What Size of Blanket to Use for 1100 Pound Horse

Blankets keep horses warm during winter, cool in summer, repel flies and insects, aid cooling off after exercise and to keep dry from rain. A horse's weight has little to do with finding a correctly fitting blanket.

  1. Measuring Preparation

    • To correctly measure your horse make sure he stands on level ground. It's best to get him to stand square, which means the front legs straight together and the hind legs straight together. Have someone hold your horse to maintain this stance.

    Measuring

    • Standing on your horse's side, take a measuring tape and begin measuring in inches from the center of the horse's chest. Continue measuring toward the back of the horse. Make sure to measure around the bulkiest part of the horse's shoulder. When you reach the horse's hind end you should end the measurement in the center of the horse's tail, 10 to 12 inches below where the tail joins his body. You'll have the measurement in inches that will serve as your horse's blanket size.

    Badly Fitted Blankets

    • A badly fitting blanket can cause damage. A blanket too small can rub a horse's wither and neck, creating discomfort for your horse. A blanket too large will allow rain, snow and mud to gather underneath the blanket. A large blanket also poses a danger by potentially slipping off the horse's back, tripping and hobbling the horse.