Home > How to Fit A Blanket - Size & Measurement

How to Fit A Blanket - Size & Measurement

At Mary's Tack & Feed we sell horse blankets & sheets dozens of times a week so we’ve got lots of experience & are ready to assist you. Getting the right fit shouldn’t be tough; let’s get started!

So you’ve got a horse that needs a blanket or sheet. How to measure this fellow for the best fit? Blankets are measured & sized to fit the length of his body from center of his chest to just before the tail. So height doesn’t have much to do with what size to purchase but length has everything to do with correct size! Height does matter with the style. We will address height after correctly measuring your horse for that new blanket.

Because most soft measuring tapes are just 60” long please note you’ll only go that far; mark that spot & then continue to measure. So be prepared to mark the midway point with finger or chalk & then add the 2 measurements together. Some customers prefer to use one long piece of twine & then measure the length of the twine.

The figure below shows best how to measure your horse.

• Stand your horse square on a level spot in a comfortable & secure place

• Place the measuring tape or twine at the center of his chest

• Measure along the length of his body going across the widest part of his shoulder to where you’ll just meet the tail. Here’s where some folks make a mistake – do not measure to the middle of the tail. As you measure make sure the measuring tape stays level & taut.

• Add your two measurements together. Round up to the next full inch & now you’ve got your blanket size! Example 77 1⁄2 inches round up to 78 inches

So now you know your horse blanket measurements are for a 78” blanket. You’re not quite home free yet ? Here is where we’ll address height & style or “cut” of blanket.

• Euro cut blankets typically measure in 3” increments 69”, 72”, 75”, 78”, 81”…and feature shoulder gussets, a smaller neck opening that’s more forward up the mane, a longer drop and a roomier, boxy fit - especially at the tail end where Euro cuts tend to be square and extend about 3” off the top of the tail (not including tail flap. Drop refers to how far down his leg the blanket goes – like the length of a dress it can be just below his belly, midway to his knees or to his knees. Euro cut typically has 2 crisscross belly straps. For tall horses consider the Euro cut with longer drop to properly protect belly & upper legs from the elements.

• Taper cut blankets come in 2” increments 68”, 70”, 72” & up. Taper cuts are contoured through the body especially at the hip - it is curved with the area over the tail contoured back & no tail flap. A wider neck opening allows less contact with mane. The drop is just below the belly. Consider Taper cut blankets for short to average height horses. Less likely to be overwhelmed by lots of fabric or stepping on a long drop when they get up after a nice snooze!

How to Fit A Blanket - Size & Measurement