Terms for Horse Blankets & Sheets

Ballistic
Ballistic nylon refers to a thick and very tough synthetic fabric. It was originally designed for use in military jackets to protect the wearer from shell fragments and flying debris. A blanket/sheet with ballistic nylon outer will be difficult to tear.

Breathable
Most blankets and sheets are made of woven fabrics that allow body vapor to escape through miniscule holes to help prevent moisture buildup. Breathability is not the same as moisture wicking.

Denier
Denier refers to the thickness of the fabric used as the outer layer of the garment, and it provides an indication of how durable the garment will ultimately be. The higher the denier of the blanket, the heavier the fabric feels, and the stronger, more wind-resistant and more water-resistant the fabric is. Therefore, a 1,680 denier blanket is more durable than a 600 denier blanket. If your horse is turned out in rough terrain or enjoys rough play with pasture mates, then a higher weight denier is most appropriate.

Ripstop
Ripstop nylon refers to a high denier fabric woven in a crosshatch pattern that, in the unlikely event a tear occurs, prevents the hole from spreading. A blanket/sheet with ripstop outer can puncture or tear, but the hole will not spread on its own.

Moisture-Wicking
The fabric is constructed to pull moisture away from a horse's skin and hair to the outside surface. Moisture-wicking fabrics are used in coolers.

Water-Resistant
Water-resistant blankets and sheets provide some protection from moisture, but are not designed to repel water to protect the horse fully when it is exposed to downpours, snow or sleet for prolonged periods. Most stable sheets or blankets are water-resistant to help prevent saturation from soiled bedding.

Waterproof
Waterproof means that the blanket fabric has been treated with a coating to repel water. Additionally, seams on waterproof blankets and sheets are placed so as to prevent leaks, or they are taped and sealed.

Weight
Turnout blankets are available in a range of weights, where the weight refers to the amount of poly fill between the outer and inner layers. The fill adds warmth and insulates the horse's body heat. It is measured in gram weights; the higher the number of grams, the warmer and heavier the blanket. Fill amounts vary between blanket manufacturers. As a general rule, a lightweight blanket has 100 grams of fill; a medium weight blanket has between 180-200 grams of fill; a heavyweight blanket has 300+ grams of fill.

A Note about "Lite" (versus "Sheet") Blankets: In some blanket lines, manufacturers refer to "lightweight" blankets as "Lite." These have 100 grams of fill for insulation. "Lite" blankets should not be confused with "Sheets," either for turnout or stable use, as a sheet will never have any fill.

One of many Horseware® Ireland design innovations is the removal of leg straps and the placement of a tail strap to secure the back of a Rambo, Rhino, Amigo or Mio blanket. The tail strap helps anchor the weight of the back of the blanket, while the use of darts in the construction of the back section of the blanket helps create a curve shaped that complements the shape of a horse's hindquarters. These combined design elements mean that a safe, secure and comfortable fit can be achieved without the use of leg straps. The placement of back darts also helps prevent the blanket from shifting as the horse moves.

How to Check the Fit of a Blanket or Sheet

• Place the blanket/sheet on your horse and fasten the chest closure. A good fit allows fabric at the chest to overlap and the fastener to be adjusted near the middle. With the chest fastened, the tail seam should sit exactly where you want the garment to end.
• You should be able to slide your hand under the blanket all around the neck opening and over the withers with your horse's head in grazing position and when raised. If the opening is too large, your horse could get a foot caught, and it may rub your horse's shoulders. If the opening is too small, the blanket will pull or rub the withers, mane or points of the shoulders or tug at the base of the neck.
• Adjust belly surcingles/belly band next so that you can slide only one flat hand between the strap and your horse's belly. Looser straps can allow a horse's leg to get tangled while lying down or rolling; tight straps can make the blanket rub.
• If the blanket has a tail strap, it should be adjusted so that you have about a hand's width between the strap and the horse.
• If the blanket has leg straps, pass the left strap through the horse's hind legs and clip it to the d-ring on the left side of the blanket. Cross the right leg strap through the left leg strap and clip it to the d-ring on the right side. These straps should be adjusted so that you can fit only one hand's width between the strap and the inside of the horse's leg. If they are too long and hang down to the horse's hocks, then a leg can become entangled. If the straps are too short, they may inhibit movement and chafe the tender insides of the gaskin or groin area.
• With fastenings done, stand back and look at the overall effect of the clothing on your horse. The shoulders of the blanket should not be stretched or tight over your horse's shoulders, yet the blanket should not appear to sag or look too large either. The hem should not hang at or below the horse's knees.

How to Measure Your Horse and Fit your Blanket

The fit of your blanket is extremely important to the comfort of your horse. Improperly fitting blankets can cause rubbing and slippage. To find blanket size, measure distance from center of the chest, across the point of the shoulder, and to the center of the tail. Many blankets are sized in two or three inch increments, so choose the closest size available.

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Care of Your Blanket

Blankets should be cleaned annually. First, remove excess dirt with a brush or hose, then wash by hand or on a delicate cool water cycle. Use very mild soap. Allow to drip dry. Do not put blankets in the dryer as this will damage the waterproof coating and void any warranties.

For individual size charts and meaurements, please refer to the "Size Guide" link that appears on the product page.

Five Tips for Blanketing Horses

1) To get the most of the waterproof protection on your horse's turnout blanket, whisk away dried mud, manure and grime with a brush or broom.

2) Does your horse rip blankets? Choose a blanket with a higher denier. The term "denier" refers to the thickness of the synthetic fabric used as the outer layer of a blanket, and it indicates how durable the blanket will be. The higher the denier, the tougher the fabric.

3) Rub marks or abraded hair on your horse's chest, shoulders or mane indicate a poorly fitting blanket. Try different blanket styles to alleviate pressure points, and/or take a new measurement to double check your horse's size.

4) Get to know your own horse's needs for blanketing - each individual is unique. What is considered a medium weight blanket on one horse feel like be a heavyweight blanket on another. No one prescription for blanketing exists.

Has your horse grown a bit of a natural hair coat? Then don't layer on a turnout sheet just because of snow or cold. The sheet will actually flatten the fluffy hair through which body heat circulates as a natural insulation for your horse. Instead, be sure to add a blanket that has fill to create the insulation.