Purpose

• A turnout blanket can be used to help stop a horse from growing a shaggy winter coat. Also, a horse whose hair has been clipped needs the warmth of a turnout blanket if it is going to be out in the cold.
  
  

Benefits

• Besides horses that are clipped, older horses, horses that have recently been sick and horses that have recently lost weight would benefit from a turnout blanket.
  
  

Size

• Turnout blankets come in different sizes based on the height of your horse and the distance from the middle of the horse's chest to the base of his tail, notes the Equisearch website.
  
  

Types

• Most turnout blankets are waterproof, but the amount of lining you need depends on the climate where you live. Turnout blankets are available with no lining, partial lining or full lining, and they can be lined with synthetic material or wool.
  
  

Consideration

• While a turnout blanket keeps your horse warm during the winter, nothing replaces the warmth of the horse's natural coat. Unless you are riding consistently throughout the winter, consider leaving your horse's coat in its natural state, suggests the PetPlace website.