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1.  Turn-out rugs are exactly what they sound like. Turn-out rugs are blankets that are sturdy enough to handle the wear and tear of life outside. They are designed to hold up to the roughest of play. They are also designed to rip if the horse gets caught on something in their field.

There are two types of turn-out rugs. The heavy variety are designed to be used during the cold winter months while the lighter blankets (the lighter variety of blankets are typically called sheets while the heavier type are called rugs).

2.  Quarter sheets are strange looking things. Held next to the full size sheets and rugs they look like somebody forgot to attach the front half of the blanket but this is not the case. Quarter sheets are designed to hook to the saddle and cover the horses haunches. They are typically used to keep a horses muscles warm whilst the rider waits to go into the show ring after a rider has finished their pre-class schooling session. Some riders decide to save money and instead of purchasing a quarter sheet they simply use their stable sheet folded in half to cover their horse.

Stable sheets are light weight sheets that are too thin to be used outside of the stabling area. They are generally used to cover the horse after its been groomed and bathed. They have the specific purpose of keeping the horse clean. Some riders use stable sheets to cover a horse while it is being transported. Many large stables have their stable sheets custom made in their stables colors. Stable sheets are sometimes called dress sheets by some catalogs and tack stores.

3.  Coolers are another type of blanket that are self-explanatory. Coolers are placed on a hot horse to help slow the cooling process. They cover the entire horse, ear to tail. The open design of coolers allows the air to flow through them. Coolers are typically custom designed in a stables colors and can be monogrammed. Several shows give away coolers, instead of trophies and ribbons, as an reward for high point championships.

4.  Fly sheets are blankets that are designed to help keep flies from pestering their horses. Horse owners can choose between a close knit fly sheet or one that has a large weave pattern.

5.  Blanket liners are typically designed from thin smooth material that is designed to slide smoothly across the horses muscles without rubbing off the hair or chaffing the skin. Typically blanket liners cover only the horses chest and shoulders where blankets typically wear at the horses hair.

This should now help you in deciding the type of horse blanket you need for you intended, purpose, it is important to make sure though that any blanket you choose properly fits your horse.

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Just because the average horse doesn’t need a blanket in the winter doesn’t mean that they all don’t. Several breeds, including Arabians and Thoroughbreds, have thin skin that is easily chilled. Older horses can also have a difficult time staying warm. Horses that have had an injury or illness that caused them to loose hair. Horses that are underweight are another group of horses that should be watched carefully to make sure they don’t develop a chill.

There are a variety of reason’s horse owners might choose to use a  horse blanket during the winter months. Some people who ride during the winter months choose to save time cooling out and waiting for their horse to dry after it has been worked by body clipping, horses that have been body clipped must be blanketed.  Show barns might decided to leave their horses blanketed so they are able to attend shows in the early spring with a horse that is sleek and shiny as opposed to a horse that is covered in a thick winter fuzz.

In the summer there are three main reasons a horse owner might choose to use horse blankets on their horses.

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Horse blankets are collected by some people and used as decoration around their home.  Western décor is a popular one, especially in some areas of California, Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, Wyoming, and Colorado.  Although not limited to these areas, they have reached high levels of popularity.

If you have ever been to a rodeo, you are sure to have seen a horse blanket. It’s all part of the western charm of the rodeo. Maybe you aren’t a rodeo fan, but just love horses. You may be a horse racing fan, own a farm, or just have a horse for a pet. You don’t have to own one.

Horse blankets are often sold in tourist attractions across the United States. Along the route from Texas to California, you can find them in the tourist stores along the interstate. Almost any farm clothing store will carry blankets to sell. There are those made in Mexico, for sale to the tourists who want to take home a warm or decorative memento of their travels. You can find them at stores or flea markets held on Indian reservations. You may be lucky enough to pick some up at garage sales.

Some like to scatter them around their home for use as throws to keep them warm as they watch television or a movie in their living room or den. They can be quite attractive tossed over the couch or favorite recliner. You can even use them as curtains or throw one on your bed to complete your room! Do you have an unsightly mess you wish to cover? Put that horse blanket to use! Give an old one to the kids to play with, for use with their outdoor picnics to spread on the ground for a nap, or to arrange their toys for a pretend farm scene.

A horse blanket can be carried in the car to use on long trips. It can cover your stained seats, your valuables bought along the way as you make trips to shop or visit the tourist attractions, or to keep you warm if your heater is on the blink! They are made of sturdy, durable materials and are long-lasting. There are many types some made of softer materials that just have a horse’s picture on it and not for actual use on a horse. It would probably be a stretch to even call it a horse blanket.

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Most story books about horses and cowboys or Indians will include a reference to or a picture of a horse blanket. It is also a work of art for collectors and to western museums.

Where to buy a horse blanket is not a problem as there are so many outlets available both online and in equestrian stores. A selection could be as close as your local feed store. Many magazines that advertise western or Indian related items will carry horse blankets. Some of the bigger, well-known flea markets also are sure to have someone dealing in horse blankets. Some of the companies that sell western items and equipment are American Saddlery, Cottage Craft, Classic Equine, Horsewear, and Cowboy Brand.

Horse blankets were used in the Wild West days of gun fighting and are used in theaters with plays about western days, in farms and ranches around the globe, soldiers who fought wars on horseback used the them. Go to any rodeo across the United States, and you won’t see a rodeo without seeing a horse blanket. You will also find them sold at travel stops and tourist stores, although some may only be decorative and less functional to the real cowboy or cowgirl. A restaurant that advertises steak as one of its main attractions might have a statue on display with a horse and its trusty blanket.

The fibers in a good horse blanket will wick away the sweat from the horse’s back. Lighter ones also help keep the horse comfortable while they wait in the heat of the sun or in a hot building, such as an auction building or a barn with poor airflow.

Horse blankets are easy to care for and tend to look better as they age, although excessive wear will merit replacement for your horse’s benefit. A torn or holey blanket is sure to have less ability to do what it is meant to do. They are a staple necessity for the hard-core cowboy or frequent rider. They are a help to ranch hands when they have to stay out in the weather during round-ups of livestock. Even if the horse does not need the blanket, the rider might. It makes a nice pallet to shield the rider from the ground should they spend a night by the campfire! It certainly more comfortable to the head than a rock should a nap be necessary during work breaks. It may even be used as a changing curtain should a lady rider or work hand be mixed among the men folk! (No peaking, fellows!) You could also place it under your basket and dinnerware to protect your picnic from the insects crawling around by spreading it over the ground or a nearby rock while you eat.

It is easy to see why horse blankets have lasted through time as one of the most important and necessary pieces of equipment for all involved with horses and ponies for that matter.

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