How to Measure Your Horse for a Blanket Vet Guide 2025 – Dr Duncan Houston 🐴🧣

By Dr Duncan Houston, BVSc – a comprehensive veterinary guide on correctly measuring your horse for a blanket to ensure comfort, warmth, and mobility.

Introduction

Choosing the right blanket size is essential for your horse’s comfort and health. Poorly fitted blankets can cause rubbing, restrict movement, lead to pressure sores, or leave your horse cold. In this 2025 guide, we walk through how to accurately measure your horse, interpret measurements, select the right style and fit, address common fit problems, and properly care for the blanket. 🧵✨

🧠 Why Proper Fit Matters

• Prevent rubs or pressure points that can cause sores and skin irritation.
• Allow full shoulder movement—necessary for normal stride and comfort.
• Ensure full body coverage while avoiding bunching or slipping.
• Maintain warmth and dryness without overheating or leaving cold spots.

📏 Key Measurements You Need

Blanket size is usually given in inches, measured along the side of your horse. Here are vital measurements:

• Point of Shoulder to Point of Shoulder (across chest): Not used for size—but helps understand chest width and choose an optimal style.
• Center of Chest to Tailhead: Primary blanket measurement. Aligns with blanket size charts.
• Length Girth / Circumference: Helps choose blanket shape around the girth area.
• Neck to Shoulder Length: Useful for turnout blanket with full neck coverage.
• Wither Height: Determines front fit—avoids blanket sliding forward or pinching at the withers.

📝 Step-by-Step Measuring Guide

1. Prepare your horse: Stand squarely and relaxed on a level surface.
2. Chest to tailhead: Using a soft cloth tape, start at the center of the chest, follow along the side, over the point of hip to the tailhead. Record to nearest inch.
3. Check with a chart: Consult the blanket brand's chart. Most Morgan/Thoroughbred-sized horses fall between 72–84 inches.
4. Girth circumference: Run tape around the mid-chest just behind the front legs.
5. Neck to shoulder length: Measure from base of neck at withers to top of shoulder joint.
6. Wither height: From ground to highest point of withers—helps ensure shoulder fit and prevents slipping.
7. Cross-check: Compare multiple measurements—don’t rely only on size chart if your horse has unusual build.
8. Test fit: Place blanket on the horse—center of chest to tail should match measurement; watch front and shoulder fit.

📊 Blanket Sizing Charts

Here's a generic size chart—always cross-reference with your supplier:

🧩 Understanding Blanket Styles

• Stable blankTes: Full coverage with strong necessity for ideal fit in shoulders; no leg straps.
• Turnout blankets: Designed for outdoor use—waterproof with hoods or neck covers.
• Neck rugs: Provide extra warmth; require coordination with main blanket measurements.
• Sheet/Medium-weight blankets: Lightweight, used under turnout blankets or in mild weather.

✅ Common Fit Issues & Solutions

• Blanket rides forward: Too small—try next size up or fuller cut.
• Shoulder rubs: Gap or wrong cut—use shoulder gussets or change style.
• Wither pinching: Too narrow—choose wider or cut again drop style.
• Hindquarter gaping: Horse needs longer blanket or modified tail flap.
• Bunching under girth: Belly strap too loose; consider criss-cross style.

💡 Tips When Shopping

• Always measure your horse rather than rely on breed-average.
• Take measurements when the horse is standing relaxed—exercise inflates barrel shape.
• Keep the blanket centered—don’t drape it off one shoulder.
• Take photos or video—helps remote-fitting advice or returns.
• Allow a 5–10 cm clearance at shoulders—enough for movement but not floppy.

🦺 Fitting Checklist Before First Use

1. Center chest panel at mid-face of chest.
2. Check shoulder room—slide a hand between blanket and shoulder; chest flap should not sit forward of elbow.
3. Check length—there should be 10–15 cm freedom past the tailhead.
4. Fasten belly bands/criss-cross: secure but loose enough for two-finger fit.
5. Attach leg straps—but don’t tension tight; they prevent slipping but need room.
6. Observe while horse walks—blanket should remain in place and not shift forward or pinch.

🧼 Blanket Care & Maintenance

• Brush off dander and mud after each use.
• Wash with mild cleaners—no fabric softener; rinse thoroughly.
• Reproof water-resistant fabrics once per season.
• Check and repair straps, buckles, and linings edge to edge.
• Air dry completely before storage—mildew prevention.

📅 When to Re-Measure or Replace

• During growth or pregnancy—larger girth and barrel circumference can change size.
• Seasonal weight shifts—lose or gain weight, adjust accordingly.
• If using layering blankets—inner liner and outer must still fit together comfortably.
• After any shoulder/injury where shape might change.

🚨 Emergency Fit Fixes

• Leg "martingale" clip—clips two leg straps together when blanket slides sideways.
• Shoulder padding or fleece at straps to prevent rub.
• Temporary breastplate for security in stormy weather or windy paddocks.
• Remove hoods or belly bands that twist or trip horse on rough terrain.

📚 Real-World Examples

Example 1: A Thoroughbred mare measured 78″ chest to tail. Chose a turnout blanket 81″ with extra thigh coverage due to her deep barrel—added adjustable leg arches to prevent drag.

Example 2: A connemara pony rider uses a 66″ stable blanket; fits chest room, but shoulder rub persisted. Switched to a blanket with gusseted shoulders—resolved the issue, giving more freedom.

Example 3: A pregnant mare measured 75″ before foaling, but at 7 months reached 78″. Rider moved up one size to accommodate girth and barrel growth.

📊 Summary at a Glance

Conclusion & Ask A Vet Support 📲

Accurate blanket fit is essential to your horse’s wellbeing—ensuring warmth, comfort, and freedom to move. With proper measuring, fit checks, and maintenance, your horse will stay healthy through all seasons.

Need custom fit advice, blanket recommendations, or reminders to re-check seasonally? Ask A Vet provides tailored fitting advice, scheduling tools, and expert support via our app. Download the Ask A Vet App today and wrap your horse in comfort and care. 🐎🧣