My horse lives out 24/7 in a self care situation. So I need blankets that are versatile and sturdy. We prefer not to change blankets every morning or evening so we need blankets that are breathable, but warm. I bought the SmartBlue thinsulate turnout blanket (made by Kensington) last year.
This blanket is now in the middle of its second winter. My horse wears it almost every day/night except when the temperatures go below 20 degrees. It is warm enough but not too warm so I don’t worry too much if the temperatures are going to rise to as high as 40. It is a mid-weight blanket but so light in weight that it comes as a surprise that it keeps my horse so warm.
The blanket has held up very well so far — no rips or tears, no excessive wear. My only complaint is that the leg straps stretched out but I fixed those pretty easily. It fits my horse well and has not rubbed at all. Although I prefer snap clips in the front, I can live with the buckles for the price.
I bought this blanket on sale at SmartPak for about $75 and it’s a bargain for the money. I love my Rambo blankets but this one was so much less expensive and seems so rugged that I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it.
