Getting the perfect fit for your horse’s blanket is a crucial thing to get right. If your horse’s blanket is too loose, it will fall off and cause a potential hazard for your horse by getting tangled up in their legs.
If the blanket is too small, then it will rub and chafe, being very uncomfortable for your horse. But if you’ve never had to measure a blanket for your horse before, it can be confusing knowing where to get started.
So how do you measure a horse for a blanket?
Today, we’re going to cover everything you need to know about fitting a horse blanket for your horse, so that you can find the right blanket size for your needs.
How To Measure Your Horse For A Horse Blanket
The first thing that you will need to do to measure your horse for a blanket is to decide where you want the horse blanket to sit on your animal.
There are two main blanket styles of fit that you can choose from. You can either have the horse blanket to stop just before your horse’s tail, or you can choose a horse blanket that slightly covers the tail.
It will be important to choose a well-fitting blanket so that it will keep your horse warm.
Next, you will need to stand your horse on a level area of ground so that you can accurately measure them. You will need to use a soft tape measure to get the measurements that you need.
Start by measuring from the front of your horse’s chest, then take the soft measuring tape along their shoulder, their flank, up to where you would like the horse blanket to sit.
Make sure to select a soft tape measure that works in inch increments. This will allow you to find the best size horse blanket for your needs.
Once you have measured your horse, you will need to add an extra 2 inches onto each measurement. For example, if you measured your horse at 20 inches, you will need to add 22 inches onto this number.
This will ensure that your horse has enough space to move around comfortably without having any part of their body rubbing against the blanket.
When you are ready to purchase your horse blanket, make sure that you buy one that fits snugly but not tightly. A tight fit could cause discomfort and even start to chafe along your horse’s body, causing injury.
It will be best to give your horse these extra 2 inches so as to avoid choosing an ill-fitting blanket.
How Should A Blanket Fit A Horse?
To get the right fit for your horse, you will need to ensure that their blanket fits snugly, but doesn’t cut too deeply into their skin. You should be able to comfortably run your finger between the blanket and your horse’s flank.
The most important thing to note when it comes to fitting your horse with a new blanket is that it properly covers their shoulders and withers.
This will allow your horse to have the proper freedom of movement that they need to walk and canter comfortably when out in their field. You will need to make sure that the buckles and straps can easily be adjusted to help you get the perfect fit for your horse.
As long as you can comfortably slide your hand down the neck of your horse’s new blanket, and it isn’t strapped too tight, you can rest assured that you’ve found the correct size for your horse.
This can help you to avoid any blanket slippage from a model that’s too loose, as well as any chafing from a blanket that’s too tight.
Do You Need A Horse Blanket?
During the colder months, your horse will definitely need a blanket to keep them warm. This should help to give your horse an extra layer of insulation against the cold, which will be especially handy if they will be out in the cold during all kinds of temperatures and weather.
Your horse will really appreciate the extra layer on a really chilly winter day!
It will be important to note that during the warmer months, your horse will need to wear a more appropriate blanket for the time of year. They won’t want to be sweltering under their usual winter blanket if you have a bout of cool weather.
Why Is Horse Blanket Fit Important?
It will be crucial to get the correct fit for your horse’s blanket. If the horse blanket is too tight, this will start to rub at their withers and shoulders.
This will be incredibly uncomfortable for your horse, and could even cause sores to develop. It will be key to choose a horse blanket that gives your horse a range of natural movement.
A horse blanket that is too loose won’t give your horse the right amount of insulation that they need to stay warm. This could even fall off when your horse is out in their pasture.
If you are concerned about getting the right fit for your horse, make sure that you select a model that comes with adjustable straps. This typically features chest straps as well as adjustable straps around the gullet so that you can find the fit that works for your horse.
In Summary
So there you have it! You now know all there is to know about getting the correct fit for your horse’s blanket. You will need to ensure that you use a soft measuring tape so that you can find the correct size for your horse.
By opting for a measuring tape that comes with increments in inches, you can get a better idea of what size blanket they will need.
Once you have measured your horse from the center of their chest, you will then need to add an additional 2 inches onto this.
This will give your horse the natural range of movement that they need to stay comfortable when out in their field. It will be important to select a blanket that isn’t too tight or too loose.
You can assess the fit of your horse’s new blanket by running a hand down their neck. If you are able to do this comfortably, you will know you have found the perfect fit.
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