How to Measure for
a Horse Blanket

With a plethora of blankets, sheets, coolers, and more on the equestrian market, it is important to know how to get your horse's size for these garments. After you have explored our guide on how to choose a horse blanket or sheet for your equine, you'll need to measure your steed to ensure their new blanket will fit! The perfect fit is pivotal for the comfort and safety of your horse in their winter gear. A blanket that's too small may cause painful sores and could restrict freedom of movement. A blanket that's too big can be hazardous and may get tangled up when the horse lies down or rolls.

We understand how much of an investment a blanket can be, so we sympathize with the pressure you might feel over ordering the best horse blanket in the right size (especially if the weather is particularly bad)! To help lessen the stress, our knowledgeable team of equestrian experts has put together this insightful guide on how to properly measure your horse for a blanket. We will also be offering a few tips on double-checking whether the blanket is an ideal fit after it's on, so you can ensure your current or new blanket is providing your equine optimal comfort.

1. Grab a friend and a soft fabric tape measure. If you don't have a soft fabric tape measure, see our "Pro Tips" below for other options.
2. One person will place the fabric tape measure at the center of your horse's chest just below where their neck ties into their body and hold the end of the tape there.
3. The second person should unroll the tape measure around the widest part of your horse's shoulder and angle it up to the farthest point of the horse's buttock.
4. This person will wrap the tape around the point of your horse's buttock, and then end the measurement in the middle of the tail.
5. You will use this measurement to find your horse's blanket size. If your horse is between sizes, it is usually a safe bet to round up. Always consult the manufacturer's sizing chart, as one horse blanket brand can size a bit differently from another!

Pro Tips

• When trying a new blanket for size, place an old bed sheet over your horse before putting the blanket on. This will help keep any hair, dirt, and debris off the blanket for an easy return process!
• If you don't have a soft fabric measure, you can use string or twine to find the length of blanket needed on the horse, then use a regular tape measure against the string to measure the length of the blanket.
• Check for a size chart that corresponds to the specific blanket you are looking to buy. Some manufacturers may tell you to add or subtract inches from your horse's measurement or offer a back seam length measurement as well.

For our visual learners, watch the video below to learn how to measure your horse for a blanket, ensuring you purchase the right size for your horse every time.

How Should a Horse Blanket Fit?

A well-fitting blanket should cover your horse's body and still allow them complete freedom of movement. Evaluate these three points on the blanket to decide if it is a good fit for your equine partner:

1. Shoulders - The front buckle closures should land across the chest and not stretch over near the points of the shoulders. The neckline should rest above the shoulder. A neckline that sags down to expose the shoulders is too large. You should be able to run a hand along the chest and shoulders and not feel tension or see visible pulling.

2. Withers - Ensure that you can place a hand between the withers and blanket. A blanket that is too tight will rub the withers and be uncomfortable for the horse. A blanket that's too big can create tension across the top of the horse's back and cause discomfort.

3. Length - A blanket should cover the horse's barrel and flank and should end just below the elbow and stifle. A blanket that's too small won't offer enough coverage, while a blanket that's too big is hazardous and may cause the horse to get hung up. The back length should ensure the horse's hindquarters are fully covered but should not hang past the tail.

Adjusting Horse Blanket Straps

You will find a variety of adjustment points on your horse's blanket, and it is important to fit these straps properly to ensure your horse's safety while they're wearing their blanket. We encourage maintaining the good practice of consistently double-checking your horse's blanket straps for wear-and-tear to see if they need replacing. If a part needs to be swapped out, we offer replacement straps and buckles for horse blankets for your shopping convenience!

Chest Buckles/Surcingles

Chest buckles or surcingles allow the blanket to be adjusted tighter or looser for an ideal fit. Some blankets have traditional buckles, while others use "quick clips" for quick and easy access. Some quick clip styles do not offer adjustable tabs.

When adjusting chest straps, you can check to ensure the blanket is tightened just right by sliding a hand down the neck. From here, you can loosen or tighten accordingly.

Pro Tip: For a blanket with buckles, make a mental note of which hole attains your horse's perfect fit for future dressing. Some equestrians will make a mark or tie a piece of yarn over the correct hole for easy application; this can be especially helpful for any barn staff that may blanket your horse. For a quick clip blanket, you can adjust it once and it will be set for future wear!

Belly Surcingles

Belly surcingles prevent the blanket from rotating around the horse's barrel. Blankets typically come with one, two, or three belly surcingles. For a more secure fit to keep the escape artist horses in, try a blanket with more belly surcingles!

Belly surcingles commonly cross into an "X" shape to ensure the horse's legs cannot get caught, and the correct fit is critical to help prevent this from happening. You should be able to fit a closed fist in between the horse's belly and straps.

Leg Straps

Adjusting and attaching your horse's leg straps properly is a crucial part of ensuring that the blanket does not rotate. Each leg strap should be hooked around each of the horse's hind legs, as well as linked through each other. By linking the straps around the leg, through one another, and then connecting back to the blanket, you can eliminate the chances of your horse's leg getting caught up in the opposite leg strap.

To properly adjust your leg straps, make each strap the same length. The length should be approximately a hand's width from the strap to the thigh. This will allow the straps to keep the blanket in place while giving your horse freedom to move.

Tail Strap

Tail straps hang straight across the back of the blanket and tuck under the tail. They should keep the end of the blanket loosely against the sides of the horse's hindquarters without tugging. There is less risk of a leg getting caught in a tail strap, however, they do tend to collect more dirt and manure.

Pro Tip: A tail strap that's PVC-covered is more durable and much easier to clean in the long run!

Neck Hood/Cover

A neck hood or cover adds extra protection to the neck area. They can be removable on some blankets, while others have the neck cover permanently attached (commonly referred to as "combo-neck" blankets). If the blanket has a removable hood design, there are typically D-rings or velcro strap slots to allow the neck cover to come on or off. A detachable neck cover can be useful for horses who live in climates that tend to change often.

Q: How do I know if my horse needs a blanket?

A: If and when to blanket your horse depends on factors such as whether it is body-clipped, has access to shelter, body condition and age, and more. For more information, head to our guide on When to Blanket a Horse for Winter to learn more about the ins and outs of whether your horse needs a blanket.

Q: Which blanket is best for my horse?

A: Horse blankets come in a huge range of weights, fills, sizes, and have a wide variety of features to suit all kinds of equines and environments. If you feel overwhelmed by all of our blanket options, our guide on the Best Winter Horse Blankets will help you narrow down the choices!

Q: How do I put a blanket on my horse?

A: Since some horses can find blanketing to be a frightening experience, it is important to follow a certain order of steps when putting on and taking off your horse's blanket. Head to our guide on How to Put on a Horse Blanket Safely for best practices.

Q: What if I incorrectly measure and my horse's blanket doesn't fit?

A: With our generous 365-day return policy for eligible orders, you don't have to fret about horse blanket returns or exchanges. Many horse owners find that a particular blanket brand fits their horse's body type better than another, so be aware that it can take some trial-and-error to find the best fitting blanket. Your horse may also be one size in a certain brand, and then a different size in another blanket brand. We highly recommend preparing for blanket season well in advance, so you're not scrambling at the last minute at the expense of your equine!

Finding your horse's blanket size is a necessary step to follow before ordering a blanket online. We hope our insight on determining blanket size and how to check the fit has been helpful in equipping you with the knowledge needed to do so. We'd like to encourage you to reach out to our friendly customer service staff if you encounter any questions along the way while sizing your horse for their winter blanket. Blanket season can be a stressful time for horse owners, and Riding Warehouse is here to make your blanket search simple, easy, and successful. You may contact us via email at info@ridingwarehouse.com or via phone at 1(800)620-9145 for assistance. Happy blanketing!