Getting a Good Blanket Fit

Shorter days morning frost and fallen leaves to sweep off the path are telltale signs of fall. Similar to the way the spring sunshine starts the grass and flowers growing our horse takes his cue from the decreasing daylight hours to start growing a warm winter coat and starts hairing up up even while the weather is still warm. When the fuzzies start to grow its time to consider your horses winter care and wardrobe options. With adequate shelter from wind and precipitation proper feed access to fresh water and room to move and maintain body heat most horses will be comfortable spending the winter outdoors wearing only their natural thick coats and in general theyll be healthier than their stabled counterparts.

But wearing a heavy winter coat is just not practical for horses that work or show in the winter months and once natures winter coat has been clipped off it must be replaced with adequate cold weather protection. For special cases such as the older underweight or ill equines and for those not acclimatized to the cold blanketing is also a good idea.
Once the decision to blanket has been made or if last years blanket just wont stand up to another seasons wear and tear its time to find your horse some new threads. Take the time to make sure your horses new blanket fits him to a tee and provides him with the protection he needs. Here are some tips for getting the best blanket fit possible.
1 Know what you want. Before you go out and buy a fancy new blanket decide exactly what your horse needs. Take into consideration the average climate where you live whether your horse will be stabled most of the winter how much hell be turned out and how much natural winter coat he will wear. Will he be clipped for schooling or showing? Is he a senior who needs a little help to keep warm? Or does he just need an extra layer of protection from water and wind to help him weather the worst winter storms?   
One of the problems common to horse owners is overblanketing according to Vickie Forster founder of the now permanently closed Dog Pony Shop in Ladner BC which for 20 years sold highend equestrian supplies to clients all over the world. A lot of horses here are stabled most of the time so they