As winter approaches, you shoot a worried glance at your beloved horse. Much as we would hate to be left without proper clothes in the cold weather, horses need blankets to keep themselves warm.
But oh my, can picking the right one get confusing!
The thing is, I could easily tell you that the Tough-1 Snuggit Turnout is the best horse blanket. It's made of 1200-denier polyester and comes with cozy 300g polyfill.
But that would be just parroting some vague numbers. It doesn't really answer "Why?" now, does it?
So here's what I propose: let me summarize a few important factors you want to consider when picking the right horse blanket. These do cost a bit and you deserve proper information. Then I'll move on to a quick comparison table and the blankets themselves.
Three questions before you buy
Here's my first question: are you keeping your horse in the stable, or do you let them fully enjoy the outdoors, a.k.a. turnout?
Stable blankets and turnout blankets differ a lot, especially during the winter. There's a simple reason for that: stable blankets aren't waterproof. Two blankets can have the same denier and polyfill, yet the stable one will get soaked in no time, while the turnout will withstand moisture and keep your horse both warm and dry.
If your horse will be outside, definitely go for a waterproof turnout.
There goes my second question: how wild is your horse? Does it thrash around and bite on blankets?
Normal polyester blankets might be durable, but a really rowdy animal could tear through them. In such a case, consider a higher-denier outer shell, a ripstop weave, or ballistic nylon, the material Horseware's Rambo line is known for.
And a third one: is your horse clipped, older, or thin-coated? Those horses lose heat faster and usually need more fill than a horse with a full natural coat and good shelter. More on fill below.
5 winter turnout blankets at a glance
| Blanket | Best for | Outer | Fill | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tough-1 1200D Snuggit 300g | Cold, wet winters; clipped horses | 1200D polyester | 300g (heavy) | Check price on Amazon |
| WeatherBeeta ComFiTec Essential Combo Neck Medium | Medium cold with wind and rain | 1200D ripstop | 220g (medium) | Check price on Amazon |
| Tough-1 1680D Snuggit | Rough, blanket-hard horses | 1680D ripstop | 250g (heavy) | Check price on Amazon |
| Horseware Rambo Original Lite | Rain on milder days | 1000D ballistic nylon | None (sheet) | Check price on Amazon |
| Derby Originals Nordic-Tough 1200D | Minis and ponies | 1200D ripstop | 300g (heavy) | Check price on Amazon |
Important terms for horse blankets
Denier
There are a few terms that horse owners and manufacturers use to gauge how a horse blanket performs. The first one is the denier. A lot of people think that the number of deniers somehow equals the pure strength or durability of an equine blanket.
And they're wrong.
Denier actually measures the weight and density of the fibers a blanket's fabric is made of. The higher the denier, the heavier and denser the yarn. But materials, and how they're woven, matter too. A 1000-denier blanket can lose to a 600-denier blanket if the latter has its fibers woven in a tighter fashion.
The best winter turnout blankets for horses feature higher denier with tight fabrics, as the extra density helps them hold up to winter turnout. Conversely, if the winter temperatures in your region are milder, a lower denier blanket will be a proper lightweight solution.
For moderate conditions, a 600-denier waterproof blanket should be more than fine. For harsher winters or horses that are hard on their blankets, shoot for 1000+ denier.
Polyfill and fiberfill
These two are the second most important measure for horse blankets. Honestly, most products I've seen come with polyfill.
What fill basically measures is the warmth your horse will get from its winter blanket. Polyfill is sandwiched between the inner and outer layer of the blanket. It traps the warmed air between the fibers: here's where your horse's warm comfort comes to life.
A rather light 150 gram fill blanket provides limited warmth and shouldn't be your only blanket for tough winters. On the other hand, a 300 gram polyfill blanket is considered quite heavy-duty. It will bring your pal coziness throughout the coldest of days.
Roughly, 0g is a sheet, around 100g is lightweight, about 150-250g is medium and 250g or more is heavyweight. Brands draw these lines slightly differently, so compare grams rather than names.
Note that a horse that's been clipped will generally need a higher polyfill amount. For example, where a horse with a natural coat gets a 200g polyfill, the clipped animal may need a 300g blanket.
In a way, polyfill is as important as making an informed choice with your saddle pad's fabric.
5 best winter turnout blankets
1. Best waterproof turnout for harsh winters: Tough-1 1200D Snuggit 300g
Tough-1 have a very fitting brand name.
Even a harsh winter will have nothing on your horse with a whole 1200 denier and 300 grams of polyfill. As I mentioned before, that combination means a dense outer shell and heavyweight fill that keeps even clipped horses quite warm. The Snuggit neck is adjustable, so you can align it with your horse's body structure.
Reviewers mention it staying warm and dry in bitterly cold, wet weather, and owners describe it as very adjustable with a good fit. One owner reports a blanket on its fourth winter with the buckles, straps and hooks still working, and another bought it after a big horse ripped through rugs from other brands.
2. Best medium-weight turnout with neck cover: WeatherBeeta ComFiTec Essential Combo Neck
Not every winter calls for a heavyweight. This WeatherBeeta has 220g of polyfill, a medium weight, under a 1200-denier ripstop outer that WeatherBeeta describes as waterproof and breathable, plus an attached neck cover for wind and rain. The smooth lining is meant to reduce rubbing on the coat, a traditional side gusset allows natural movement, and it has twin buckles at the front, adjustable leg straps and twin cross surcingles.
Reviewers report horses staying completely dry in heavy rainstorms, and one owner of a 35-year-old gelding describes it as very warm for nights in the mid-20s°F. Another notes that the neck cover isn't for every horse, so think about whether yours needs one.
3. Best blanket for wilder horses: Tough-1 1680D Snuggit
Where other blankets fail, a heavier outer shell has a better chance of surviving dragging, biting and fence posts. Tough-1 calls this its toughest blanket style: a 1680-denier waterproof ripstop outer with 250 grams of polyfill, the same adjustable Snuggit neck, and D-rings if you want to add a neck cover.
Reviewers mention a good fit on a big-shouldered 17-hand Thoroughbred and a horse kept warm through a storm. They disagree on sizing, with some saying it runs small and others large, so measure your horse instead of copying another brand's size.
4. Best rain sheet for milder days: Horseware Rambo Original Lite
Your horse doesn't need a full-blown denier monster on every wet day. The Rambo Original Lite is a turnout sheet with no fill, so it's for rain and mud rather than deep cold. The outer is 1000-denier ballistic nylon, the material that made the Rambo famous for standing up to rowdy horses, and it's waterproof and breathable. Inside there's a smooth anti-static polyester lining, and the classic Horseware cut includes a full tail flap to keep wind out.
Reviewers praise the build, and one says the cut keeps it from slipping off center. A couple returned it because they wanted something thicker, which makes sense: it's a sheet, so pair it with a filled blanket when it gets cold.
5. Best for minis and ponies: Derby Originals Nordic-Tough 1200D
Small horses get cold too, and standard sizes won't fit them. This heavyweight turnout is made for minis and ponies: a 1200-denier ripstop waterproof shell, 300g of polyfill and a 210T lining. It has reflective panels for low-light turnout, adjustable neck straps and quick-clip double chest buckles.
Reviewers mention a good fit on a pony and a yearling filly, and the straps keeping it from slipping. One owner found it didn't fit a mini donkey's proportions, so check the length against your animal before ordering.
What to look for in a winter turnout blanket
- Turnout, not stable. If your horse goes outside, the blanket must be waterproof.
- Denier and weave. 600D is fine for calm horses in moderate weather; go 1000D or higher, or ripstop or ballistic nylon, for rough horses.
- Fill for your horse. Match grams to your climate and your horse: clipped, older and thin-coated horses need more.
- The right size. Measure from the center of the chest, around the side, to the back of the tail, in inches. That number is the usual US blanket size, but brands cut differently, so check each size chart.
- Neck and straps. Standard necks suit most horses; high or combo necks add cover in wind and rain. Leg straps or a fillet string, plus shoulder gussets, help the blanket stay put without rubbing.
- Care. Clean and dry blankets before storing them, and repair small tears early. Waterproofing wears with time and washing.
FAQ
How do I choose a horse turnout blanket?
Start with where your horse lives: outdoors needs a waterproof turnout. Then pick the fill weight for your climate and your horse's coat, a denier that matches how hard your horse is on blankets, and the size from a chest-to-tail measurement.
What temperature does a horse need a turnout blanket?
There's no single number. A healthy horse with a full winter coat and shelter often copes with cold on its own, while clipped, older or thin-coated horses usually need a blanket sooner. Wind and rain matter as much as temperature. Watch your horse and ask your vet if you're unsure.
Can a horse wear a turnout blanket in the stable?
Yes. A turnout blanket works indoors too. The reverse is the problem: a stable blanket isn't waterproof and shouldn't go out in rain or wet snow.
What is the difference between 1200D and 600D horse blankets?
1200D yarn is heavier and denser than 600D, so the outer shell is usually tougher and more tear resistant. It isn't warmer by itself; warmth comes from the fill.
What is the toughest horse blanket?
Look for a high-denier outer (1200D to 1680D or more), a ripstop weave or ballistic nylon. No blanket is indestructible, but these hold up best to biting, rolling and fences.