Best Horse Blanket Reviews 2018

Ask most horse enthusiasts how many blankets they have for their big companions and they will confess to having a bigger wardrobe for their horse than they do for themselves. Some will even tell you that they spend lots of their time contemplating which blanket their horse will wear for the day. Well, it’s true that most horses can survive the cold months, but when the temperatures hit record lows, they will be happy with the protection of a horse blanket. This is especially true for elderly horses, those with a hard time growing a thick coat, or those that cannot keep their weight on. If you are looking to get a good blanket, you don’t have to go crazy over the shopping process. We have made the job easier for you by reviewing five of the best horse blanket brands and their cozy products.

Overview

PROS

CONS

Our Top Choice

Weatherbeeta Freestyle Blanket

Weatherbeeta is one of the biggest names in the horse products space. Their Freestyle 1200D comes with a detachable neck to provide extra warmth on colder days and nights.

Waterproof and breathable. Covers neck and poll area.

A bit expensive because of the high-end features.

Best Value

Kensington All Round HD Blanket

Kensington Protective Products is a family-owned business that has operated since 1954. Their All Around HD 1200D Euro Cut is 100% water and wind proof.

Tear resistant. Extremely durable material. Longer drops for more protection.

Medium-duty cannot provide enough warmth in colder times.

Shires Stormcheeta Combo Blanket

Shires has more than 4 decades of experience in the horse products game. Their Stormcheeta Combo comes with a full nylon lining to make it breathable and waterproof.

Fits well. Durable materials. Deep shoulder gussets.

A bit pricey.

Derby Originals Blanket

Derby Originals strives to give horse caregivers unmatched quality, durability and comfort. The 1200D Closed Front Stable Blanket is affordable, yet packs amazing features.

Closed front for extra cover. Heavy duty outer shell. Adjustable belly band. Breathable nylon lining.

Only for stable use.

Tough-1 600 Denier Stable Blanket

Tough-1 offers a guarantee to serve the equestrian community with quality horse products. Their 600 Denier Blanket’s made with quality nylon with poly fill to keep your horse warm.

Elastic leg straps. Beautiful design. Poly fill for extra warmth.

Not waterproof.

(Updated November 29, 2017)

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How Do I Choose the Best Horse Blanket?

If you’re a proud horse owner, you probably already have horse boots to protect their lower legs or hooves, horse shampoo to keep it spiffy and a horse sheet or horse blanket to protect it from the elements. Buying any of the aforementioned gear requires careful thought and consideration, and in the case of horse blankets, that means choosing the right size and the right level of protection.

Speaking of protection, the first and most important aspect to consider when buying the best horse blanket is the amount of fill in it because this will dictate how warm it will be. And determining the right weight requires you to take into account the environment they live in, the condition of their coats – or you could simply ask them what level of coverage they prefer (kidding). It goes without saying that the best horse blanket is one that fits well, so before heading out shopping, grab a flexible tape measure to get the most accurate measurement possible.

Price

If you want to offer Seabiscuit the best protection, you should definitely stay miles away from cheap horse blankets, because they will disappoint both your horse and you. There are several features that contribute to the price of a respective horse blanket, most notably its size and the level of warmth it offers. In terms of size, you should take accurate measurements of your horse, so that you don’t invest in one that is too small or too big.

Furthermore, the material a horse blanket is made of could drive up the price, for example, a Denier 1200 blanket will cost a little more than a 600 variant. If you’re going to be riding your stallion in wet weather conditions, you should consider buying a horse blanket that’s both waterproof and breathable. To give you a rough idea of the price tags you can expect to see on the shopping trail, the cost of a horse blanket can range from about $100 for a pony size to $250+ for one that can comfortably fit full-grown horses.

Features

Choosing the best horse blanket can be a complex affair because you want to make sure that you buy one that does what it’s designed to do, and one that will offer superior longevity.

That said, here are a few noteworthy features to look for in the best horse blanket:

Size –This is a complete measurement of the length and width, and will dictate the comfort and fit of the horse blanket.
Material –The material a blanket is made of will help you determine both its longevity and the level of protection it offers.
Waterproof –Some horse blankets can get drenched without affecting their quality, while others aren’t designed to withstand the elements and are ideal if you’re going to keep your pet in the barn.
Tear Resistance –If you have a feisty horse, you may want to buy a rugged blanket that won’t rip and, consequently, get their feet entangled.
Breathable –Remember that horses do sweat, so just like buying the best track gear, you should look for a horse blanket that can keep your horse dry.
Shoulder Gussets –If you have a large horse, look for a horse blanket that has shoulder gussets.
Covered Neck –For added protection and warmth, buy a horse blanket with a neck cover.
Insulation –The fill material of a horse rug is what keeps it warm, where the higher the number, the thicker and stronger it is.

Construction and Design

Horse blankets, often dubbed stable blankets, horse rugs and stable rugs, are designed to keep your pet warm and wick away moisture from its body, and some even keep it dry in wet weather conditions. The first thing you should do before you head out shopping for the best horse blanket is take accurate measurements of your horse, because a bad fit may lead to discomfort, as well as chafing or cutting. When taking measurements, start from the middle of your horse’s chest and measure to the edge of its tail in a straight line.

Horse blankets can be had in several different fill quantities, starting from no fill to 400 grams+, where the higher the number of the denier, the more warmth it will offer. The next aspect to consider when shopping for the best horse blanket is its lining, which can be made of either natural or synthetic fibers. Some synthetic materials provide superior thermal regulation, and consequently, wick away sweat and moisture from its body.

Performance and Ease of Use

The exterior of a horse blanket can be crafted from several different materials, most notably nylon, ripstop and polypropylene. Nylon tends to be the most durable of the three, and is abrasion resistant and easy to clean, while polypropylene is stronger than cotton and polyester-made horse blankets. Most horse blankets are similar to each other in terms of style and fit, in that they are to be placed around their body from chest to rump and fastened with straps.

They can be had in two distinct variants, namely turnout and stable blankets, where the latter in most cases is not waterproof. When it comes to washing a horse blanket, especially after each season, you should first remove the excess mud, dirt and hair, otherwise you stand a good chance of clogging up your machine. Since these blankets are generally fitted with several buckles and straps, it is a good idea to tuck it away nicely in a wash bag before placing it into the machine. And lastly, it’s important that you line dry the horse blanket, rather than tumble dry, for long service life.

What is the Best Horse Blanket?

There are two types of horse blankets: turnout and stable blankets. The former is specifically made to suit horses that love to stay outdoors, and all of them are waterproof. On the other hand, the stable type is made for those horses that spend most of their time in the barn. They are not waterproof and cost less than their counterparts. When getting a blanket, first understand what type you want before considering things like size, material used, colors and the budget. Some blankets are lighter and medium-duty to keep your horse comfortable when it’s wet or windy, while others are heavy-duty to provide more warmth during the cold season.

Our Top Choice

Weatherbeeta Freestyle 1200D blanket offers the ultimate protection to your horse against cold. It’s a heavy duty turnout blanket with a detachable neck, making it extra cozy. If you are looking for a medium-duty blanket and want to save a few bucks, you will love the WB Genero 1200D Standard Neck Medium.

Weatherbeeta Freestyle Turnout Horse Blanket 1200D Detach-A-Neck Heavy – Available in 2 Sizes and 3 Colors

Weatherbeeta Horse Blanket 200-356009, 81” Black/teal

Features

Weatherbeeta cares a lot about horse and their health. For decades, the brand has solidified its name in the horse product’s market, producing quality blankets and sheets to help keep horses warm during cold months and cool during the summer.

Endowed with a heavy 360g polyfill, the Freestyle 1200D is one of the newest additions to the Weatherbeeta’s blanket line. It’s super strong and features a full wrap tail-flap, wither relief pad, clip front closure, cupped shoulder dart, elastic leg straps and comfort cuff. You also get polyester lining that helps keep the coat of your horse shinny. As if that wasn’t enough, Weatherbeeta goes ahead and makes the blanket 100% waterproof, so you don’t have to worry about your horse shivering when in rain.

Going for around $225, this turnout blanket is a must-have for all horse owners. If you need a different fit and cannot afford to change the brand, here are more options that we think you will love:

Weatherbeeta 300D Growing Foal Blanket
Weatherbeeta Original 1200D High Neck Medium Weight Blanket
Weatherbeeta Genero 1200D Standard Neck Lite
WB Original 1680 Detach Neck Heavy Blanket

While we decided to feature this blanket in black/teal and 81 inches, you could also get it in two other colors, navy/grey/white and navy, as well as 72 inches.

Keep your horse warm and cool with Weatherbeeta’s full line of horse blankets. Check out what the brand has on Amazon.

Best Value

The All Around HD 1200D Euro Cut is a medium-weight turnout blanket with a rating of 180g. It comes with extra features such as longer drops and tail cover for added protection. Want just an ultra-light model with a rating of 80g? Check out the All Around 1200 Denier Ultra Light Weight blanket.

Kensington All Around HD Turnout Horse Blanket 1200D Euro Cut 180gm Medium Weight – Available in 7 Sizes and 4 Black Colors

Kensington Horse Blanket 433AA180-69FB-Parent , 69-inch Black

Features

Being in business for more than six decades is no joke. Kensington Products is credited to have made the very first Canvas turnout blanket, so you will be right to say that it understands all the ins and outs of making horse blankets and sheets.

Want to give your horse the much-deserved protection from cold and rain? We believe you will love the All Around HD 1200D Euro Cut turnout blanket by Kensington Protective Products. It comes with a European cut that’s made to provide longer drops on each side and a seamless back for extra coverage during the cold times. The outer shell is designed to make the blanket tear resistant for longevity, while the 3000mm waterproof rating ensures not a drop of water passes the nylon material.

We loved this mode because it offers a lot for an affordable price of $149.99 (cheaper on Amazon). However, if you want to save a few dollars, or have more dollars to spare, then you can always check what the brand offers on Amazon. Here are a few that we think you – and your horse – will love:

Kensington Platinum Collection Light Weight Turnout Horse Blanket
Kensington All Around Adjustable Weanling Horse Blanket
Kensington All Around HD 1200D Euro Cut 300gm Heavy Weight Turnout Blanket
Kensington Platinum Collection 1680D Medium Weight Turnout Blanket

If you are looking for different sizes and colors, this product offers a good range of options to choose from. You can get this blanket from 69 inches to 87 inches, and choose between black, plum, charcoal and navy colors/finishes.

Want a different fit? Check out more blanket options by Kensington Products and protect your horse!

The unique thing about the Stormcheeta Combo turnout blanket is that it comes with a non-detachable combo neck for extra warmth. It’s a heavy-duty blanket with a 400g rating. If the price is too high for you, and you just need a blanket without a neck combo, we think you will love the Shires Tempest Plus 300G Turnout Blanket. It has a 300g rating, but is still a quality blanket!

Shires Stormcheeta Combo Turnout Horse Blanket 400g Navy – Available in 7 Sizes and 3 Colors

Shires Horse Blanket 71C/400G-NAVY-84, 84-inch Navy

Features

Shires are one of the leading brands in equestrian products. For over 45 years, it has been making quality stable equipment, bridles, saddle pads, and blankets to suit different horse owners. It’s more than just a pretty face!

If it’s storming, snowing, windy or sleeting, any good horse owner will not let their horse out without having them covered with a good waterproof blanket. The Stormcheeta Combo Blanket is a heavy-duty type made with 2000 D ballistic nylon. It features Shire’s exclusive ShireTex advanced fabric technology designed to attract any excess moisture and sweat from your horse. The combo neck (not detachable) ensures that your horse stays warmer all the time. For around $279.99, you get tapped seams, reflective strips, a large tail flap, leg straps, slotted cross surcingles, adjustable buckles and chest clips and an integrated neck cover.

During our research, we came across more Shires horse blankets that we believe could be great options as well. Here are some that are worth checking out:

Shires Tempest 200G Stable Blanket
Shires StormBreaker 1200D 100G Turnout Blanket 81
Shires Highlander Lite Turnout Blanket

If you’re looking for a smaller size or a larger one, you can get this turnout blanket on Amazon in 7 sizes, ranging from 69 inches to 87 inches. You can also choose between navy, red and poppy-red colors.

Let your horse enjoy comfortable winter protection with Shires horse blankets. Give your horse what it deserves!

Get the Best Horse Blanket of 2018!

If you care about your horse, there’s no reason to keep it shivering when there’s rain or when winter kicks in. Chances are that he will burn lots of calories trying to keep warm. Horse blankets will give him warmth when needed. We have spent hours researching the best blankets in the market and came up with these awesome picks. It’s our hope that you have found a good horse blanket that will keep your horse strong, warm and cozy throughout.

Our Top Choice

Weatherbeeta Freestyle Blanket

Best Value

Kensington All Round HD Blanket

Shires Stormcheeta Combo Blanket

Derby Originals Blanket

Tough-1 600 Denier Stable Blanket