[Brandi1985]

I was thinking about getting Dezi a blanket. She is still underweight but is starting to gain some back. Its been in the 20's during the day and the teens at night. Over the weekend the highs are around 10-15 at night 0-5 degrees. I live by Lake Michigan so we get a lot of lake effect snow. Its going to be snowing for the next week on and off. the horses have a run in barn for shelter. I know being cold is not going to help her gain weight. Ive never had a blanket before, so I dont know what to get for her. Such as how thick, how to tel what size. I was looking on ebay and saw some for $10 with $10 s&h. But I dont know if those would be good to get. Also could she wear it all the time? Also if you have anymore info or suggestions please let me know. Thanks

[Quick2Skip01]

I would suggest getting her a winter blanket. Definitely. Its been really cold around here, and if she needs to gain weight, a blanket will help her not waste so much energy on staying warm. Im not sure if there is a tractor supply in Muskegon, but we got some thick, insulated blankets for around $50.

She should be fine if you leave the blanket on, just make sure you check it reguarly for rubs, and let her get out of it for a little like when you groom her, etc.

Sizes are measured from the middle of the chest to the tail I believe. It depends on what brand sometimes.

[Acme Acres]

Brandi, take a measurement from the middle of her chest to the side of her tail (if you're measuring on the left measure to the left side of her tail). Make sure you use something that doesn't give when you do the measurement. Stay away from foam insulation. It doesn't do a good job at all of keepign them warm. Personally I'd go with a 300 gram insulation. A good blanket will run you about $80 new, but check around on Tacktrader.com - Buy, Sell, and Trade Tack, Trailers & Trucks Online - TackTrader.com or Horse BlanketTERTIARY_SECTIONNew and used horse blankets The higher the denier, the less apt they are to rip (it's a thread count). A 420d is basically a stable blanket and I'd personally recommend a turn out so it doesn't have a seam down the back that could cause water to seep in! BMB, Big D, Shires, Triple Crown, Badger Tuff are all good ones. Derby Originals makes a nice 1200 denier that's pretty reasonable. SHS: Products

[Brandi1985]

thanks for the quick replies. quick2skip there is a tsc in n. muskegon. I need to get grain later this week so I will check it out. checked there web site but didnt see any. I see your from grand rapids so you know what weather im talking about. thanks again

[Quick2Skip01]

Originally Posted by Brandi1985

thanks for the quick replies. quick2skip there is a tsc in n. muskegon. I need to get grain later this week so I will check it out. checked there web site but didnt see any. I see your from grand rapids so you know what weather im talking about. thanks again

Sometimes TSC has them, and sometimes they dont. Last year they only had them for a month or so. They might be able to order you one, but I would check prices before having them order one. you might luck out and they might have them. Yea its definitely been really chilly. Glad to help. Acme also gave you some great advice. Definitley check ebay, and tacktrader. Or maybe some auctions, I know Ravenna auction has their horse/tack sale the 3rd saturday of everymonth, but that might be too long to wait.

[DancerLover08]

Definately get a heavy blanket. Around 300 grams should be a good weight. Measure from the center of her chest to the edge of her tail, and that is her blanket measurement. She can wear it all the time, just make sure it fits well, or it will give her shoulder rubs.

[Shotgun93]

If she already has a good winter coat and you do blanket her, you need to watch her and make sure she doesn't over-heat. That will cause her to sweat and become dehydrated, causing more harm than good. Horses are really good at regulating their own temperature, adding a blanket takes that ability away.
Free choice hay is her best defense of the cold, that's what will keep her warm. Adding extra calories to her diet is what will put weight on.

If you do chose a blanket, you'd be better getting a couple different weights - medium and heavy weight at least. You will have to montitor her and the temps outside and switch blankets for the weather. If you plan on having her wear them all the time (which you will have to do if she starts shedding out her winter coat, which she probably will), you'll need to invest in a good quality blankets. Make sure they are waterproof and breathable, have leg surcingles and two belly surcingles. Rambo, higher end weatherbeeta and TurtleNeck are good choices.

[Brandi1985]

she has a decent coat. she has alot have bare spots from the other horses nipping her. they do have free choice hay and im going to get her some higher fat grain friday. maybe weight gainer too, see if that helps. Ive checked out the places acme acre and others online, so I just have to deside which one and how much I want to spend. cheaper is better. I dont have a job right now. Thanks again for all the help

[Shotgun93]

Honestly, if she has a good coat, it might be fruitless for you to blanket her. She will probably loose that coat and then you'll be stuck having to play the blanket game until summer.
If she has free choice hay, she has all she needs to stay warm. If you are looking to put weight on, add some good calorie sources. I don't know what hard feed you have her on now, but adding something to it like BOSS, alfalfa pellets, beet pulp or rice bran would be better. BOSS has a high level of fat and calories, it's excellent for weight gain.

I have a skinny arab that I had to put weight on in December when our high temps were in the single digits. Feeding many horses, I didn't want to deal with blanketing him, so I just provided free choice, added beet pulp and BOSS to his diet of SafeChoice and he put on plently of weight.

A good quality blanket, one that you won't have to replace in a month will run you between $150-200. Schneiders has good quality blankets for less, if you can find them. And, as I said, you'll want at least a medium weight and a heavy weight.

[Showjumping Hol]

Hmmm, if your horse really feels the cold I'd get her a winter blanket. It would help her keep warm. But you need to make sure she doesn't over-heat. Everyday put your hand in under her coat and check she is not sweating or boiling hot. When you take off her blanket you can check then too.