Do not make the straps too loose because the horse might get its hind legs caught in them. It is recommended to intertwine the straps and snap them into their respective sides, or just criss-cross them. A safety feature for surcingles, to avoid their unbuckling, is to have a rubber stopper on them. Shoulder and wither lining is useful to decrease hair loss or hair breakage from the constant rubbing. Properly cleaning blankets is recommended for longevity of the product, but remember that most are line dried, so either purchase a quick-drying blanket or have a back up.
Blankets can take up to three days to dry in the colder months.
For muddy turnout sheets or blankets, a quick hosing of the mud, then hanging it to dry is suggested. Waterproof blankets usually are waterproofed on the inside only, thus allowing the outside to be cleaned. When cleaning or rinsing your blanket, check all the fasteners and attachments to make sure they are secured tightly to the blanket. Be aware that shrinkage can occur after your blanket has been cleaned. Unless you are showing your horse, blanketing your horse is a personal decision.