Chapter 9

Saddle blankets are the visual element that ties you and your horse together and makes you look like a team.

Saddle blankets are an important part of your western show wardrobe, because they’re the visual element that ties you and your horse together and makes you look like a team. A gorgeous horse, beautifully groomed and clad in the latest tack, and a rider turned out to perfection, need just the right saddle blanket—in style, color, and size—to bring the whole look together.

First, let’s talk about saddle blankets from the horse’s point of view. Blankets (interchangeably called saddle pads) are supposed to pad the horse’s back and absorb sweat. Show blankets don’t really do either of these chores, but a liner blanket does: be sure to always use a work blanket or liner blanket under that fancy woven show Navajo. (Hint: most genuine Navajo blankets are hanging in museums these days, not tack rooms, but it’s OK to use the name for any woven show blanket). All-in-one blankets that have good back protection and a decorative top are usually not large enough or fancy enough for big-time show use, so do plan on using two blankets when you show.

You may be able to use your everyday pad as a liner under a show blanket if the work pad is small enough to be completely hidden by the showpiece. If you’re purchasing a liner just to use at shows, opt for a solid color to match your horse’s color that’s thick enough to protect the horse’s back, but not so bulky that, when the show blanket is added, your saddle looks like it’s resting on a stack of mattresses. Look for a liner blanket that will conform to your horse’s back, absorb sweat (a drier back is a happier back) and won’t peek out from under the show blanket.

Depending on the breed and events you show in, your blanket may be a basic solid color or an intricate mix of color and line. Bold blanket designs pair nicely with plain or patterned show clothes- as long as the colors of blanket and clothing coordinate. Some riders add conchos or other ornaments to plainer blankets, and some show folk like metallic yarn woven into their blankets for extra ring bling. Southwestern and tribal designs, as well as traditional geometric looks and solids, are all appropriate in show blankets.

If you wear black chaps and lots of red, then a black blanket with a red southwestern hip design is a good investment to go with your wardrobe.

Most quality show blankets are woven from 100% wool yarn. Some modestly priced models use nylon and acrylic yarns, but wool, which dyes to vibrant colors and weaves beautifully, is still the material of choice. Warp threads (the base threads in the weaving) are usually cotton or nylon, which is stronger than the wool and doesn’t stretch as much on the loom. Expect a good wool show blanket to weigh four pounds to eight pounds, and know that with reasonable care it will last a decade or longer.

Gently vacuum your show blankets after use to remove show dust and horsehair, and don’t forget to use mothballs when you store wool blankets. Dry cleaning is hard on Navajos and expensive, but can be done by a competent cleaner. Store your blankets in a blanket case that keeps them flat and dry; leave the case or bag zipper open a few inches so the blankets can breathe. A damp sponge with clear water can remove sweat marks but do let the blanket dry completely before storing. Clear blanket cases are handy to find your favorite blanket in a tack room or trailer without having to peek in every bag.

If your blanket ‘springs a leak’ and starts to come unwoven, use a tapestry needle and matching yarn to darn the damaged spot, or return it to the maker for mending. You can trim yarn ends that occasionally pop from the weave flush with the blanket, or use a crochet hook to pull these ends to the back side of the blanket. These ‘loose ends’ are normal and result from the weaver adding in more yarn as they work. Use wear leathers to protect the sides of your blanket from staining and abrasion from latigo straps.

With today’s show saddles sporting deeper skirts, and designed to fit larger horses, blanket size is very important. A good starting size for show blankets is 34" nose to tail, and 36" side to side. A large skirted show saddle on a big horse may need a blanket that’s 34” x 40” in size. Of course, if you ride a small horse or have a smaller saddle, you may not need such a large blanket. Don’t use a double blanket (rectangular, then folded in half to make two layers) for showing, as the layers tend to shift and the corners curl up as you ride.

Bold blanket designs pair nicely with plain or patterned show clothes- as long as the colors of blanket and clothing coordinate.