| Some may argue that horses do not really need horse | | | | the winter, at night or when the horse has been |
| blankets, because of their natural ability to survive in | | | | moved to a colder climate than it is accustomed to. |
| the cold climate. However, there are some factors that | | | | A good horse blanket is more like a coat than just a |
| these critics have either not considered or have | | | | blanket. It allows the wearer a free range of |
| chosen to ignore. Privately owned horses most | | | | movement. Blankets also serve to protect from other |
| definitely do need blankets to rely on for warmth, | | | | elements. They can be waterproof yet breathable, to |
| especially when being confined to a small area. | | | | protect from the rain while not allowing the animal to |
| The main argument against the horse blanket is that it | | | | get too warm during the day conditions. They can also |
| is unnatural for the horse to wear. But truth be told, it is | | | | come in what is also referred to as a fly sheet, which |
| also unnatural for horses to be confined to a barn, or | | | | protects against biting and disease-carrying flies but is |
| even a ranch. When in the wild, horses can rely on the | | | | lightweight and breezy so that the animal does not |
| natural features of the land such as trees, bushes and | | | | overheat. |
| large rocks as wind barriers and insulators. When in | | | | As long as the owner is responsible, and only uses |
| captivity, this is no longer possible, and horse owners | | | | horse blankets during appropriate times of the day and |
| often compensate by providing their horses with horse | | | | year, the horse should be safe. |
| blankets to keep them warm. This is essential during | | | | |