Should I blanket my horse?
Enter your city and state or ZIP to get your horse's local blanket recommendation.
Should I blanket my horse?
Quick answer: there is no single temperature at which every horse needs a blanket. Compare tonight's cold, rain and wind with your horse's coat, condition and usable shelter. Enter your location above for the weather part of that decision.
A healthy, acclimated horse with a dry winter coat, enough forage and shelter may cope with cold weather without a blanket. A clipped, thin, senior or unwell horse can need more protection. Start with the temperature chart, then compare your horse with the forecast.
What should I check for tonight?
- Forecast through your next check: review the overnight low, rain timing, wind and morning warm-up.
- Coat and clipping: a full, dry winter coat insulates differently from a clipped coat.
- Exposure and shelter: cold rain and wind can change the decision. Check whether your horse actually uses its shelter.
- The horse itself: check body condition and feel beneath any blanket for sweat, dampness or rubbing. Reassess as temperatures rise.
The tool uses weather and your adjustable thresholds. Coat, health and shelter still need your assessment. Persistent shivering, unusual lethargy or other signs of illness warrant veterinary advice.
Read the evidence: University of Maine's blanketing guide and UGA Extension's horse-specific considerations.
Plan both checks: the coldest conditions before your next visit, and when a morning warm-up may make the same blanket too warm. The calculator uses weather and your thresholds; it does not automatically assess clipping, age, health or shelter.
How recommendations work · Horse care guides · Contact and corrections