Clean, well-maintained blankets protect horse health and welfare during winter. Understanding blanket care prevents skin conditions and respiratory problems.
Blanket hygiene connects directly to horse welfare through skin health and respiratory function. A horse wearing a dirty, moldy blanket continuously for winter months accumulates skin bacteria and fungi under a warm, moist environment - the ideal conditions for rain scald, mud fever, and fungal infections. These skin conditions are painful and slow to heal. Inadequate blanket fit causes pressure sores at common points including behind the elbow, on the withers, and at the shoulder. The accumulated skin damage from months of poor blanket maintenance is entirely preventable through regular cleaning, fit checking, and appropriate waterproofing maintenance. Regular removal of blankets for inspection of the skin underneath is as important as the blanket itself.