The Blanket Debate
Winter has come late here to Colorado, if it has really come at all yet. But we at least got our first real snow. That was my cue to give my two cents in what has caused many a kerfuffle on social media.
To blanket or not to blanket?
This question has caused many a temper to flare. Thankfully, I’ve never been caught up in the debate, and I’ve spent very little time scrolling through the not-so-witty repartees that have erupted.
I’ve heard everything along the spectrum. The always-blanketers who keep their ponies cozy the moment the temps threaten to drop. Then on the opposite end, I’ve heard one lady who said it’s good for her horses to shiver; that’s what they were designed to do to keep them warm anyway.
I fall somewhere in the middle (though admittedly far from the shivering-is-good lady). There’s a few things I take into account when decided whether or not to blanket my horses.
Weather: What’s the temperature gonna be? Down into the teens and below zero, a blanket may be well warranted. I tend to look more towards precipitation. If the horses are more likely to get wet when the temps drop, there’s a greater chance they’ll get cold. Winter snows here tend to be dryer, creating a thick layer of warmth on the horses back to act as an insulating blanket. Spring snows, on the other hand, hold more moisture. I know from personal experience how hard it is to warm up a horse who’s soaked and cold, and I’d prefer not to put them through that if I don’t have to.
Shelter: Shelter access is important for any horse to have. Something to block the wind and wet will go a long way to keeping your horse comfortable. Having a sturdy shelter often eliminates the need for any blanket. But then if you have a bossy gelding like Luka, who likes to push his friends out in the cold to keep the shed to himself (even in a 24 ft shed), his pasture mates may need a blanket to protect against their friend’s selfishness.
Body Condition: This includes coat length, weight, and other physical factors. I try not to blanket early winter to encourage coat growth, but with the late spring snows we get when the horses are nearly shed out, I am more inclined to throw a blanket on the ones that may need it. Or if I have a clipped or thinner horse, I am more likely to put a blanket on when the temps are gonna dip, especially if there’s a good chance of them getting wet.
Got a super fuzzy horse? Or plump? Probably don’t need a blanket. My sister’s minis are that way. They thrive in the cold.
Luka’s arthritis also plays a factor. I am far more likely to blanket him in less severe weather, since the extra warmth soothes his neck arthritis and kissing spines. Given too that he’s from Europe, he doesn’t always handle the cold as well as some.
Age: Currently having a herd of more senior horses, I am especially keen to keep an eye on their well-being. Jet - 29 as of 2025 - will get a blanket more often than not because he has a harder time keeping himself warm than others. Thankfully, he tolerates my coddling. Or say you have a very young foal born in a cold snap, in which case a cute little blanket it more than acceptable. Older foals are surprisingly hardy and tend to do just fine romping around in the cold and snow.
In general, it is up to you - not me, not Facebook, not your trusted friend - to know what’s best for your horse. Listen to what they’re telling you. Watch for changes in behavior that could indicate your horse is struggling in the cold. And just as important, provide plenty of feed, access to clean water, and adequate shelter. Extra electrolytes never hurt either. All of these help mitigate the toll the cold can take on your horse.
Being a good horse owner is all about listening. Listen to your four-legged friends. They will tell you what they need.
P.S. Here’s a blanketing guide I like from SmartEquine (not a sponsor). They go into way more depth than I do.