Active Pasture Horse

Owner: Kelsey Stangebye, McHenry, Illinois.

Blanket needs: Active blankets. Kelsey owns several retired horses that spend a majority of their time in the pasture. “Unless I have one that doesn’t tolerate the cold well, I usually don’t blanket my horses until it gets below 30 degrees,” Kelsey explains. “I like to to keep them outside as much as possible, so I need a heavy, waterproof blanket.”

Blanket problems: Finding a blanket with loose gussets and front-buckle closures. “Some horses don’t like when you put a blanket over their head; I like to buy blankets that have the easy-to-close, front-buckle closures, so I don’t have to worry about getting a heavy blanket over each horse’s head when they’re out.” Kelsey also needs a blanket with gussets. “If a blanket doesn’t have loose gussets, I notice rub marks on my horses’ chest and shoulder areas,” she explains.

Blanket recommendation: The Tough-1, 1,200-Denier Waterproof Poly Turnout Blanket. The ripstop poly outer shell has 250 grams of polyfill to help your horse stay dry when he’s outdoors, and an easy-to-use, double-buckle front closure with snaps. The belly wrap and tail flap provide additional protection for horses that experience more wind and snow, and the Snuggit neck creates a more custom fit for your horse to help avoid unwanted rubbing. It also comes with shoulder gussets to ensure that your horse still has freedom of movement.

More info: $119.95; jtidist.com. →