It’s a familiar dilemma for horse owners: your horse is wet from rain, snow, or a bath, and the temperature is dropping. You might feel the urge to throw on a blanket to keep them warm, but is that the right choice? While blanketing can provide comfort and protection, blanketing a wet horse can do more harm than good unless done correctly. Here’s what you need to know.

Why Blanketing a Wet Horse Can Be Problematic

If a blanket traps moisture against your horse’s coat without allowing it to breathe, it can cause issues such as:

• Rain Rot: Persistent moisture weakens the coat’s natural oils, leaving skin vulnerable to bacterial infections like rain rot.
• Overheating: As the moisture evaporates, it can trap heat under the blanket, causing your horse to sweat and become uncomfortable.
• Discomfort: A wet, non-breathable blanket can feel heavy and chilly, doing more harm than leaving your horse unblanketed.

The Importance of Breathable Materials

When blanketing a wet horse, air circulation is essential to allow moisture to evaporate. Here are key considerations:

1. Choose a Breathable Blanket
   Blankets with breathable linings—like wool, cotton, or natural fibers—allow airflow to help your horse’s coat dry. If your blanket isn’t breathable, moisture can remain trapped, creating problems.

2. Test Your Blanket’s Breathability
   Not sure if your blanket is breathable? Use this simple test: try blowing air through the fabric. If air passes through, it’s breathable. If not, it’s better suited for dry horses.

3. Layering Helps
   If you don’t have a breathable blanket, place a breathable cooler or anti-sweat sheet underneath to wick moisture away and promote drying.

Prepping Your Wet Horse Before Blanketing

To avoid complications, it’s good practice to get your horse as dry as possible first:

• Remove Excess Water: Use a sweat scraper or even a piece of clean baling twine to squeegee away moisture.
• Dry Key Areas: Pay extra attention to the pasterns and heels, as moisture buildup can lead to scratches or mud fever. Use a towel to dry these areas thoroughly.

When Not to Blanket a Wet Horse

If your blanket has a nylon lining or is non-breathable, avoid using it directly on a wet horse. Instead, consider these alternatives:

1. Thatching Method
   Sprinkle hay or straw over your horse’s back before applying the blanket. The straw creates small air pockets to allow moisture to evaporate safely. Once your horse is dry, remove the blanket and brush off the straw.

2. Skip the Blanket
   A healthy horse with a thick winter coat and access to shelter is often better off without a blanket at all. Nature has equipped most horses to handle wet weather just fine.

Monitor Your Horse Regularly

If you do blanket a wet horse, regularly check underneath the blanket:

• Ensure they’re drying properly.
• Feel for temperature changes to avoid overheating.
• Swap out damp coolers or blankets as needed.

A Wet Horse Isn’t Always an Unhappy Horse

While a soaked horse might look miserable, most are well-adapted to handle wet conditions. If your horse is healthy, in good weight, and has access to shelter, they’re likely perfectly comfortable without a blanket.

Remember: The wrong blanket is worse than no blanket at all. When in doubt, focus on breathable options, drying techniques, or letting nature take its course.

By understanding when and how to blanket properly, you can keep your horse safe, comfortable, and healthy—even when the weather doesn’t cooperate.

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