How to Measure Your Horse for a Kensington Blanket

Kensington Protective Products has provided the following information on how to measure your horse for a properly fitting Kensington blanket:

Measure Twice, Buy Once

Fitting a Horse Blanket: Here’s how to get the perfect fit.

All you need is a cloth measuring tape
(or a string that can be placed on a rigid measuring tape).

1. Stand your horse up squarely on a level surface.

2. Take the end of the tape in your left hand and place it in the center of the chest.

How to Measure Your Horse for a Kensington Blanket
Measuring for a blanket

3. With your right hand, draw the tape along the side, across the widest part of his shoulder, keeping the tape level and taut.

4. Bring the tape to the midpoint of
the buttock (about 10 to 12 inches below the place where the tail joins
the body).

5. Note the measurement. If you come out with an odd number, round up to the next even number for a Traditional or Standard-Cut blanket. If purchasing a European-Cut blanket,reduce the measurement by 2 inches.

Exact measurments are best for getting the perfect blanket fit; however, you can also approximate blanket size based on horse height using the following chart:

Horse Size (In Hands)	Blanket Size
11 1/2	58” – 60”
12 -13 1/2	64”
13 1/2 – 14 1/2	68”
14 1/2 -15 1/2	72”
15 12 – 16	74”
16 – 16 1/2	76”
16 1/2 – 17 1/2	78”- 80”
18	82” – 84”

Horse blankets are available in Traditional and European Cuts. Traditional Cuts are ideal for horses with broad chests (Quarter Horses) and high withers (Thoroughbreds). Kensington offers specialized cuts for Minatures, Shetland Ponies, Friesians and draft horses.

Comparing Blanket Cuts European Vs Traditional

Kensington European and Traditional Cut

European Cut Features	Traditional Cut Features
Seamless Back	Contoured Back and Rear
Loose Fit	Cut Back Neck
Longer Drop	Single Belly Strap
High Neck
Criss Cross Belly Strap

Once you have your Kensington blanket, here is how to assess the blanket fit.

Check the Following Areas for Blanket Fit:

Withers. Run your hand up and over the withers. If the neck hole is the appropriate size and shape, your hand will slide easily through. Also, unless the blanket
is designed to leave the withers uncovered, make sure the front edge extends at least three inches over the mane hair.

Shoulders. Slide your hand under the blanket at the shoulders. If it fits well, there will be enough space for your hand to slide easily.

Neck. Scrutinize the shape of the blanket’s neck hole. Use a carrot to encourage your horse to lower his head. A proper fit allows him to reach without pinching or restriction.

Belly. Check the fit of the belly straps by sliding your hand between them and the horse. A few inches of clearance reduces rubbing, but more than five inches poses the risk of entanglement

Legs. Rear leg straps can be irritants. To keep them from rubbing the inside of a horse’s leg, buckle one as you normally would; then loop the other strap through and buckle. This keeps the straps clear of the legs.

Hips. Traditional-Cut blankets are contoured to hug the body; European-Cut blankets fit more loosely.

Tail area. If a blanket or tail flap is too long, it can prevent a horse from lifting his tail, leading to a real mess.

Measure Twice, Buy Once

Fitting a Horse Blanket: Here’s how to get the perfect fit.

Once you have your Kensington blanket, here is how to assess the blanket fit.

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