Helpful definitions for winter horse blankets

I found this wonderful explanation in the Jeffers pet catalog and thought I would share it with you. It answers many of the questions we have all had about types of winter blankets and how to measure and fit your horse.

DENIER is the type of thread the blanket shell is made of. The higher the number (i.e. 1680 Denier) the heavier the thread, the higher density of the weave. The higher the density - the greater the durability and strength of the fabric for outdoor use.
 WATERPROOF: a membrane is bonded to the inside of the shell allowing it to breathe and, at the same time, reject water penetration. Washing in soap and water will damage the waterproof properties of the membrane. If the outside of the blanket is a NYLON it is not waterproof. Jeffers Canvas Turn-Out Blanket is water resistant - NOT waterproof. Only the Denier blankets, including the stable blanket - ARE waterproof. CLIMATE: Most horses can do very well in mid-weight blankets because their hair is its own form of insulation and can keep most horses warm and toasty. For areas that have below 0 degree temperatures like Minnesota and New York, Maine and Michigan, the heavy-weight blankets will be far more comfortable for the horse. The higher the 'FILL', the warmer/heavier the blanket.

• Sheet - NO fill
  
• Lightweight - up to 120 grams
  
• Midweight has about 180 - 240 grams of fill
  
• Heavyweight has about 300 - 400 grams of fill

MEASURE FOR SIZE:Measure with a soft measuring tape from the center of the chest, around the point of the shoulder, back along the widest part of their flank and end just at the edge of the tail.To measure for a European cut of blanket, like WeatherBeeta or Horseware, measure the same way and subtract 2". If between sizes, round to the nearest blanket size. (ex. Your horse is a 76 and the blanket sizes are 75 and 78, pick a 75.)  STABLE BLANKET: designed to be used inside the barn where protected. TURN OUT BLANKET: designed to be used outside rain or shine, rough and tumble behavior.

Thank you to Jeffers Catalog for this extremely well-done write-up about horse blankets. You can see more on their site at:  http://www.jefferspet.com/horse-blankets-and-sheets/camid/PET/ca/170/

Great new facility! Great year in general!

Well, it's been quite some time since I last posted here. The good news is that the time has been full of many positive things, including purchasing and building a new horse boarding facility as well as lots of wonderful riding!

We are all enjoying my new place on Airport Road, between Bozeman and Belgrade. The half-mile riding track I put in around the perimeter of the back acreage is probably one of our most amazing features and it gets lots of use.

Our neighbors are wonderful and you couldn't ask for better views of the surrounding mountain ranges.

So, with all of that said, 2011 was a year of building and 2012 has been one for riding. I am extremely pleased with the progress I've been making with my mare, Bellini. We showed at the first two Bozeman Dressage & Combined Training Club schooling shows and scored very well. I've had the pleasure of riding with Patrick Severance at Saddle Peak Equestrian Center this spring and with Meggan Holloway of Holloway's Pretty Good Horse Barn this summer. I do believe we are extremely fortunate to have so many knowledgeable and talented instructors in the Valley.

We have a lot of activities that we are involved with for the next few months, including trail rides and a wedding, but hopefully it won't take me a year to get back to this blog! Click on the link below to go to my Facebook page. You can see lots more photos there.  Happy Riding!  Rosi

https://www.facebook.com/home.php?closeTheater=1#!/pages/Holiday-Horse-Care-Boarding-Stables/147941031907698