat. Fortunately, crafting a horse blanket can be a straightforward process, provided you ensure the fabric fits the horse correctly and use suitable materials.

Take Measurements of the Horse: Begin by positioning the tape measure at the center of the horse's chest, then wrap it around the side, passing over the largest part of the shoulder. Extend the measurement down to the base of the tail or the point where the tail connects with the hindquarters. Record this measurement on a piece of paper.

• If your tape measure isn't long enough, you can use a piece of yarn stretched from the chest to the tail, which you can then measure.
• A horse's body length typically ranges from 64 inches (1.6 m) to 90 inches (2.3 m).

Determine the Width of the Blanket: Measure from just above the horse's elbows to the top of its back, right under the shoulders. Multiply this measurement by two to ensure the blanket adequately covers both sides of the horse. Note down this measurement to establish the required width of your blanket.

Select the Fabric: Visit a fabric or craft store and pick a material that offers warmth and fits your budget. For indoor use, consider cotton, wool, or nylon. If your horse will be outdoors, opt for breathable and waterproof fabrics like Gore-Tex. Purchase enough fabric to accommodate the dimensions you recorded earlier.

• Choose the fabric based on your blanket's intended purpose.
• You can also find these fabrics online.
• Buy extra fabric to account for any errors during the making process.
• Waterproof/breathable materials are available from brands such as Polartec, eVent, Pertex, and Gore-Tex.
• Avoid using non-waterproof fabric for outdoor use, as it may become wet in rain or snow, leading to discomfort and potential skin issues for the horse.
• Cotton and nylon are budget-friendly options, while waterproof and breathable fabrics tend to be more costly.

Trim the Fabric: Utilize scissors to cut the fabric into a rectangular shape according to your measurements. Set aside any excess fabric for contingencies.

Create a Neck Hole: Fold the fabric in half and make a shallow semicircular cut in the top left corner. This cutout will serve as the neck hole, allowing your horse to comfortably wear the blanket. Ensure the cut is shallow, as you can always adjust the depth later to fit the blanket snugly around the horse's neck.

Fit the Fabric on Your Horse: Place the fabric over your horse and secure the front of the blanket with pins to ensure it covers the horse's chest properly. Check if the neck hole is appropriately sized, allowing for comfortable wear above the shoulders. Trim the neck hole if necessary to achieve a snug fit. Continue adjusting the blanket until it sits comfortably around the horse's neck.

• If the blanket hangs below the shoulders, the neck hole may be too large, requiring you to cut a new piece of fabric.
• Ensure the blanket doesn't restrict shoulder movement; it should fit loosely without hindering the horse's mobility.

Mark the Position for Straps: While the front of the blanket is pinned, mark a line underneath the neck hole using a marker. This line indicates where to attach the straps that will secure the blanket in the front. Ensure the neck hole maintains its shape and stays securely positioned on the horse's neck.

Attach Velcro Strips to the Front: Cut three 2-inch (5.1 cm) Velcro strips. These strips will fasten the blanket around the horse's chest. Pin the hook side of the Velcro to the right side of the blanket, spacing the strips 2 inches (5.1 cm) apart vertically. Then, pin the loop side of the Velcro parallel to the hook side on the opposite side of the blanket.

Prepare the Belly Strap: Use a properly fitting girth as a reference and add 5-10 inches (12.7-25.4 cm) to determine the length of the belly strap. This strap, when fastened, should encircle the widest part of the horse's chest, preventing the blanket from slipping. Optionally, create a loop at the end of the blanket for the tail to pass through.

• You can also sew the belly and tail straps into position.

Sew Velcro to the Blanket: Secure the Velcro strips to the fabric using a cross-stitch technique. Thread a needle, knot the end, and insert it into one corner of the Velcro. Create a diagonal line across the width of the Velcro, forming an X pattern. Continue stitching down all Velcro strips until they are firmly attached to the blanket.

• Secure the belly and tail straps during the sewing process.
• Consider using a mechanical sewing machine for efficiency.

Ensure the blanket fits snugly on the horse and observe its movement. Place the blanket over the horse once more and fasten the Velcro strips at the front. Monitor the horse's mobility. If you notice any difficulty in walking or running, you may need to make further adjustments to the blanket.

Utilize a blanket when temperatures drop below 10 °F (−12 °C). It's crucial to cover your horse with a blanket during freezing conditions, especially if it stays outdoors. A blanket offers additional warmth, ensuring the horse's comfort. In extremely cold climates, below 0 °F (−18 °C), opt for heavier materials like Gore-Tex or wool.

• Provide a three-sided shed for your horse to seek shelter during inclement weather.

Apply a blanket when transitioning your horse from warm to cold climates. Horses moved to colder regions in their first winter require blankets, especially if relocated after the autumn equinox. These horses won't have sufficient time to develop a thick winter coat.

• A horse's coat adjusts to the prevailing temperature. If it's accustomed to warmer climates, it won't grow a thick winter coat.

Keep the horse warm with a blanket to manage its winter coat length. During winter, horses grow longer coats to withstand cold temperatures. While a blanket won't halt coat growth, it will limit it and keep the hair compressed. For show horses, maintaining shorter hair with regular clippings is essential.

• To control coat length, blanket the horse when temperatures drop below 50 °F (10 °C) or lower.
• Regularly groom the horse by removing the blanket. Check for any signs of chafing or excess sweat.
• Avoid blanketing horses in hot weather to prevent overheating.

• Large piece of fabric
• Scissors
• Tape measure
• 1 foot (0.30 m) of Velcro strip
• Sewing thread
• Sewing machine (optional)