Horse blankets with a neck, also known as neck covers or hoods, provide an extra layer of warmth and protection for your equine companion during colder months. These specialized blankets extend over the horse’s neck and shoulders, effectively shielding them from chilly winds, drafts, and low temperatures.
Choosing the right horse blanket with a neck is crucial for your horse’s comfort and well-being. This comprehensive guide will delve into the various aspects of Horse Blankets With Neck covers, equipping you with the knowledge to make an informed decision.
Why Choose a Horse Blanket with a Neck?
Horse wearing a neck blanket
While traditional horse blankets offer adequate protection for the body, a horse blanket with a neck provides additional benefits, including:
- Enhanced Warmth: The neck and shoulder area is particularly susceptible to heat loss. Neck covers effectively trap warmth, ensuring your horse stays comfortable even in frigid temperatures.
- Protection from the Elements: Neck covers act as a shield against cold winds, rain, and snow, preventing your horse’s neck and shoulders from getting wet or chilled.
- Reduced Risk of Illness: By keeping your horse warm and dry, neck covers minimize the risk of chills and respiratory illnesses, especially in horses with compromised immune systems or those that are clipped.
Types of Horse Blankets with Neck
Different neck covers for horse blankets
A diverse range of horse blankets with neck covers caters to different needs and preferences:
- Detachable Neck Covers: These versatile options allow you to remove the neck cover when not needed, providing flexibility based on weather conditions. They typically attach to the blanket using zippers, buckles, or Velcro straps.
- Integrated Neck Covers: Seamlessly incorporated into the blanket design, integrated neck covers offer a streamlined fit and eliminate the hassle of separate attachments.
- Full Neck Covers: Extending from the ears to the withers, full neck covers provide maximum coverage and protection, ideal for harsh winter climates or horses requiring extra warmth.
Materials and Fill
Understanding the materials used in horse blankets with neck is essential for selecting the right level of warmth and breathability:
- Outer Shell: The outer shell, typically made from waterproof and breathable fabrics like nylon or polyester ripstop, protects your horse from rain and wind.
- Lining: Linings add an extra layer of comfort and insulation. Common lining materials include fleece, polyester, or nylon.
- Fill: The fill determines the blanket’s warmth rating. Popular fill options include:
- Polyfill: A synthetic insulation that offers excellent warmth-to-weight ratio and is easy to care for.
- Fiberfill: Another synthetic option that provides good insulation and retains its shape well.
- Down: Natural down filling offers superior warmth but requires more delicate care.
How to Choose the Right Size and Fit
Measuring a horse for a blanket with neck cover
A properly fitted horse blanket with a neck is crucial for your horse’s comfort and safety:
- Measure your horse: Measure from the center of your horse’s chest, across the shoulder, to the point where the tail meets the body. This measurement, in inches, typically corresponds to the blanket size.
- Consider the neck size: Neck covers come in different sizes. Measure the length of your horse’s neck from the base of the ears to the withers to determine the appropriate neck cover size.
- Check the fit: Ensure the blanket lies smoothly over your horse’s body without any pulling or gaps. The neck cover should fit snugly around the neck without restricting movement or rubbing.
Caring for Your Horse Blanket with Neck
Proper care ensures your horse blanket with a neck remains in optimal condition:
- Regular Cleaning: Follow the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions. Most horse blankets can be machine washed on a gentle cycle with cold water.
- Proper Drying: Air dry your blanket thoroughly after washing. Avoid using a dryer, as high heat can damage the materials.
- Storage: Store your clean and dry blanket in a well-ventilated area, away from direct sunlight and moisture.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: How do I know if my horse needs a blanket with a neck?
A: Consider your horse’s breed, age, health condition, and the climate. If your horse is clipped, elderly, or particularly sensitive to cold, a blanket with a neck can provide added warmth and protection.
Q: Can I leave my horse’s neck cover on all the time?
A: It’s generally not advisable to leave a neck cover on all the time, as it can lead to overheating and skin irritation. Monitor your horse closely and remove the neck cover when not needed, especially during warmer periods or when the horse is exercising.
Q: What are some signs that a horse blanket with a neck doesn’t fit properly?
A: Signs of a poor fit include rubbing, sores, shifting of the blanket, or the horse appearing uncomfortable or restricted in its movement.
Conclusion
Choosing the right horse blanket with a neck is an important decision for any horse owner. By understanding the factors discussed in this guide – such as types, materials, fit, and care – you can ensure your equine companion stays warm, comfortable, and healthy throughout the colder months. Investing in a high-quality horse blanket with a neck is an investment in your horse’s well-being.
For a wide selection of horse blankets, including options with neck covers, be sure to check out our collection of horse blanket rambo and horse hair sheets. We also have resources available on washing horse and using horse fly sheets with belly band.
Need help with paint horse art? We can help with that too! If you need help making the right decision for your horse, don’t hesitate to contact us. Call us at 0772127271, email us at [email protected], or visit us at QGM2+WX2, Vị Trung, Vị Thuỷ, Hậu Giang, Việt Nam. We have a 24/7 customer service team ready to assist you.