Choose the Best Horse Clothing for Your Horse's Needs

Horseware Ireland Mio Fly Sheet

Your horse doesn't always need to be covered up with horse blankets and sheets, but when it does, make sure you choose the best horse clothing for the situation. You can choose turnout blankets for the winter time, turnout sheets when the weather is warmer, fly sheets for relief from flies and UV rays, stable blankets and sheets for indoor use, and fleece coolers for drying wet or sweaty horses or to use as a liner.

The higher the denier, the heavier and denser the weave of a blanket or a sheet will be. The greater the number, the more resistant to rips and tears that the blanket or sheet is. If you have one of those horses that tends to demolish any sheet or blanket in vicinity of him, then your best choice would be to go with a denier of 1200 or higher.

Turnout blankets are made with differing amounts of polyfill. Polyfill affects the weight and warmth of the blanket. The higher the amount of polyfill, the warmer the blanket will keep your horse. Generally speaking, horse blankets with polyfill are only meant for cold weather. Another difference among turnout blankets is the cut of the neck. A turnout blanket can come with a standard neck, high neck, attached neck, or detachable neck.

A standard neck is ideal for mild climates. High necks help to prevent drafts along the neck of the blanket. They are also ideal for horses with a more prominent wither where a standard neck might cause rubbing. Attached necks and detachable necks are need in the colder climates to keep your horse comfortable in the extreme cold. Horse sheets are available for a variety of purposes, and can be used year round.

Turnout sheets are just like horse blankets, but with no fill. They can be used in turnout to keep your horse dry when it is raining or to keep your horse clean if you are getting ready for a show.

Fly sheets are a necessity to keep bugs and UV rays off your horse during the hot summer months. All horses can benefit from the relief that a fly sheet provides, but horses suffering from fly allergies depend on this added protection. Fly sheets will also benefit those horses that sunburn easily.

Jeffers Elite Fleece Cooler

Stable blankets and stable sheets are designed to be used inside a barn where horses are protected. Generally speaking, stable blankets and sheets are not as durable as turnout blankets and sheets. These tear more easily and are not waterproof. Turnouts blankets or sheets can be used as stable blankets or sheets, but not vice versa.

Lastly, fleece coolers can have a couple of different uses in your barn. Fleece coolers are great for speeding the drying time on a freshly bathed or sweaty horse. Fleece coolers also make excellent liners under another sheet or blanket. Your horse should never be turned out in only his fleece cooler because they can tear easily due to the nature of the material.

Jeffers Equine has a wide variety of horse blankets and sheets to suit every need. Choose the best one for your horse by visiting our Horse Blankets, Sheets and Turnouts category.