How to Make Your Own Horse Blanket

How to Make Your Own Horse Blanket. Horse blankets can be a big expense if you have more than one horse. Even one thick blanket can cost a couple hundred dollars. Make your own horse blanket to offset the high cost of outfitting your horses for the winter. High quality blankets can be made for a fraction of the cost of a commercially made blanket with low grade materials.

Things Needed

• Pattern
• Sewing machine and heavy duty thread
• Fabric
• Lining
• Material for straps, 2 or 3 inches wide
• Buckles or industrial-strength Velcro
• Measuring tape

Step 1

Measure the horse that you are making the blanket for. Measure from the center of his chest straight back to the center of the back of his rear leg, about 1-foot below his tail. This is how long the blanket must be.

Step 2

Choose a fabric and liner for your blanket. The liner can be a heavy or medium felt, depending on the climate in your area. The fabric for your blanket should be a thick, canvas material. Waterproof material is best, but is not required. Strong canvas material deters scratching, since horses may rub the blanket against a tree or post.

Step 3

Lay out the pattern for the blanket on top of the fabric you have chosen for the new blanket. Cut out your new blanket by making it a bit larger or smaller, depending on the size you need. Do the same for the liner, making it the same size as the new material you cut out.

Step 4

Lay the newly cut material on the horse to ensure the proper fit before sewing the liner and material together. Also mark the areas on the blanket where straps will be placed. The girth area, chest, under the tail and around the rear legs will need straps.

Step 5

Put the blanket back on the floor or large table and begin to sew it together with the liner. Leave openings for the straps to be sewn into the blanket.

Step 6

Using a strong, webbed material (like seatbelt material) for straps, sew straps into the openings and complete sewing the blanket edge.

Step 7

Using industrial strength Velcro or small buckles and straps, sew them to the front flaps of the blanket, creating a way to secure the blanket on the horse.

Step 8

Finish the blanket by adding buckles to the straps for securing the blanket on the horse.

Warnings

• Remember to buy a heavy canvas material if you want a waterproof blanket. Waterproofing spray can be applied to make a heavy material waterproof. Find buckles for horse blankets at tack stores near you or online.

Warnings

• Never try to sew the blanket, even by hand, while it is on the horse.