The perfect blanket guide, a marking strategy composed by a company who sells products for most animals. Where did they get their research? Do the people who come up with the strategy even have any horse experience? Or are these just big wig corporation people put in charge to push the sale of their blankets? As someone who has recently moved to the Pacific North West from the beach side of sunny Southern California, I began the real research on cold climates and horses.
Reading various articles from veterinarian professionals along with blogs and inputs from the people who live in low temps with horses, I found the information from sales companies misleading. During my research I had found many logistics that play into the 'blanket or not-to-blanket' role such as: hair growth, medical condition of the horse, having access to shelter, and environment. "Horses that do not live in extremely cold environments – meaning routinely colder than 10°F – will do well without a blanket, provided they are either stalled during the coldest temperatures or have access to a protective shelter". The chart posted here is from a horse product company providing information with little or no research supporting their reasoning to purchase their blankets.
So, how cold is too cold for horses? "In the absence of wind and moisture, horses tolerate temperatures at or slightly below 0° F. If horses have access to a shelter, they can tolerate temperatures as low as -40° F. But horses are most comfortable at temperatures between 18° and 59° F, depending on their hair coat." Living in SoCal with horses during the mild winters where the low temps stay at a consistent 60° except for a month or two out of the year where it might dip down into the 40°s, I never blanketed. My horses were trace clipped and had access to an in-n-out stall to get out of any wind/rain. They were never cold and preferred being outside during that time anyways. I always thought SoCal horses never needed blankets, the climate is just too mild for the need. I know many people keep their show horses blanketed to prevent the growth of hair, however the reading I did stated that their hair grows based on the time of the year rather then the temperature outside. I'll tap out on that subject since I did not follow up with more research on preventing hair growth.
Fast forward to Oct of 2021, moving to the PNW, with temps that could drop into the single digits, jump started my research on acclimating my horses for colder weather. Before my move, I had purchased a few light weight and medium weight blankets. When I first arrived we were getting into temps of low 40°s and high 30°s. At the time, my horses still had little coat growth so I choose to use the light weight blankets during the night time or wet weather. What I had found was they acclimated very quickly and easily. Over the next couple months, hitting mid-late December my horses have all grown nice thick winter coats and I no longer blanket them even when it dips down into the low 20°s when it's dry and calm. I found if I did blanket them, they would start to get hot and sweat under the blankets. My horses aren't cold, I don't see them shiver and they happily go out into the pasture full of snow and make horse snow angels several times throughout the day.
"It is very important to keep in mind that there are times when blanketing is worse than not blanketing. A blanket will make your horse’s hair coat lie flat, thus removing that insulating layer of warm air. If the amount of insulation in the blanket is less than what your horse’s natural coat would provide, then he will be cold. Make sure that any blankets used for turnout are waterproof! A wet blanket will make your horse cold. Too many blankets, or too heavy a blanket will make your horse sweat, make the hairs lie down, and make your horse cold. Stick your hand under your horse’s blanket to make sure he is not too hot. Additionally, you should not see sweat marks on your horse when you take the blanket off."
Take home message: do your own real research. The charts provided through a shopping catalog are buying gimmicks, don't take them too seriously and expect the information to be correct for your horse.
