What Weight Turnout Does My Horse Need? A Simple Winter Guide

Every fall we get the same question more than any other: "Which weight do I actually need?" It's a fair question. Turnout labels list grams of fill, brands name their weights differently, and the horse in the next paddock always seems to be wearing something heavier than yours.

Here's the short version, the way we explain it on the phone.

First, what the grams mean

The number on a turnout (0g, 100g, 200g, 400g) is the amount of polyfill insulation between the waterproof outer and the lining. More grams means more warmth. Our collections are grouped the same way:

• Lite / turnout sheet (0g): waterproof and windproof with no insulation. For rain, wind and cool days.
• Medium-lite (50–150g): a little warmth for chilly days and cold nights in early fall and spring.
• Medium (180–250g): the workhorse weight most horses live in from late fall through winter.
• Heavy (300g+): for real cold, clipped horses, and horses that struggle to hold condition.

A starting point by temperature

Use this as a general guideline, not a rule. Every horse is a little different, and the notes below matter as much as the thermometer.

What moves your horse up or down a weight

• Clipped vs. natural coat. A clipped horse has given up its own insulation, so it usually needs one weight heavier than an unclipped horse in the same field.
• Wind and wet. Cold rain and wind chill take warmth fast. A waterproof turnout matters more on a 38°F rainy day than on a dry 25°F one.
• Age and condition. Seniors, hard keepers and horses that are a bit lean often need more help than easy keepers.
• Shelter and hay. Horses with a run-in and plenty of forage generate and keep more of their own heat.
• Your climate. A horse used to cold winters adapts differently than one in a mild region seeing a sudden cold snap.

How to check you got it right

Slide a flat hand under the blanket behind the withers and along the shoulder. Warm and dry is what you want. Damp or sweaty means the horse is too warm, so drop a weight. Cold to the touch means go up a weight or add a layer. Ears and the tip of the nose aren't reliable; they're often cool even on a comfortable horse.

Over-blanketing is just as common as under-blanketing, and a sweaty horse under a heavy turnout gets chilled when the temperature drops overnight.

The two-blanket wardrobe

If you only buy two this year, most horses do well with a waterproof turnout sheet and a medium weight, plus a liner for the coldest weeks. That combination covers almost any day of the season without a closet full of blankets. Liners and neck covers are a great way to add warmth to a turnout you already own.

Not sure about size?

Measure first. Our post Fall Prep Starts With a Tape Measure walks you through it, and our team is always happy to help you pick a size or a weight. Just get in touch.

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