Keeping your horses healthy and comfortable all the time is essential, and this should be your top priority, especially in winter and when the weather starts getting chillier. Aside from keeping it inside, the second best thing you can do is to invest in horse blankets and sheets. They certainly make the best product used for protecting horses from cold weather, however, they also seem great at protecting horses from rain, excessive heat and the annoying flying insects in summer.
What Are Horse Blankets?
While horse blankets and sheets offer the utmost protection, the truth is that you should know that they have different compositions. That being said, you should know that horse blankets are designed to provide horses with the needed warmth and protection from the elements. Blankets are thicker than sheets which explains the fact of their use under cold and extreme weather conditions.
Purpose
As you may already know by now, the main purpose of blankets is to protect them from the elements, but also during the cold winter months. Thanks to their material, they are perfect for helping the body trap heat and insulate the horse from low temperatures and wind.
Cold weather, on the other hand, is also the main culprit for causing muscle and joint stiffness in horses, and these blankets seem great in keeping their body warm. They are also great for improving mobility and reducing the risk of having any injuries.
The last but not least benefit of owning a blanket for your horse is that will also keep it clean for a longer time. These blankets seem perfect for protecting horses from dirt and debris, especially under rainy and windy weather conditions.
Materials
Generally speaking, there are several materials used for this purpose, so the type you choose will only depend on your needs.
Polyester
This is one of the most common materials used for the design of blankets because it's durable, waterproof, quality and resistant to wear. When compared to some other materials, it seems that horse blankets made from polyester are lighter in weight which seems perfect as they won't compromise on warmth and weight. Without feeling heavy, polyester blankets can provide horses with the utmost protection and warmth.
Nylon
This man-made material is also known for its immense durability and quality. Just like polyester, nylon is also water-resistant and it is usually coated with a waterproof finish to keep your horse dry all the time especially under wet weather conditions.
Fleece
Fleece blankets are used for those who want to provide their horses with an extra level of warmth.
Wool
Wool is another choice for adding an extra level of warmth to horses, but unlike fleece, they double the purpose. This natural material is known for its therm-regulating properties, keeping your horse warm in winter and cooler in the warmer time of the year.
What Are Horse Sheets?
Compared to horse blankets, sheets are lighter and they offer less insulation. They are made to give your horse lightweight protection from dirt, but especially from light rain and insects. Unlike blankets, they are lighter and won't provide them with too much warmth, making them the ideal option for being worn during the warmer months of the year.
Purpose
As already mentioned, these sheets seem to be the ideal option against annoying insects like mosquitoes, flies and so on. They also seem great at protecting your horse from harmful UV rays, as most of them happen to have UV-blocking properties. Horse sheets are perfect for being worn during mild weather conditions to provide your horse with the needed subtle warmth.
Material
Cotton
Cotton is one of the best and most breathable materials used for this occasion. Being natural and light in weight makes it the ideal option for being used in summer as it will provide your horse with the needed insect and sun protection while keeping it cool thanks to its breathability.
Polypropylene
Sheets made from polypropylene are durable, lightweight and breathable. They are mainly used for turnout sheets which is why they are used for withstanding the daily wear and tear.
Mesh
Mesh sheets are perfect for one purpose – to keep insects at bay. Being mesh means that they are best for being used in summer.
What Are Horse Coolers?
As the name suggests, horse coolers are used for keeping horses cool. They are great for helping them regulate the body temperature which can come in handy when horses need to cool down after an intense workout or after spending a great amount of time under the hot summer sun.
Purpose
Well, you already know that these covers are used for keeping horses cool after an intense exercise. Preventing chills and keeping them comfortable is also their benefit as thanks to their help, horses can cool down easily without exposing their body to staying damp for a longer period which can lead to muscle stiffness and the development of chills.
Materials
Fleece
Fleece is the perfect cooling material as it is known for its excellent moisture-wicking properties. It's perfect for absorbing sweat and letting it evaporate.
Wool
Similar to fleece, wool is also known for its amazing moisture-wicking properties with the main difference of its origin. While fleece is a man-made material, wool is natural and it can also regulate body temperature.
Cotton
The last but not least material you can choose from is cotton. This lightweight and absorbent material is breathable and can be used when the weather is warmer and cooler, and practice shows that it is a great post-exercise cooling tool.
