How to Make a Foal Blanket

Breeding horses is not something to be taken lightly. They are large, powerful animals and it takes considerable time, effort and money to raise them properly. Horses are fairly hardy creatures, although foals born in adverse weather conditions need extra care to thrive. Foal blankets can help insulate your newest additions and protect them during particularly cold or wet weather.

Things You'll Need

  • Measuring tape Notebook Large hooded sweatshirt with zipper Scissors Permanent marker Elastic webbing 2 Velcro strips, each 6 inches long Sewing machine or needle and thread
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Instructions

    • 1

      Measure the foal just behind the withers and at mid-belly, adding 4 inches to each measurement and write them in your notebook. These measurements will be used to make the support bands that will help hold the blanket close to the foal’s body.

    • 2

      Cut the sleeves off the sweatshirt and place it on the foal. Unzip the shirt, picking up the foal’s front feet and placing them inside the arm holes. Zip the shirt up along the underside of the foal’s belly and pull the hood up over his ears. Place an “X” over the location of each ear and remove the sweatshirt from the foal.

    • 3

      Use the scissors to cut small slits over the marks in the hood to free the foal’s ears. Foals lose heat from their heads much like humans do, and get chilled easily if their heads are exposed. Cut small slits to begin with, expanding them a little at a time if the initial cuts are too small.

    • 4

      Sew one side of each Velcro strip to opposite ends of the elastic webbing. The Velcro strips hold the sweatshirt on the foal and offer an extra measure of protection to keep the shirt tight against his body and keep him from catching a foot in it.

    • 5

      Cut two strips of elastic webbing to match the measurements in your notebook and sew them to the sweatshirt. Place one end of the strap on the left side of the zipper directly behind the arm holes and sew all the way around the shirt, leaving the excess strap hanging down. Sew the other strap 6 inches down from the first.

    • 6

      Place the sweatshirt back on the foal to check for proper fit. Make sure the Velcro fastens tightly and the foal’s ears move freely inside the ear holes.