Sizing · Shires Equestrian
Shires Horse Blanket Size Chart and Fit Guide
Measure once, then read your size in inches or in feet and inches.
Shires horse blankets come in US sizes from 33 to 87 inches in 3-inch steps, measured from the center of the chest to the point of the buttock. A UK size is the same measurement in feet and inches, so a 72" Shires blanket is a 6'0". Shires neck covers run Small to X-Large to match the blanket size.
Size chart
Shires horse blanket size chart: US inches to UK feet
Read across from your horse’s measurement in inches to find the UK size in feet and inches, the European back length and the matching Shires neck cover. Every size is from Shires Equestrian’s own published charts.
| US size (inches) | UK size (feet and inches) | Back length (cm) | Shires neck cover |
|---|---|---|---|
| 33" | 2'9" | 65 | — |
| 36" | 3'0" | 68 | — |
| 39" | 3'3" | 73 | — |
| 42" | 3'6" | 79 | — |
| 45" | 3'9" | 85 | — |
| 48" | 4'0" | 95 | — |
| 51" | 4'3" | 100 | — |
| 54" | 4'6" | 105 | Small |
| 57" | 4'9" | 110 | Small |
| 60" | 5'0" | 115 | Small |
| 63" | 5'3" | 120 | Medium |
| 66" | 5'6" | 125 | Medium |
| 69" | 5'9" | 130 | Medium |
| 72" | 6'0" | 135 | Large |
| 75" | 6'3" | 145 | Large |
| 78" | 6'6" | 150 | Large |
| 81" | 6'9" | 155 | X-Large |
| 84" | 7'0" | 165 | X-Large |
| 87" | 7'3" | 170 | X-Large |
Back length (cm) is the European measurement, taken along the top of the horse from the withers to the tail. Shires lists it for standard-neck turnouts and stable blankets; combos list a longer back length because it includes the neck.
Sizes 33" to 45" use the Shires miniature chart. Shires lists neck covers from the 54" (4'6") size up.
How to measure
How to measure your horse for a Shires blanket
You need a soft tape measure and a helper. Shires measures every US and UK blanket the same way: from the center of the chest to the point of the buttock.
- Stand your horse square on level ground and put one end of the tape at the center of the chest.
- Run the tape along the side, over the point of the shoulder, to the point of the buttock where you want the blanket to end.
- Read the tape in inches. That number is your Shires US size; divide by 12 for the UK size in feet and inches.
- Try the new blanket on over a clean sheet with the tags still on. If it fits, take the tags off; if not, the tags and a clean blanket keep it returnable.
Feet and inches are not inches
Shires’s own size guide warns that a 66" blanket is not the same as a 6'6" blanket. A 66" is a 5'6"; a 6'6" is 78 inches. When a size is written with an apostrophe, it is feet.
Between two sizes
Riders with big-shouldered or broad-chested horses tell us they go up a size when a measurement falls between two. Check the fit at the withers and shoulder: the blanket should sit in front of the withers without pressing on them.
Sizes by line
Shires blanket size runs by line: Tempest, Highlander and more
Each Shires line has its own size run. Turnouts start at 48" (4'0") and the largest run to 87" (7'3"); heavier Highlander Plus turnouts and most stable blankets and coolers start at 57" or 60".
| Shires line | US sizes | UK sizes | Neck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turnouts | |||
| Shires Tempest Original Lite Turnout | 48–87" | 4'0"–7'3" | Standard neck; Tempest Original Lite Neck Cover S–XL |
| Shires Tempest Original 200 Turnout | 48–84" | 4'0"–7'0" | Standard neck; Tempest Original 200 Neck Cover S–XL |
| Shires Tempest Original Lite Combo | 48–87" | 4'0"–7'3" | Built-in neck |
| Shires Highlander Plus Lite Standard Neck Turnout | 48–87" | 4'0"–7'3" | Highlander Plus Lite Neck Cover S–XL |
| Shires Highlander Plus 100G Standard Neck Turnout | 48–87" | 4'0"–7'3" | Highlander Plus 100 Neck Cover S–XL |
| Shires Highlander Plus 200G Standard Neck Turnout | 60–87" | 5'0"–7'3" | Highlander Plus 200G Neck Cover S–XL |
| Shires Highlander Plus 300G Standard Neck Turnout | 60–87" | 5'0"–7'3" | Highlander Plus 300G Neck Cover S–XL |
| Shires Stormcheeta Turnout Set (200g, 300g) | 69–87" | 5'9"–7'3" | Set with neck |
| Stable blankets, sheets and liners | |||
| Shires Tempest Plus Lite Stable Rug | 57–84" | 4'9"–7'0" | Standard neck |
| Shires Tempest Plus 100 Stable Rug | 60–84" | 5'0"–7'0" | Standard neck |
| Shires Tempest Plus 200 Stable Rug | 57–84" | 4'9"–7'0" | Standard neck |
| Shires Tempest Original Stable Sheet | 60–84" | 5'0"–7'0" | Standard neck |
| Shires Warma Rug 100 and 200 (liners) | 48–87" | 4'0"–7'3" | Liner, no neck |
| Coolers and fleece | |||
| Shires Tempest Fleece Rug | 48–84" | 4'0"–7'0" | Standard neck |
| Shires Tempest Original Ultra Dry Cooler | 60–84" | 5'0"–7'0" | Standard neck |
| Shires Deluxe Fleece Rug | 60–87" | 5'0"–7'3" | Standard neck |
| Shires Deluxe Quilted Rug | 60–84" | 5'0"–7'0" | Standard neck |
| Shires Deluxe Air Motion Cooler and Deluxe Tech Cooler | 60–84" | 5'0"–7'0" | Standard neck |
| Minis, exercise sheets and other animals | |||
| Shires Highlander Mini Turnout and Miniature Turnout Lite | 33–48" | 2'9"–4'0" | Standard neck |
| Shires Equi-Flector Mesh Exercise Sheet | 48–60" back length | about 5'3"–6'9" blanket | Exercise sheet |
| Shires Tempest Goat Rug 100 and 200 | Small–XX-Large | — | For goats |
| Shires Tempest Original Calf Coat | Small, Large | — | For calves |
Shires blanket lines
One turnout, stable blanket, cooler and mini from each Shires range
Neck sizing
Shires neck cover and combo neck sizing
A Shires standard-neck turnout takes a separate neck cover from the same line, sized Small to X-Large by the blanket it attaches to. A combo has the neck built in, sized with the blanket.
Neck covers for standard-neck turnouts
| Neck cover | US blanket size | UK blanket size |
|---|---|---|
| Small | 54–60" | 4'6"–5'0" |
| Medium | 63–69" | 5'3"–5'9" |
| Large | 72–78" | 6'0"–6'6" |
| X-Large | 81–87" | 6'9"–7'3" |
Combo neck length by blanket size
| US blanket size | UK blanket size | Neck length (cm) |
|---|---|---|
| 48–54" | 4'0"–4'6" | 54 |
| 57" | 4'9" | 58 |
| 60–66" | 5'0"–5'6" | 62 |
| 69" | 5'9" | 67 |
| 72–78" | 6'0"–6'6" | 70 |
| 81–87" | 6'9"–7'3" | 75 |
Rider to rider
What riders say about Shires blanket fit
Riders tell us Shires sizes are consistent, and that the cut is what changes from line to line. Highlander Plus is the line riders with big-shouldered horses reach for; Tempest suits many horses but some riders find it narrower through the shoulder.
Sizes riders can count on
Shires Tempest Original 200 Turnout
I only buy rugs from Shires Equestrian these days as the sizes are consistent, and so is the quality. I have absolutely no complaints and would confidently recommend.
I find the rugs pretty true to size, but the different cuts across the ranges make a big difference.
Room for shoulders, withers and chests
Shires Highlander Plus turnout
Absolutely love the Shires Highlander rugs. They are the perfect fit for my mare with her big shoulders. And I find they don't rub her mane as bad as other rugs.
Shires Highlander Plus turnout
The highlander plus range fits my narrow, high withered TB perfectly. They don’t slip or move and he gets 0 rub marks. He’s got one in every thickness and they’re all brilliant.
Shires Highlander Plus turnout
I have a highlander plus combo and it's a bigger fit than an old tempest I once had.
Shires Tempest Plus 200 Stable Rug
The Tempest Plus is first class and lovely fit for my mare who is 26. It's great around the chest so keeping her warm. Would recommend this rug.
For a very broad chest, the Shires Chest Expander attaches to the existing buckles at the front of the blanket to add room. See the Shires Chest Expander
Shop Shires blankets and coolers
Shop all ›Turnouts, stable blankets, liners and coolers from every Shires line we carry
Shires Equi-Flector Mesh Exercise Sheet - Orange
Shires Highlander Plus Lite Neck Cover - Navy
Shires Tempest Original Stable Sheet - Navy/Grey
Shires Tempest Plus 200 Stable Rug - Red Tartan
Shires Tempest Original 200 Turnout - Alpaca
Shires Tempest Original 200 Neck Cover - Alpaca
Shires Tempest Original Lite Neck Cover - Alpaca
Shires Deluxe Fleece Rug - Navy
Questions riders ask
Shires blanket sizing FAQ
What size Shires blanket does my horse need?
Measure from the center of your horse’s chest, along the side, to the point of the buttock where the blanket should end. That number in inches is the US size. Shires sizes run from 33 to 87 inches in 3-inch steps, so a 72-inch measurement takes a 72" blanket, which is a UK 6'0".
How do I convert a UK Shires size to a US blanket size?
Multiply the feet by 12 and add the inches. A 6'3" is 75 inches, a 5'9" is 69 inches and a 7'0" is 84 inches. Both systems measure the same line, from the center of the chest to the point of the buttock, so the conversion is exact.
Is a 66" blanket the same as a 6'6" blanket?
No. A 66" blanket is a UK 5'6", and a 6'6" blanket is 78 inches. Shires uses this example in its own size guide, because it is the easiest mix-up to make when a size is written in feet and inches.
Do Shires blankets run true to size?
Riders tell us Shires sizes are consistent from blanket to blanket. Riders also tell us the cut differs between lines: several find Highlander Plus a bigger fit through the shoulder than Tempest.
What size neck cover fits my Shires turnout?
Shires sizes neck covers by blanket size: Small fits 54–60" (4'6"–5'0"), Medium 63–69" (5'3"–5'9"), Large 72–78" (6'0"–6'6") and X-Large 81–87" (6'9"–7'3"). Pick the neck cover from the same line as the turnout so the attachments match.
Which Shires blanket fits a horse with big shoulders?
Riders with big-shouldered and broad-chested horses most often choose Shires Highlander Plus, which has deep shoulder gussets. For a very broad chest, the Shires Chest Expander attaches to the blanket’s front buckles to add room.
How are Shires exercise sheets and mini blankets sized?
The Shires Equi-Flector Mesh Exercise Sheet is sized by back length, 48 to 60 inches, which Shires lists as roughly a 5'3" to 6'9" blanket. Shires Highlander Mini turnouts run 33 to 48 inches (2'9" to 4'0") for minis, foals and small ponies.