Blanket help

[Penny_lane]

I recently purchased a turnout blanket for my gelding. And, after using it on him this past week I feel like the cut doesn’t really fit him as well as it should. I feel like he has high withers, at least I think he does, and I went on to the blankets website and was reading that this blanket is made for low-moderate withers. I don’t know if it’s good enough for me to keep it since I can’t get my money back or should I get him a more proper fitting blanket? He is a 16-16.1 hand westfalion and weighs about 1000 pounds. I’ll post a few pictures of him without the blanket, so it’s easier to see his confirmation. I just want him to be comfortable and I’m worried about the fit in the withers and chest/shoulders. I might be completely wrong and maybe it’s fine, but I was hoping for some opinions on the current blanket I have for him and maybe some suggestions for a blanket brands that maybe be more suited to fit him. Both of the pictures of him in the blanket are the same brand and style, just different sizes. The first is a 76 and the second is a 78. I wasn’t sure if getting a bigger size would give him more room in those areas where it felt pretty snug, but I’m also wondering if it’s just the cut and style of blanket now that’s not right for him. The length of the current blanket seems good, maybe a little long in the bigger size. Maybe I’m overthinking this and what I have for him is fine, but any advice or suggestions would be appreciated!

 

[Penny_lane]

 

[FieldOrnaments]

I have a TB built similar and really rate weatherbeeta but as you're in the US I don't know if it's available there. Mine is about 15.2 with 16.1 withers have you asked on COTH forums? It has a more American user base so you could get more relevant brand recommendations

 

[Penny_lane]

I think from what I’ve read that weatherbeeta and amigo or any horse ware brand fits well on high withered horses. I think the blanket I currently have for him is designed for more quarter horses.

 

[Penny_lane]

I have a TB built similar and really rate weatherbeeta but as you're in the US I don't know if it's available there. Mine is about 15.2 with 16.1 withers have you asked on COTH forums? It has a more American user base so you could get more relevant brand recommendations
View attachment 172309

Thank you for the reply! Yes, we do have weatherbeeta here in America and it’s funny I was just looking into weatherbeeta and horseware before seeing your post. Thank you for the advice and suggestion!

 

[Penny_lane]

Thank you for the reply! Yes, we do have weatherbeeta here in America and it’s funny I was just looking into weatherbeeta and horseware before seeing your post. Thank you for the advice and suggestion!

Is there a specific style of weatherbeeta you like to use on him and feels fits him well?

 

[Penny_lane]

I have a TB built similar and really rate weatherbeeta but as you're in the US I don't know if it's available there. Mine is about 15.2 with 16.1 withers have you asked on COTH forums? It has a more American user base so you could get more relevant brand recommendations
View attachment 172309

Thank you for the reply! Yes, we do have weatherbeeta here in America and it’s funny I was just looking into weatherbeeta and horseware before seeing your post. Thank you for the advice and suggestion! Is there a specific style of weatherbeeta you like to use on him and feels fits him well?

 

[First Frost]

That rug seems a slightly odd shape around his neck. Not sure if it's the change in colour that makes it look wrong. I have used horseware (not rambo, probably amigo or rhino) on horses that shape. Hope you find something you and he are happy with.

 

[I'm Dun]

Its too tight round his neck, the bigger one is better but its too long. Id use the bigger one but not the smaller one.

 

[Penny_lane]

That rug seems a slightly odd shape around his neck. Not sure if it's the change in colour that makes it look wrong. I have used horseware (not rambo, probably amigo or rhino) on horses that shape. Hope you find something you and he are happy with.

Thank you! Do you find that the horseware brands, specifically the amigos, run true to size? I can’t decide between a 78 and 76 for him. I think in the past I did try a weatherbeeta for him and the 78 was huge and they didn’t have a size smaller for me to try at the time, but I think I’ve read that they run big. I think the amigos don’t come in 76 only 75, so I’m not sure if I should try the 75 or the 78. In the pictures above he’s wearing a 78 and a 76, I feel like they both fit pretty similarly, I think the 78 is a bit long on him. I’m sorry if I’m being confusing, I’m just curious in your experience with amigos how you think their sizing is?

 

[Penny_lane]

Its too tight round his neck, the bigger one is better but its too long. Id use the bigger one but not the smaller one.

Thank you! Do you think if I try letting it out in the chest on the smaller one that it might fit better? Or do you think I’m still better off using the larger one for him?

 

[Exasperated]

Thank you! Do you think if I try letting it out in the chest on the smaller one that it might fit better? Or do you think I’m still better off using the larger one for him?

I’d prefer to try this suggestion, see how much more chest / shoulder room you might get through altering the front fastenings.
If you use any rug with a rear edge which falls below the top of the tail, hangs behind the buttocks, then it is too long ( see manufacturers’ fitting guidelines, various brands), and then it will drag backwards and downwards, consequently distorting and creating pressure at the front.
It’s quite a common mistake, people think lots of extra material = a better protected horse, whereas can cause far more trouble and pressure points.
I think Shires also sell in USA, their current “ Highlander” rugs ought to work on that shape, good luck!

 

[FieldOrnaments]

Thank you for the reply! Yes, we do have weatherbeeta here in America and it’s funny I was just looking into weatherbeeta and horseware before seeing your post. Thank you for the advice and suggestion! Is there a specific style of weatherbeeta you like to use on him and feels fits him well?

The one pictured is a 600D genero lightweight/no fill and he also has a 1200D medium weight (150g iirc) comfitec

 

[First Frost]

I find the amigo and rhino true to size but rambo come up big.