Use a cloth dressmaker’s tape to measure your Appaloosa from the center of his chest, lengthwise along his side to the center of his tail. This measurement, in inches, is the size blanket he needs.

Blankets add management time, so be sure you want to make the commitment.

Blanketing bravado

Learn how to properly measure your Appaloosa for a blanket or sheet

September is here, and fall is bringing chilly evening temperatures with her. Now’s the time to decide whether or not to blanket your Appaloosa for the winter. By getting your blankets in order now, you’ll have them ready when the thermometer dips. Here are some tips to get you started.

1. First, decide if it’s necessary to blanket your Appaloosa over the winter. Pros: Blankets can help conserve calories and get an unthrifty or senior horse through the winter easier; a blanketed horse also develops less hair-coat, meaning he’ll sweat less during winter workouts; and using blankets can help keep a horse in show condition. Cons: Blankets add extra management time during the winter, so be sure you want to make the blanketing commitment.

2. Make sure your blankets and sheets fit your Appaloosa well. A wrong-size blanket can cause chafing and rubbing on your horse’s body, creating sore, hairless patches. Wearing a blanket that’s too large also creates a hazard for your horse because long straps can get caught on the animal or on protruding objects in his environment. Use a cloth dressmaker’s tape to measure your Appaloosa from the center of his chest, lengthwise along his side to the center of his tail. This measurement, in inches, is the size blanket he needs.

3. Keep your blankets, sheets and coolers clean by following the manufacturer’s laundering directions. Some blankets are treated with special waterproofing agents that regular detergents can destroy, so choose a gentle cleanser designed for horse blankets or ski clothing. Make sure to remove or buckle all straps before washing, and hang dry to prevent shrinking. Treat the blanket with a disinfectant or fungicide if necessary.

4. Check the manufacturer’s directions to make sure you’re buckling the blanket’s straps correctly. For safety reasons, keep all straps as snug as possible without constricting your Appaloosa’s movement.

5. Immediately repair any snags, rips or holes in your blankets before they become worse. In a pinch, use duct tape or iron-on patches to cover snags.

6. Buy a spare. Horses tend to destroy blankets, so keep an extra blanket in your horse’s size on hand just in case you need a backup. Spare blankets also come in handy for laundry day when your Appaloosa needs something else to wear.

STORY AND PHOTO BY MICHELLE ANDERSON