The Best Winter
Horse Blankets of 2023

Horse blankets come in a huge range of weights and sizes, with a wide variety of features designed to suit the needs of equines and owners alike. Do you know if your horse needs a blanket in the first place? And at what temperature? Find out in our article on when to blanket a horse. Horse blankets block out dirt, wind, rain, and cold temperatures in all different kinds of environments. If you are unsure how to choose a blanket for your specific equine needs, please take a look at our Horse Blanketing Guide first.

Your fellow horse owners here at Riding Warehouse have a blanket option for you—whether you are searching for a light stable blanket, heavy waterproof turnout sheet, or something indestructible that your blanket-wrecker can't wreck. The crew's carefully curated buying guide of our favorite horse blankets has something for every rider on any budget. We looked at a combination of materials, waterproofing, durability, and price to determine the hand-picked choices in this collection!

To start things off, let's quickly address each type of blanket and their general uses.

Light weight blankets are the ideal choice for preventing your horse from becoming chilled in milder climates. Medium weight blankets are great for overall protection against wind and rain in colder environments. Meanwhile, heavy weight blankets are designed to provide warmth in very cold conditions with temps that dip below freezing.

When a horse is moving around or exercising, they produce body heat to regulate (enter turnout blankets to help your horse stay a comfortable temperature). When a horse is standing still in a stall, they are more susceptible to cold weather (hello stable blankets). For our review, we split up our best winter blankets by type, weight, and other special considerations.

Best Turnout Blankets

Best Liner & Stable Blankets

Best Blankets for Special Circumstances

Not only do we love the economical price of the Equi-Essentials Waterproof Turnout Sheet/Blanket, but the 600 denier ripstop outer with a 70-denier nylon lining offers static-free comfort for your equine. We also appreciate the traditional blanket features of double buckle front closures, dual belly surcingles, a standard tail flap, and adjustable elastic leg straps. This light weight turnout sheet is the one we turn to for mild weather and rain showers! It's straightforward to adjust and provides our horses with good freedom of movement, thanks to the design and large shoulder gussets.

We are big fans of the LeMieux brand in general, and the LeMieux Arika Storm-Tec Rug Turnout Blanket does not disappoint! We are always on the hunt for a blanket that lasts, and the 1200 denier Oxford weave outer is both durable and waterproof. Every feature is innovative and designed with the horse in mind, offering the ultimate level of comfort during cold months. We love the attention to detail in this medium weight option, from reflective panels to better see your horse in the dark, to an independent lower skirt to relieve tension.

We chose the Professional's Choice 1200D Winter Blanket Bison for its features and its adorable bison print! Ideal for harsh winters that are cold and wet, this heavy weight blanket provides cozy warmth with its waterproof 1200 denier rip-stop outer and 300-gram Hollofil insulation. We find the waterproofing of Professional's Choice to last well, and the design accommodates most horse shapes. We are particularly appreciative of the quick snaps on both the front closure and belly surcingles, which are great for stiff fingers that are too chilled to work properly!

When we're in need of a bit more warmth while our horses are stalled in the barn, we love throwing the Horze Glasgow Light Weight Stable Blanket on! A versatile option that gets you great bang for your buck, this stable blanket can be used all on its own or as a liner under your existing blanket. Designed to keep equines cozy in breathable warmth, this blanket also has an anti-slip finish that ensures everything stays in place.

Excellent for additional weight and warmth without the extra bulk, the 5A Baker Light Weight Stable Day Sheet is our go-to for shows or stalling at home. When the nights start to get cooler, we can count on the tough, woven fabric to keep our horses warm. The simple design features double-buckle front closures and adjustable belly surcingles, allowing ease of use. We appreciate how this light weight sheet prevents heat from escaping, especially on a clipped show horse!

The Saxon Stable Standard Neck 1200D Medium Blanket is our go-to for winter horse shows. The navy plaid print looks super classy when you're hand walking on the grounds, and the 200-gram insulation keeps your horse cozy in their stall. Features like the fleece withers, shoulder gussets, and low-cross belly surcingles help prevent rubs on your competition horse in order to keep them looking their best for the ring. If you're searching for a great stable blanket at a great price, this medium weight option is ideal!

The Horseware Rhino Plus Hexstop VL Turnout Blanket is our top choice for cold winter environments that receive lots of rain. The 1000-denier Ripstop outer is strategically designed in a hexagon weave that provides the ultimate strength, durability, and waterproof protection. We believe this medium weight turnout to be worth the price; you will get what you're paying for if you're looking for a truly waterproof blanket! The layer directly underneath the outer is also waterproof and breathable, so no water will soak through this blanket to your horse's coat.

When you have a blanket-wrecker horse (like some of us do), product durability is always a high priority. The Horseware Rambo Wug Turnout Lite Blanket is constructed from a 1000-denier ballistic nylon outer that is extremely tough yet slippery, so even playmates will have a hard time getting their teeth on it. Horseware's unique Surefit neck is designed to hug your horse's shape and prevent rubs, and we find this turnout blanket to be especially suited for narrow, high-withered equines. The features of this light weight, waterproof option are well worth the higher price if you want a blanket that'll last season after season!

What's cuter than seeing your pony wrapped up all cozy in the Saxon 600D Pony Waterproof Blanket Pig Print? Nothing! Don't allow your little equine to become a pig sty in the winter, and protect them with this super-adorable medium weight blanket by Saxon. Waterproof, breathable, and adjustable, you can protect your little equine in this blanket that's strategically designed for ponies and smaller-framed horses. Offering a warm 180-gram polyfill insulation that's ideal for most climates, we think this blanket is simply too cute to handle!

Being a more affordable option, we're impressed with the TuffRider 1200D Comfy Turnout Blanket Standard Neck for its overall quality. We find its roomy fit and wider size range to be perfect for larger horses, whether tall or stout. The color options are pleasing to look at, and we've found this turnout blanket to hold up just as well as many other brands. Our horses stay both dry and warm in this economical medium weight blanket that's constructed of a waterproof 1200-denier outer with a 200-gram fill, providing great protection for those bigger equines during the winter months.

We fell in love with the Weatherbeeta ComFiTec Essential Western Blanket Medium as soon as we saw it! The Santa Fe print is reminiscent of Santa Fe, New Mexico itself, with cacti, bullheads, cowboy boots, cowboy hats, and flowers. The sand-colored base against a navy trim adds a stark contrast that is sure to make your horse look like the most stylish thing around. We definitely vouch for the blankets Weatherbeeta produces, with their quality materials and design features, and the pattern on this medium weight turnout takes the cake in our books!

The Equinavia Norse Mid Weight Turnout Blanket is a great blanket at an affordable price for the budget-conscientious owner. A waterproof option that will still protect your equine, this medium weight blanket offers a warm 200-gram fill and all the typical blanket features you know and love, like a gusseted shoulder for great freedom of movement during turnout. The neutral color looks great on any coat, so you can easily buy more than one of these Equinavia blankets (without breaking the bank) if you have several horses you need to protect this winter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How much should I spend on a horse blanket?

A: Your price point will depend on what you are specifically looking for when it comes to blanket features, level of warmth, durability, and materials. Higher denier and fill blankets, or blankets with improved technologies, tend to come with a higher price due to the materials used. In our experience, well-known blanket brands are worth the investment if you want your blanket to last you season after season. In the end, your horse's comfort is of utmost importance. If you try one of our blankets and are unsatisfied for any reason, please pass along your feedback to customer service!

Q: When should I replace my current horse blanket?

A: A quality horse blanket can survive many years and seasons with proper maintenance. It is best to follow the manufacturer's care instructions to help prolong the life of your blanket. Should your blanket become damaged beyond repair due to wear and tear, the blanket should be replaced. Over time, your blanket might lose its waterproofing properties and need to be refreshed with a waterproofing product. See further information on how to properly care for your blanket in our educational guide here!

Q: What if the horse blanket I purchase does not fit?

A: It can sometimes be difficult to know what blanket size will be best when ordering online (especially if your horse is in between sizes), as fit varies from brand to brand. You are welcome to try your blanket purchase on your horse to check its overall fit; we suggest brushing your equine and putting a thin bed sheet over them first to keep the blanket clean in case you need to exchange it for an alternative. Our team is happy to help you in case you have any blanket fit questions!

Choosing a horse blanket for the winter or show season can be overwhelming, especially if you are unsure what you are looking for. We hope this buying guide has helped narrow down the options, so you feel more confident in your blanket purchase. Should you have any lingering questions or concerns, please reach out to us at info@ridingwarehouse.com or 1-800-620-9145. Our goal is to help both you and your equine stay warm and dry this winter!