Hi-

A friend of mine asked me if I could make her a horse blanket..never really thought about it, but was just wondering if there is anyone out there with some experience with this? What type of fabric do you use (I would assume something water repellent and breathable?)??

Thoughts/ideas welcome

Does she want winter blankets? I would say you would need an industrial machine, since the fabric itself is a very heavy duty canvas like, plus the inside is something like a 5/8-1 inch thick felting. I personally, would tell her it would be cheaper if she either purchased them at a feed store or maybe on line at Valley Vet, Miller Harness, etc.

I get mine at horse.com. WAYT cheaper than you could make it. They have many sizes to fit everything from a mini to a draft.

If she's wanting something different for her horse perhaps she could purchase one and you could put some quilt blocks on it. Don't listen to me, I know NOTHING about horses except for that they're pretty. Maybe she just wants something quilted for her horse and doesn't want it to be functional as much as for pictures or to make her horse more noticable at a show. In that case, could you just make it of something very washable?

I agree with the others. "Store-bought" would not only be less expensive, but also safer for the horse than home-made.

I have horses and I quilt and I buy my horse blankets. I have had to repair on occassion and if you dont have a heavy duty machine it will be a hassle. Hope this helps.

I buy my horse blankets. There are turnouts, which are waterproof, stable blankets, sheets etc... they need to REALLY be made well so that the horse doesn't get rubs (rubbed raw on shoulders), be safe so that if the horse lies down or gets hung on something the blanket will rip and the horse can be free not hung up. This is a 1000 lb animal that bucks and runs and rolls and the blanket needs to be tough and well made! Oh and we wash the blankets alot. To me it is well worth the money to purchase a Weatherbeeta or Rambo or Saxon....My weatherbeeta's last several winters with constant use.

Check suitability.com for horse blanket patterns and fabric retailers.