A common question we receive at Iron Spring Farm is how we find blankets that properly fit our Friesian horses. Many blankets suitable for other breeds might not fit your Friesian’s body type. Quinnten Alston, sales manager at Iron Spring Farm, shares tips for finding the right blanket and suggests the blanket brands we’ve found fit our Friesians.
Begin by measuring your horse. You will need a paper or cloth measuring tape and the help of a friend. Find the center of your horse’s chest and hold the end of the measuring tape in that position. Run the tape back to the point of the horse’s buttocks. Keep the tape taut and level and include the widest part of your horse’s shoulder. This measurement in inches will give you a good idea of where to start regarding the size of blanket you’ll need. Every blanket is unique, so two 78” blankets might fit differently.
Due to the breed’s neck-set and shape, simply selecting a blanket based on this measurement alone could cause rubbing or discomfort. A Friesian’s neck can be much deeper, wider, and more upright than other breeds, so it is important to account for these factors and adjust the blanket size accordingly.
Fortunately, there are many different blanket options to meet your individual horse’s needs, including blankets for higher necks or withers. Here at Iron Spring Farm, we have had good luck with the Rambo Supreme and the Amigo Bravo 12 blankets for our Friesian horses, both made by Horseware Ireland. We also like the stable blankets and turnout sheets from SmartPak to keep our Friesians dressed for comfort.
To properly assess blanket fit, there are a few key points to check. The top of the front closure of the blanket should be level with the point of your horse’s shoulder, while the neckline should lie above and provide enough room for movement of the shoulder.
You also want to be able to slide your hand between the top of your horse’s withers and the blanket to ensure it will not rub in this area. The length of the blanket should neither be too short nor too long. Finally, the blanket should completely cover your horse’s barrel, ending just below the elbow and stifle.
Watch your horse walk around and graze in the blanket to note any areas where the fit is too tight or could cause rubbing. If you’re using a hooded blanket, observe how the hood moves against your horse’s neck in movement and while grazing. You will want a hood that protects their long, trademark mane without damaging the hair.
With just a bit of attention, you can find the right blanket for your horse. Be sure to reach out to your local brand representatives if you have more questions about your Friesian’s new blanket. Check out our Friesian blanket fitting video here to see these tips in action.
Watch the whole ISF series of Friesian grooming videos here.
