Does Your Horse Need a Blanket?

So does your four-legged equine friend need a horse blanket when it's cold outside, or not? It's a simple question, but the answer is not always so. There are a lot of parameters to deciding whether or not to blanket your horse, and some of the questions you need to ask yourself are: Is the temperature below 50 degrees F? Is the horse very young or very old? Sick or thin? Is the horse outside? Does he have access to a shed or shelter? Does the forecast call for rain, sleet or snow? Is the horse shivering? This humorous yet informative flow chart might help:

Infographic created by Dr. Betsy Wagner of The Equine Program at Auburn University

The infographic was created by Dr. Betsy Wagner, an equine scientist and associate professor in the Department of Animal Sciences at Auburn University. Passionate about science and research, and a lifelong horse lover, Wagner is the University's go-to expert for everything related to horses and enjoys helping the average horse owner make informed decisions through scientific evidence.

If your horse needs a blanket -- or a lightweight sheet -- be sure to check out Jeffers Equine's extensive selection of horse blankets, sheets and turnouts, many of which are now on sale.