Autumn
Horse blanket temperature chart and rug guide
The University of Maine gives different temperature ranges for horses with a full coat and those with a short or clipped coat. Its winter guide is reproduced below as two tables, keeping the original Fahrenheit ranges. The guidance was written for winters in Maine, USA.
Maine temperature chart: full coat
These are the full-coat ranges from the university’s graphic and its text alternative, presented as a table.
| Temperature in the source (°F) | Blanket options in the source |
|---|---|
| 40 °F and above | No blanket |
| 25 to 39 °F | No blanket, or a rain sheet if raining |
| 15 to 24 °F | Light or medium weight |
| 0 to 14 °F | Heavy weight |
| Below 0 °F | Heavy weight with a liner and hood |
Source: University of Maine: Winter Blanketing Guide for Equines in Maine, Bulletin #1038. Checked 12 October 2026. Maine winter guidance; original Fahrenheit ranges.
Maine temperature chart: short or clipped coat
| Temperature in the source (°F) | Blanket options in the source |
|---|---|
| 40 to 50 °F | Rain sheet or light weight |
| 25 to 39 °F | Light or medium weight |
| 15 to 24 °F | Heavy weight |
| Below 15 °F | Heavy weight with a liner and hood |
Source: University of Maine: Winter Blanketing Guide for Equines in Maine, Bulletin #1038. Checked 12 October 2026. The short-or-clipped-coat graphic gives no range above 50 °F.
Why are there different options at the same temperature?
The two tables describe different coats, so their temperature ranges overlap. Within a row, the source sometimes offers a choice, such as light or medium weight. Those alternatives do not identify one compulsory blanket for every horse. We have not added missing ranges or converted them into a rule for extra grams in rain or wind.
The guide is by Rachel White, PhD, and was reviewed by veterinarian Dr Kelsey Hilton. Read it in its Maine winter context; it is not a chart developed for every climate.
What matters for your horse?
Consider the individual factors described by World Horse Welfare, whose guidance was externally reviewed by Dr David Marlin:
- Coat thickness and how much hair has been clipped.
- Body condition, health and age.
- Rain, shelter and freedom to move.
- Forage availability and the horse’s individual needs.
Check the horse and the blanket
The University of Maine guide also covers daily management and fit:
- Check the forecast each day and review the blanket as conditions change.
- Remove the blanket regularly to inspect body condition and rubbed skin.
- Check waterproofing before outdoor use and replace saturated blankets.
- Follow the maker’s sizing instructions and check for tightness at the shoulders and withers.
Record your own rugging plan
- Record the blanket chosen for your horse and the conditions it was chosen for.
- Add the latest check and anything unusual.
- Agree who will check next and when to review the choice.
In Halster
Keep your rugging plan to hand
Note your chosen blanket, the conditions and what you found during your check in Halster.
Install the test version through TestFlight.
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Sources