Find the Right Blanket
for Your Horse
From lightweight sheets to heavy turnouts — everything you need to know to buy, fit, and care for horse blankets with confidence.
Shop All Blankets & Sheets →Understanding the Types of Horse Clothing
Not all blankets are created equal. Each type is designed for a specific environment and purpose — getting this right means your horse stays comfortable and you get years of use out of every piece.
Turnout Blanket / Rug
Worn outside in the field. Waterproof or water-resistant outer shell keeps rain, wind, and mud out. Available in various fill weights from 0g to 400g+.
Shop Turnouts →Stable Blanket
Designed for use indoors only — not waterproof. Softer lining and lighter shell since your horse isn't exposed to the elements. Great for clipped horses in cold barns.
Shop Stable Blankets →Sheet
A no-fill blanket (0g) that blocks wind and light rain without adding warmth. Perfect as a layering piece over a liner, or on its own in mild, wet weather.
Shop Sheets →Blanket Liner
A secondary fill layer that clips inside your existing blanket to boost warmth without buying a whole new rug. Versatile and cost-effective — especially useful in unpredictable climates.
Shop Liners →Fly Sheet
Worn in warm weather to protect against flies, mosquitoes, and UV rays. Mesh construction allows airflow. Many also provide sun protection for horses prone to coat bleaching.
Shop Fly Sheets →Cooler & Wicking Rug
Used after exercise to wick moisture away and prevent chilling while your horse dries. Also useful under a turnout on cold wash days. A must-have in any tack room.
Shop Coolers →The Fill Weight Guide
Fill weight (measured in grams per square metre, or gsm) tells you how warm a blanket is — not how heavy. More fill = more insulation. Here's how to decode the numbers on the label.
| Fill Weight | Type | Best For | Temp Range | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
0g — Sheet |
Sheet / Unlined | Wind & light rain protection. Layering over a liner. Horses that are not clipped and live in mild climates. | 40°F+ (5°C+) | Shop → |
50–100g |
Lightweight | Clipped horses in cool weather. Unclipped horses in cold snaps. Great transitional piece for spring and fall. | 30–45°F (−1–7°C) | Shop → |
150–200g |
Mediumweight | The everyday workhorse. Suits most clipped horses across a wide temperature range. A good single-blanket solution for most winters. | 20–35°F (−7–2°C) | Shop → |
250–400g+ |
Heavyweight | Fully clipped horses, horses that are easy keepers in extreme cold, or horses that live outdoors 24/7 in harsh winters. | Below 20°F (−7°C) | Shop → |
The Layering System
Rather than buying multiple blankets at different fills, many riders use a lightweight sheet or liner as the second layer inside a heavier turnout. This gives you two effective warmth levels from two pieces — and a comfortable horse when the weather swings by 30 degrees overnight.
Measuring Your Horse for the Right Fit
Horse blankets are sized in inches — measured along the horse's body, not by height or weight. Getting this right matters: a blanket that's too big slips and rubs; too small restricts movement and causes pressure points.
Grab a soft tape measure
A rigid tape will give you an inaccurate reading. A dressmaker's tape or string you can then measure against a ruler both work well.
Find the centre of your horse's chest
This is where the blanket fastens at the front. Place the end of your tape here, at the point of the chest.
Measure along the side of the body
Run the tape parallel to the ground, along the widest point of the shoulder, following the curve of the barrel, all the way to the point of the buttock.
Round up to the nearest even number
If you measure 75 inches, size to 76. Between two sizes? Go up — a blanket that's an inch too large is more comfortable than one that's an inch too small.
Pony Sizing
Ponies are sized in inches the same way, but look for blankets specifically designed for pony proportions — wider short body, fuller neck. A standard 60" horse blanket on a large pony will gap at the chest and slip back.
General Sizing Reference
| Measurement | Blanket Size | Typical For |
|---|---|---|
| 54–58" | 54 / 56 / 58 | Small pony |
| 60–62" | 60 / 62 | Large pony / small horse |
| 64–66" | 64 / 66 | 15–15.3hh horse |
| 68–70" | 68 / 70 | 16–16.2hh horse |
| 72–74" | 72 / 74 | 16.3–17.1hh horse |
| 76–78" | 76 / 78 | 17.2hh+ / Warmblood |
| 80–82" | 80 / 82 | Draft / Extra large |
This is a general guide only. Always check the brand's specific sizing chart — Amigo and Weatherbeeta, for example, size consistently but can differ from each other by an inch at the shoulder.
Denier & Waterproofing: What the Numbers Mean
Denier measures the thickness and durability of the outer shell fabric — not the warmth. A higher denier means a tougher, more tear-resistant shell. For horses that are hard on their rugs, this matters as much as fill weight.
Waterproofing: Check the Rating
Waterproofing is measured in millimetres (mm) — how much water pressure the fabric can withstand. 1000mm handles light rain; 1500–2000mm handles sustained rain and wet grazing; 3000mm+ is for horses in genuinely soggy climates. Waterproofing wears off over time — reproof annually with a spray-on waterproofer after washing to restore full performance.
Temperature Guide: When to Blanket
There's no universal answer — whether to blanket depends on your horse's clip status, age, body condition, and what they're used to. That said, here's a reliable framework most riders use as their starting point.
below −7°C
−7 to 2°C
2 to 10°C
10 to 16°C
16°C+
Trust Your Horse, Not Just the Thermometer
Check under the blanket regularly — you're looking for a horse that feels dry and comfortable at the base of the neck. Shivering means too cold; sweating means too warm. A blanket that was right last week may need adjusting as the season changes, your horse's condition shifts, or their clip grows out.
Shop by Type
Not sure where to start? Find exactly what you need by type — all at Tack of the Day discount prices.
Full waterproof protection for turnout in all weather. Available in lightweight, medium, and heavyweight fills.
Shop All Turnouts →250g fill and above — for the coldest nights and horses that feel the cold. Clipped horses and poor doers love these.
Shop Heavyweight →The transitional layers — perfect for autumn arrivals and spring departures, and mild winters that rarely dip below freezing.
Shop Lightweight → Shop Medium →Integrated or detachable neck covers extend warmth and protection for horses sensitive to cold on the topline and neck.
Shop Neck Covers →Add warmth to any existing turnout or stable blanket. A liner is the most versatile piece in a layering system.
Shop Liners →Cut for pony proportions — wider, shorter body and fuller neck. No more slipping back or gaping at the chest.
Shop Pony Blankets →Brands We Carry
We stock the blanket brands riders actually trust — the ones that hold up through a full winter, wash after wash.
With over 1,000 blankets in stock, we carry a wide range of brands and price points. Use the brand filter on the horse blankets page to narrow your search.
Fit Details & Attachment Systems
A blanket that fits well at purchase can become a problem if the fastening system doesn't suit your horse's shape or movement. Here's what to look for.
Cross Surcingles
The belly straps that cross underneath to keep the blanket from sliding back. Should be snug enough to fit a hand's width — tight enough to stay put, loose enough not to restrict breathing.
Leg Straps
Loop through each other between the hind legs to prevent the back from lifting in wind. Adjust so you can fit two fingers through each loop. Leg straps are particularly important on rugs worn in wet, windy conditions.
Chest Closures
Most modern turnouts use double-buckle chest closures or quick-release clips. Clips are faster; buckles are more adjustable for horses with unusual neck widths. Check for gapping or pulling at the chest when fitted.
Shoulder Gussets
Freedom of movement at the shoulder prevents rubbing and allows a natural stride. Look for shaped shoulder panels or gussets on rugs worn on active horses or those turned out with others.
Wither Clearance
Once on, you should be able to slide your hand flat between the front of the rug and your horse's withers. Pressure here causes rubbing quickly — a common source of blanket-related soreness.
Tail Flap & Rug Length
The rug should reach the top of the tail, covering the hindquarters without going past the point of the buttock. Too short leaves the hindquarters exposed; too long shifts the whole rug back during movement.
Care & Storage
A good blanket is an investment. Proper care extends its life by years — and keeps your horse comfortable in a clean, functional rug all season long.
Washing
Use a specialist horse blanket wash — standard detergents strip waterproofing. Wash in cold or warm water on a gentle cycle, or take it to an equine laundry if it's a large or heavily soiled rug. Never tumble dry unless the label specifically says so.
Reproofing
Waterproofing wears off with use and washing. After each season's wash, apply a spray-on waterproof reproofer while the rug is still damp. This restores the DWR (durable water repellent) coating and keeps water beading off the surface.
Regular Inspection
Check blankets weekly while in use — look for loose leg straps, fraying stitching at the surcingles, holes from rubbing or fence-catching, and areas where the fill has compressed. Small repairs done early prevent big replacements later.
End-of-Season Storage
Wash and dry thoroughly before storing — putting a damp or dirty blanket away guarantees mould and odour. Store in a breathable bag (not sealed plastic) in a cool, dry place. Check for pest damage before use at the start of next season.
Season-Start Checklist
Ready to Shop?
1,000+ blankets, sheets & coolers at Tack of the Day prices. New deals added daily.
Visit the Blanket Center →