Weatherbeeta has provided the following information on how to measure your horse for a properly fitting Weatherbeeta blanket:
Measure your horse using the following guide to determine the correct size:
1. Using a cloth tape measure, have a friend hold the end of the tape in the center of your horse’s chest even with the widest part of his shoulder.
2. Bring the tape along one side of his body, and take the measurement at the widest part of his hindquarter where you expect the side of the blanket to end.
3. Turnouts are usually sized in 3-inch increments. If your horse is between sizes, choose the smaller size.
Once you have your Weatherbeeta blanket, here is how to tell whether it fits correctly:
The perfect-fitting blanket is vital to keep your horse comfortable, protected and performing at his best. A poorly fitted blanket can cause discomfort and rubbing, so it is important to fit your blanket correctly:
- First, lay the blanket over your horse’s back. If your horse has never worn a blanket before, you may need someone to help hold him while you carefully make adjustments.
- Buckle the chest straps. It is essential that a blanket fit well in the wither area and shoulders so your horse can move freely underneath the fabric without the blanket slipping back. Adjust the buckles and ensure you can still slide your hand down the neck of the blanket.
- Once you have determined that the blanket fits well around your horse’s neck, slide the blanket into position along his back so his coat lies flat. If the seam between the tail flap and the blanket sits below the top of his tail, the blanket may be too big.
- When fitting a blanket with cross surcingles, care should be taken to ensure that the straps cross in the center of the horse’s belly—well forward of his stifle. Again, there should be a hand’s width between the straps and the horse’s body.
- For blankets with leg straps, take the left leg strap, pass it between the hind legs and fasten it on the left hand side. Take the right leg strap, pass it between the hind legs and through the loop made by the left strap and fasten to the right side. The leg straps are linked to prevent rubbing and act with each other to keep the blanket in place. If you fit the blanket well, it will displace very little through movement and rolling. If the leg straps are too loose, the blanket will slip.
- Adjust the leg straps equally until there is room for the width of one hand (4 to 5 inches) between the leg straps and your horse’s thigh to allow freedom of movement.
