If you live in an area where the temperatures sometimes can be mild in the winter, be careful not to outfit your horse with the Alaska Extreme on the warmer days, he ll sweat underneath his blanket, get wet, then get even more chilled. A lighter-weight blanket that mainly protects against wind and rain will be a better choice. Look for double-reinforced box stitching at all of the stress points, and heavy duty hardware that won t give up the ghost at the first sign of plunging mercury. If you want your horse to be able to move in an unrestricted way and not develop rub-marks on his shoulders or withers, the blanket must fit correctly. Here s where you might have to try on several to find the right brand and cut.
Some blankets are more contoured than others.
To be sure, ask to take the blanket home to try on your horse before you commit. Closed-front blankets also can be something of a struggle to put on, but they do tend to stay in position well. The heavier the denier of the outer material, the more durable and waterproof it will be. Many people prefer to outfit their horses with a weatherproof blanket for outdoor use, and keep another, more lightweight rug for when the horse is stabled. The indoor rug doesn t need to be waterproof, of course, but it should be a good fit so that it stays in place when your horse lies down to sleep and gets up again.