Fall in Tulsa can be a little unpredictable. One day still feels like summer, and the next morning has you reaching for a jacket before heading out the door.
And if you have horses, cooler weather means it’s almost blanket season.
Before you pull last year’s horse blankets out of storage and put them right back into rotation, pay attention to what’s hiding in them. Months of barn life can leave behind dirt, sweat, hair, stains, and plenty of things you probably don’t want sitting against your horse’s skin.
That makes early fall a great time for horse blanket cleaning.
Why Clean Horse Blankets Matter
Horse blankets have a tough job. They’re exposed to dirt, mud, sweat, moisture, hair, and whatever else your horse manages to get into. And as every horse owner knows, they can get into a lot.
Over time, all that buildup can become more than just a cleaning issue. Dirt, sweat, and bacteria trapped against the skin may contribute to irritation and other skin problems.
Regular professional cleaning helps remove buildup and get blankets ready for another season of use.
It’s also a good opportunity to inspect each blanket before colder weather arrives. Look for worn areas, damaged straps, loose stitching, or other problems that could affect how the blanket fits or performs.
Don’t Forget About the Fit
Even the cleanest blanket won’t do its job well if it doesn’t fit correctly.
Before the season gets underway, check how each blanket sits on your horse. Watch for pulling around the shoulders, rubbing near the withers, or a blanket that shifts too much when your horse moves.
You’ll also want to check the belly straps. They should be secure without being overly tight, leaving enough room to comfortably fit your hand between your horse’s belly and the straps.
Taking a few minutes to check the fit now can help prevent rubbing, discomfort, and unnecessary wear later.
Take a Look Under the Blanket
Once cooler weather arrives, and blankets become part of the daily routine, don’t forget about what’s happening underneath them.
Remove the blanket regularly and give your horse a good once-over. Look for areas of hair loss, rubbing, irritation, moisture, or anything else that seems unusual.
This is especially important after temperature swings. Tulsa weather doesn’t always follow the calendar, and a blanket that was appropriate for a cold morning may become too warm later in the day.
Your horse can’t exactly say, “Hey, I’m sweating under here,” so regular checks go a long way.
Choose the Right Blanket for the Weather
Not every chilly day calls for the heaviest blanket in the barn.
Depending on the temperature, wind, precipitation, whether your horse is clipped, and how much shelter is available, you may need anything from a lightweight sheet to a heavier turnout blanket.
Having your blankets cleaned and ready ahead of time gives you options when Oklahoma weather changes overnight.
And while you’re sorting through them, don’t forget the rest of the pile. Stable blankets, turnout blankets, sheets, coolers, hoods, and other horse gear all benefit from regular cleaning.
Let Fox Handle the Dirty Work
Barn life already comes with enough chores. Cleaning bulky horse blankets doesn’t have to be one of them.
Fox Cleaners can professionally clean your horse blankets, helping remove the dirt, sweat, hair, and grime they’ve collected so they’re ready when temperatures begin to drop.
Instead of wrestling a muddy blanket into your home washing machine (and finding horse hair in places you never knew horse hair could reach), bring it to the professionals.
Get Your Horse Blankets Ready for Fall
Don’t wait for the first truly cold Tulsa morning to discover that last year’s blankets are still sitting in the barn covered in last year’s dirt.
Take inventory now. Check the fit. Inspect the straps and stitching. Then bring your horse blankets to Fox Cleaners for professional cleaning.
Your horse gets a clean, comfortable blanket. You get one less barn chore on your list. Sounds like a pretty good trade!