Horse blankets: drying, waterproof, or stable blankets, how to choose?
At Sellerie Bucéphale, the question of choosing a blanket comes up with every season change. This is normal: between the waterproof that faces autumn in the pasture, the stable blanket that replaces the winter coat when the horse is clipped, and the drying blanket that prevents a soaked horse from catching cold, each model has a specific role. Choosing the wrong category risks a horse that is cold, sweating under its blanket, or soaked to the skin. In this guide, we provide simple guidelines to choose correctly, then present our available models grouped by use.
An outdoor waterproof blanket or a filled stable blanket does not let moisture escape. Placed on a horse soaked from rain, shower, or sweat, it traps water against the skin: the horse cools down, catches a chill, and may develop skin problems.
The right approach: first put on a drying / fleece blanket and wait for complete drying. You only close a warm or waterproof blanket on a perfectly dry horse.
What type of blanket for which need?
Before discussing warmth or size, the first decision is the main use. The same horse may actually need several blankets throughout the day.
- The outdoor waterproof turnout blanket. This is the blanket for horses that live outside or go out to pasture. Its purpose: to block the wind and prevent rain from passing through. You look for a waterproof membrane (measured by its water column, in mm), sealed / thermosealed seams, and a durable material. It comes in a thin version (without filling) for mid-season, or filled for winter.
- The stable blanket. Designed for indoor use, it does not need to be waterproof: it prioritizes comfort and warmth. Choose it based on weight, depending on the stable temperature and the horse’s sensitivity (clipping, age, weight).
- The cooler / fleece blanket. Essential after work, a shower, or in damp weather, its role is to wick away moisture so the horse dries without getting cold. The fleece also serves as a mid-layer under another blanket or as a transport and show blanket.
- The quarter sheet. It protects the back and loins during ridden work or lunging, in cold or rainy weather. It is available in fleece (warming, drying) or waterproof versions (work in the rain).
Is it really necessary to blanket your horse?
Not all horses need a blanket. A hardy, unclipped horse in good condition living outside with shelter self-regulates very well: its winter coat bristles to trap warm air, and the natural oils in its coat repel some of the rain. Constantly blanketing it can even interfere with this natural thermoregulation and cause sweating.
Blanketing is mainly done in these situations:
- Clipped horse: clipping removes the natural protection of the coat. A clipped horse must be blanketed, with a model suited to the weather.
- Older, underweight, or convalescent horse: it regulates its temperature less effectively.
- Regularly worked sport horse (short coat, sweating), or living outdoors exposed to prolonged rain + wind.
The real risk is not so much dry cold as the combination of rain + wind, and especially over-blanketing: a horse that sweats under a blanket that is too warm cools down poorly when drying. It is better to adjust than to cover "to the maximum."
Understanding the weight
The weight is expressed in g/m² (grams of filling per square meter, for example 0, 100, 200, or 300 g/m²): it represents the amount of insulating filling, not the weight of the blanket. Generally, the higher the number, the warmer the blanket.
A 300 g/m² stable blanket (filling only, indoors) does not provide the same warmth as a 300 g/m² turnout blanket (which also includes a windproof and waterproof membrane that limits heat loss). Compare the weight only between two models of the same family, never between a stable blanket and an outdoor blanket.
| Indicative weight | Outside temperature (reference) | General use |
|---|---|---|
| 0 g/m² (no filling) | > 10–15 °C | Mid-season, rain/wind protection without added warmth |
| ~100 to 150 g/m² | ≈ 5–10 °C | Cool temperatures, horse little or not clipped |
| ~200 to 300 g/m² and more | < 5 °C | Marked cold, clipped or sensitive horse |
These temperature ranges are purely indicative: the right fill weight always depends on the horse (clipping, age, condition), its living environment, wind, and humidity. When in doubt, better to have several adjustable layers than a single very thick blanket.
A simple principle: a horse that is too hot sweats under its blanket and can catch a cold if it dries poorly. So regularly check the temperature under the blanket, at the withers and shoulder height.
Waterproofness and durability: do not confuse
Two numbers appear on outdoor blankets, and they measure different things:
- Denier (e.g., 1680D) measures the resistance of the outer fabric to tearing and abrasion (bites, brambles, rolling). The higher the denier, the tougher the fabric. Denier does not indicate waterproofness.
- Waterproofness is measured by the water column (in mm) of the membrane and also depends on the thermosealed seams. It is this membrane + seams combination that keeps the horse dry, not the denier.
A blanket can be very durable (high denier) without being the most waterproof, and vice versa. For a horse living outside in the rain, both aspects are important.
Choosing the right size
A properly sized blanket protects well, does not slip, and does not restrict movement. Too small, it injures the chest and shoulders; too large, it shifts and rubs the withers.
The method: measure the horse from the middle of the chest to the point of the buttock, following the shoulder and flank (along the curves of the body), and not in a straight line. A measurement taken with a rigid ruler underestimates the actual size.
French sizes (cm) and Horseware sizes (feet/inches)
French and continental brands (BR, Eskadron…) size in centimeters. However, Horseware blankets (Amigo and Rambo ranges) size in feet and inches (6'0, 6'3, 6'6…), not in cm. Here are the approximate correspondences:
| Horseware size (feet/inches) | Approximate equivalent (cm) |
|---|---|
| 5'3" | ≈ 125 cm |
| 5'6" | ≈ 135 cm |
| 5'9" | ≈ 145 cm |
| 6'0" | ≈ 155 cm |
| 6'3" | ≈ 165 cm |
| 6'6" | ≈ 175 cm |
| 6'9" | ≈ 185 cm |
| 7'0" | ≈ 195 cm |
Indicative correspondences: each brand has its own sizing charts, always check the manufacturer's guide before ordering.
To help you, consult our dedicated guides:
Fitting adjustments and maintenance
Properly adjust the blanket
- Chest straps: fastenings should be adjusted without choking. You should be able to fit a flat hand between the chest and the blanket.
- Belly straps: tight enough so the blanket doesn’t slip, without compressing.
- Thigh straps: cross them between the hind legs and adjust to allow the width of a hand to pass through. Crossed, they prevent the blanket from twisting and the horse from catching a leg.
- Regularly check the condition of the surcingle and thigh straps (wear, breakage).
Maintenance and re-waterproofing
- Gentle wash at low temperature, with a special technical detergent and no fabric softener (softener clogs the membrane pores and destroys waterproofing).
- Once clean and dry, re-waterproof with a suitable product to restore the water-repellent effect.
- Take advantage of cleaning to check the seams, fastenings, surcingle, and thigh straps.
Our blankets
Outdoor waterproof blankets
Stable / stall blankets
Size reminder: Amigo (Horseware) blankets are ordered in feet/inches (see the conversion table above).
Drying sheets & fleeces
Quarter sheets
Selection up to date at the time of writing. Availability, sizes, and colors may change: click on each model for real-time stock status.
Want to browse the entire section? Discover our brand universes and the full selection:
Unsure about the type, weight, or size?
We take the time to discuss it with you, horse by horse.
FAQ
Can you cover a wet or sweaty horse?
No, never with a non-breathable rug (waterproof turnout or padded stable rug): it traps moisture against the skin, the horse cools down and can catch a cold. First put on a drying layer/fleece and wait for complete drying. Only put on a warm or waterproof rug on a perfectly dry horse.
What is the difference between a stable rug and a waterproof turnout rug?
The stable rug is made for indoors: it provides warmth but is not waterproof. The turnout rug is designed to resist rain and wind in the field, thanks to a membrane and heat-sealed seams. Using a stable rug outside in the rain would soak it and chill the horse.
How to choose the right weight?
The weight is expressed in g/m² (0, 150, 300 g/m²…) and corresponds to the insulating filling: the higher it is, the warmer the rug. Choose it according to weather, clipping, and the horse’s sensitivity. Note: weight is not comparable between categories (a 300 g/m² stable rug does not warm like a 300 g/m² turnout rug). When in doubt, several modular layers are better than one very thick rug.
Is 1680D waterproof?
No. The denier (e.g., 1680D) measures the fabric’s resistance to tearing and abrasion, not waterproofing. Waterproofing depends on the membrane’s water column (in mm) and the heat-sealed seams. A high denier indicates a robust fabric, not necessarily the most waterproof.
Is it necessary to rug my horse?
No. A hardy horse, unclipped and in good condition, self-regulates and does not always need a rug. Rugs are mainly used for clipped horses (which have lost their natural protection), older or thin horses, and in prolonged rain and wind. Beware of over-rugging, which causes sweating and chills the horse.
How do I measure my horse for size?
Measure from the middle of the chest to the point of the buttock, following the shoulder and flank (following the curves, not in a straight line). French and continental brands size in cm; Horseware rugs (Amigo, Rambo) size in feet/inches (6'0, 6'3…). Check our BR or Eskadron size guide before ordering.
How to care for a waterproof rug?
Gentle wash at low temperature, with technical detergent and no fabric softener (it clogs the membrane and destroys waterproofing). Once dry, re-waterproof with a suitable product and check seams, fastenings, surcingle, and thigh straps.
Does the quarter sheet replace a rug?
No. The quarter sheet protects the back and loins during ridden work or lunging. It is a supplement, not a substitute for a stable or turnout rug.
