Horse Warmth in Winter

Q. In the winter, how do I know if my horse is warm enough? Is his winter coat sufficient for warmth or does he need a blanket too?

A. Horses respond to the shortened days leading up to winter by growing a winter coat. It is this hefty fur coat and the underlying fat that insulates a horse against inclement weather. Sheds and stalls provide additional protection from wind, rain and snow.

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However, a thin horse or a hard keeper may need added protection from the elements. In today’s age of hi-tech materials, there is a huge selection of blanket possibilities. So, when you drive down a country road, you will likely see horses sporting all colors and types of blankets in the chilly winter weather. How can you tell if your horse is comfortably warm and snug beneath his blanket, or if he is OK without one?

As a general rule, most healthy, unclipped horses don’t need added blanket protection in temperatures above 10 – 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Below that, a blanket helps conserve calories and keep your horse comfortable. A wet horse often shivers as a natural response in order to warm the muscles. This does not necessarily mean a horse is chilled, but rather it’s his body’s way of coping with the environment. Offering extra grass hay will help him stay warm from the inside out by utilizing the natural combustion chamber of the hindgut as it digests the high fiber ration.

If your horse is blanketed, put your hand beneath the blanket to see if he feels dry and toasty warm. If so, then he is likely just fine. The danger comes from over-blanketing. Too much insulation, particularly on a warmish day with the sun shining, creates a possibility of overheating. If your horse feels slightly damp (sweaty) beneath his blanket, then the blanket needs to be removed. A fat horse or one with a dense and thick winter coat may do better if left without a blanket. Usually, a good plan is to remove a blanket during the day, especially when the sun is out, and then replace it in the evening when the temperature drops. If your horse doesn’t wear a blanket, be sure to brush out his fur and remove mud and dirt so his hair will fluff up to retain heat.

—Nancy S. Loving, DVM

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View Comments

cheyenne says:
October 5, 2007 at 12:42 pm
My mare is on pasture and I can only see her in the evenings since I work at Five a.m. and she lives six miles in the opposite direction and I carpool.
She is in her thirties and can't chew hay ('wavy' teeth) so I give her a pellet slurry with apple and carrot grated in as well as seaweed.
I put a blanket on her 24 hours a day if her condition is four or below. Is this okay in the Seattle area where it seldom freezes ?
Linette says:
October 7, 2007 at 12:04 pm
I know God created horses to be outside in all weather, but I sure do feel guilty sitting in my nice toasty house at night in the winter & my 4-legged pal is standing outside in -20 degrees not including the windchill factor!! Brrr!! Good thing he has L O N G legs or he'd be lost in the big drifts we get up here in the "frozen tundra!!"
**I wish the article would have covered which types of waterproof/breatheable sheets would be most appropriate for winter temperatures & conditions. Some of us would like to see some specific suggestions as to what are good things to look for & what to avoid when considering purchasing winter-wear for our horse(s).**
Sharon says:
October 10, 2007 at 12:39 pm
I feel much better about not blanketing my horse now that I read this!
Carol says:
October 17, 2007 at 3:30 pm
Why do horses roll in and get muddy if it dries and decreases the abillity of their coat to fluff and stay warm?
Wendy says:
October 19, 2007 at 6:01 am
That helps a lot since I'm new with taking care of horse.
Horselover says:
October 23, 2007 at 12:44 pm
You know I agree with Nancy 100%.Look at all these rich horse people who think they have to get every sheet and blanket in the world,when after all,they really don't need them.I totally agree.
Horselover
Fonda says:
December 31, 2007 at 2:30 pm
I live in Ct and it can get cold here but I don't blanket my Appaloosa and he grows a nice coat. So far he has weathered two winters without with no problems.
Ana says:
December 31, 2007 at 9:38 pm
How can I promote sufficient hair growth on a horse that does not grow very much fur in the winter? I have been told by someone to keep the horse outside without a blanket on in cold weather to force hair growth, yet how do I do that without freezing the horse to death?
Olivia says:
January 1, 2008 at 3:36 pm
What about a clipped horse would thay need a blanket? would they need a blanket if you live in some place that has a winter where the lowest temperature is 25 degrees farenheit? What about a skinny horse in this climate?
KIM says:
January 21, 2008 at 9:32 am
this was very usfully thanks my horses have nover been blanketed .but I DIDNT KNOW YOU WERE TO BRUSH THEM DAYLEE WHEN IT WAS COLD I THOUGHT BRUSHING WOULD MAKE THEN COLD THANKS FOR THAT INFO .