First and foremost, a horse blanket is there to protect your horse or pony. It should keep you warm, protect you from external influences, keep insects out and, ideally, look stylish too. There is a horse blanket to suit every application. Find functional and stylish horse blankets for every need at Löw Reitsport. We stock classic sweat and rain blankets, winter and training blankets, as well as special magnetic field blankets.

In summer, our breathable fly rugs protect your horse from annoying insects in the paddock, in the stable or when riding out. For even more protection from external influences, they are often equipped with UV protection.

Discover a large selection of different horse blankets online at Löw Reitsport.

magnetic field ceilings

Magnetic field blankets are suitable all year round, protect the horse from dust and insects and are equipped with magnets that are attached along the spine, shoulders and torso.

The integrated magnets ensure that the blood vessels are expanded, which accelerates the removal of toxins and regeneration after training. In addition, the magnetic field naturally compensates for energy deficits and eliminates pain.

fly sheets

Fly sheets are almost indispensable, especially in the warmer months and when your horse spends a lot of time outside. They protect against all kinds of pests such as flies, mosquitoes, black flies or horseflies. Thanks to the breathable mesh material that most fly sheets for horses are made of, your horse won't sweat unnecessarily even on hot days.

sweat blankets

If your horse, like most horses, sweats heavily after training or riding, there is a risk that the sweat combined with cold air can lead to illness. A special sweat rug protects against this. It is placed on the horse after riding or training and protects the sensitive back and kidney area from cooling down and the muscles from cooling down too quickly. If you don't use a sweat rug, painful tension and illness can quickly develop. A sweat rug is generally made without filling because the material should optimally transport the moisture to the outside without forming drops. This keeps the horse warm and dry even after major exertion.

outdoor blankets

Horse blankets for outdoor use have a special coating that protects against water penetration. This is ensured in particular by the seams, which are ideally welded or taped, and a material made of synthetic fiber such as polyester. The outdoor blankets have optimal breathability and are tear-resistant at the same time and are available with or without warming filling as required. To ensure that the outdoor horse blankets remain waterproof for a long time, they must be re-impregnated regularly, especially after washing.

stable blankets

Stable blankets are designed to protect your horse from drafts and cold in the stable. They are available in lined or unlined versions. Unlike outdoor blankets, they are not waterproof or rain-repellent, but are specifically designed for use in the stable. Here, their primary purpose is to keep your horse warm and protect it from drafts and cold in the stable.

The unlined version of the stable blanket is best suited for the transitional period, while the lined blankets are used in autumn or winter.

work blankets

A work blanket makes sense if you train or ride your horse outdoors a lot. If your horse is exposed to the elements without protection, you should go for a waterproof version. If you mostly train in a covered training area or in a hall, the version without waterproof protection is sufficient. A work blanket usually has a fleece lining, which protects the sensitive back and kidney area, but at the same time allows sweat to evaporate during exercise.

How do I properly care for my horse blanket?

A good horse blanket is made of high-quality functional textiles and requires professional care, both for hygienic reasons and to maintain its usefulness and lifespan.
Before washing, you should first remove any coarse dirt from the blanket using a soft brush. The Velcro fasteners should also be cleaned with a specially designed brush and then closed. This way, no threads or fibers from the blanket can be pulled into the Velcro fastener during washing.

It is important that the blanket has freedom of movement in the drum when washing. Common household washing machines often do not have enough capacity for this. Is it possible to have the blanket cleaned externally? If the blanket fits and you can wash and care for it yourself, make sure to wash it at a maximum of 30° and with a special horse blanket detergent and definitely without fabric softener or other additives.

After washing, the horse blanket should be hung in a dry place out of direct sunlight. A household dryer should not be used as this generates temperatures that are too high and can damage the blanket. Before the blanket can be folded, it must be thoroughly dried, otherwise there is a risk of mold forming. Waterproof blankets must also be impregnated after washing. The impregnation spray should also be thoroughly dried before folding. Horse blankets should ideally be stored in a dry and clean place. Blanket holders and blanket bags are ideal.

When does my horse need which blanket?

Horses perceive temperatures differently than we do. When we start to shiver, a horse only really feels comfortable. The thermoneutral zone of a healthy horse is between -15° and 25°, which means that it is neither too warm nor too cold in this area. For comparison: for humans, this zone is between 27° and 32°. But when does my horse actually need which type of blanket?

In the wild, horses can easily regulate their own temperature. A combination of individual body fat percentage, coat thickness, sweat gland activity, vascular movement and muscle contraction determines what is known as thermoregulation in a horse living in the wild. And here you can already see the difference: horses that are completely or partially clipped, horses that move less due to age or illness, or horses whose natural fat layer is no longer natural due to grooming or washing, must be protected from external influences. Also note that horses, just like every individual, also have an individual sensitivity to cold. Observe the horse closely and find out what type it is.

The following factors should be considered when choosing the right horse blanket:

Weather – The weather is a decisive factor in choosing a blanket. As the weather can change throughout the day, especially in autumn or spring, it may be necessary to change your horse's blanket more than once a day.

Horse keeping – The type of horse keeping is also important to consider when choosing the optimal blanket. If the horse is kept in a warm, dry stable, the requirements for the horse blanket are different than if the horse is in an open stable or paddock. Outside, a weatherproof outdoor blanket is needed, while in the stable, a stable blanket is sufficient.

Coat – Unclipped horses generally do not need a blanket. However, clipped horses or horses that generally have problems with their winter coats require a compensating blanket.

Activity – If the horse moves a lot on its own, it will generate enough body heat. However, if it is rather inactive, whether due to its nature or illness, then it will probably need help with thermoregulation.

Horse breed – When choosing a horse blanket, also pay attention to the breed. While robust breeds such as Icelandic horses, which have a fairly lush winter coat, usually do not need blankets, this may be necessary for other breeds.

Sick or old horses – If your horse's organism is weakened, which may be due to age or illness, it will most likely need help with thermoregulation. Additional warmth must be provided with the help of a blanket.

How big should a horse blanket be?

The correct size is so important so that the horse blanket fits perfectly. This not only ensures that it is comfortable to wear, but also maintains the functional properties and prevents accidents caused by, for example, straps getting caught. A horse blanket that doesn't fit properly can lead to pressure points and chafing, particularly in the neck and shoulder area of ​​your horse. In addition to hair breakage, there is also a risk of very painful fistulas in the withers.

Therefore, you should measure your horse carefully before buying it. Since not all animals have the same body structure, it is possible that the standard sizes do not fit. It is best to measure the back, the height and the base of the neck. You should also pay attention to the development of the neck muscles and the shoulder structure individually.

The length of the back is measured between the base of the tail and the highest point of the withers. Instead of a ruler, it is best to use a tape measure, which can be placed more precisely along the spine.

When you get back to the stable, you should definitely try the blanket on. When trying it on, you should pay attention to the following things:

Neckline – Depending on the brand and model, the neckline varies considerably. This is especially true for blankets with high-necked necks, so-called “high-neck blankets”. Make sure that the neckline is clearly in front of the withers and shoulders. If your horse can no longer lower its head without problems, the blanket is too tight. If it slips behind the withers, it is too loose.

Chest area – especially with outdoor rugs, make sure that they fit perfectly around the chest with good fastening. If the chest area fits nicely without being tight as soon as your hand is on the underside of the horse's neck, then the rug fits perfectly. If it cuts in, it is too tight; if it is too loose, it will slide backwards over the withers.

Shoulder area – A horse's shoulder needs space to avoid chafing. Pay particular attention to whether your horse has particularly steep or sloping shoulders. A low withers should also be taken into account. A smooth inner lining protects the coat and protects against chafing. A well-fitting horse blanket sits nice and loosely on the shoulder. If it is tight here or restricts your horse's movement, it is too tight. A blanket that is too wide will slide backwards, so that the fold is no longer at shoulder height.