Horse Illustrated Magazine

Neck Opening: If the neck opening is too small, it will not only be uncomfortable for your horse, but may restrict his movement. Additionally, the pressure can rub your horse’s coat or even create sores if he wears a too-tight blanket regularly. If you are finding you have to adjust the chest buckles so wide that your horse is not completely covered, then your blanket does not fit properly. Notice that the blanket is pulled tightly around the horse’s shoulder (above middle.) However, if the neck opening is too loose, the blanket will move around on the horse’s body, and the extra space allows cold air, rain and snow to get underneath the blanket (above right.)

The neck opening should fit snugly so that the horse’s chest isn’t exposed, but loose enough that he can move his neck up and down comfortably. If your horse is the type that likes to nibble on his blankets, a closed-front blanket may be a better option so that he isn’t able to remove it. Correct fit is even more imperative with a closed-front blanket as there is generally little to no adjustability.