When Is It Too Early for a Blanket?

The first cool morning of the season arrives, and suddenly every horse owner is asking the same question:

"Should I blanket?"

The answer isn't always as simple as looking at the thermometer.

Temperature matters, but it's only one piece of the puzzle.

Start With Your Horse

Before reaching for a blanket, consider the horse wearing it.

A healthy, unclipped horse with a full winter coat has very different needs from a body-clipped horse, a senior horse, or a horse that has difficulty maintaining weight.

Other factors include body condition, breed, age, shelter availability, and how accustomed your horse is to cold weather.

Look Beyond the Temperature

A 45-degree day with sunshine and no wind can feel very different from a 45-degree day with driving rain.

Pay attention to:

• Temperature
• Wind
• Rain or wet snow
• Sun
• Humidity
• Shelter
• Your horse's coat
• Whether your horse is clipped

Wind and precipitation can make a relatively mild temperature feel considerably colder.

Don't Forget the Daytime High

One of the biggest mistakes during transitional weather is dressing for the morning and forgetting about the afternoon.

If the temperature is 45 degrees when you leave for work but is expected to reach 70 degrees later, a heavy blanket may leave your horse unnecessarily warm.

That's where lightweight turnouts can be useful.

A breathable protective sheet or cotton sheet can provide coverage during cooler portions of the day without the insulation of a heavier blanket.

Watch the Horse, Not Just the Forecast

Your horse can give you valuable information.

A horse that's comfortable should generally appear relaxed and behave normally. Shivering, tucked posture, seeking shelter, or feeling unusually cold can indicate that your horse needs additional protection.

On the other hand, sweating under a blanket is a sign that your horse may be wearing too much.

There's No Universal Blanketing Temperature

There isn't one temperature at which every horse suddenly needs a blanket.

Instead, think of blanketing as a combination of horse + weather + conditions.

The goal isn't to keep your horse as warm as possible.

The goal is to keep your horse comfortable.

And during those first cool days of fall, that may mean a lightweight sheet rather than a winter blanket.