Chapter 9

Chapter 9

SADDLE BLANKETS

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.

Show blankets should be selected in colors which enhance your wardrobe and flatter your horse.

If you like fancier blankets with colorful contrast designs, remember that all loom-woven blanket patterns are always a series of straight lines. If you’re trying to echo an arcing design in a show garment, you’ll discover that smooth curves are impossible within the linear format of the weaver’s grid, but almost-curved lines can be made as a series of small steps giving a slightly jagged finish to the line. No matter the skill of the weaver, custom blankets are still limited to the geometric constraints of the loom.

Evaluate a blanket’s impression from a distance, just as it will appear across the show ring. Fine designs of similar colors will blur in the arena, so bold contrasts and larger motifs are better bets to carry out a theme from far away. Simple designs may be a good choice if you wear patterned clothes so there’s not a clash between blanket and blouse, but complex blanket/shirt coordination done well looks terrific.

Show blankets should be selected in colors which enhance your wardrobe and flatter your horse. 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. With many show blankets costing several hundred dollars, buy smart and get one that will work with most of your clothes. Some show blankets are reversible which gives you similar colors in a different design. Keep in mind the part your horse’s color plays as well: a black blanket will blend into a bay horse’s coat, but provide strong contrast and beautifully frame your saddle on a gray horse.

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.

Evaluate a blanket’s impression from a distance, just as it will appear across the show ring.

Try to test-drive a blanket before you buy it. Use the liner blanket and the saddle you intend to show in to make sure the blanket’s proportions look good on your horse and that the woven design, if any, is still visible when you’re tacked up. Many shows now require two numbers to be used on the back corners of show blankets—if your shows use double numbers, remember they may cover much of your blanket’s design.

As with your other show equipment, invest in the best show blankets within your budget and you’ll not only look good, you’ll look good for many years to come. Whether you buy off the rack or have a special blanket custom woven, choose the right style, colors, and size and you and your horse will always look like a winning team.