Through the course of the winter season, horse blankets take a beating. Your horse’s blankets may be showing rips, tears, and even missing hardware. If you’re hoping to get them through just a few more months, then repairing them by hand is probably the way to go. These tips will help you get your blankets to last the rest of the season.

Use a Patch

Blanket patches are probably the easiest way to fix small rips and holes. It is best to use a patch specifically designed for repairing horse blankets, and if you are repairing a waterproof blanket, you will want to be sure to use a waterproof patch. Tent patches and duct tape can also suffice in a pinch.

Before you apply a patch, bring the blanket inside and give it time to return to room temperature. The area to be patched will need to be clean and dry. Don’t throw the blanket into the washing machine, though – doing so may make the hole bigger. Instead, clean the area to be repaired with an alcohol wipe or with alcohol on a cotton ball. Allow it to dry thoroughly before you apply the patch.

Sew Small Repairs

Small rips and tears can be hand sewn. Because horse blankets are made of durable material, you will need a heavy-duty needle, like a carpet needle. Be sure that you use a strong thread – marine supply stores generally have both the needle and thread available. Dental floss or fishing line can be substituted for thread.

To make a repair on a particularly heavy-duty area in the blanket, such as where the surcingle joins the blanket, you will need to use an awl, which can help to safely press the thread through the multiple layers of material. An awl is handy to have around the barn, too, since it can be used for leather repairs.

Re-Waterproof

Blankets can lose their waterproofing capabilities over time, and if your horse is getting wet beneath his blanket, then it may be time to re-waterproof the blanket. Blanket re-waterproofing treatments are available through tack stores and online retailers, and some horse owners even use tent waterproofing treatments on their blankets successfully.

Purchase Extra Blanket Hardware

At some point, your horse will either break or lose hardware from one of his blankets. Having extra blanket hardware on hand means that you can quickly put the blanket back to use. It’s a good idea to buy blanket hardware to have in your tack box, or save the hardware off of an old blanket before you throw the blanket out.

The end of winter is nearing, but your horse’s blankets need to last at least another month or so. These hand-fixes can get you through until you can have the blanket professionally repaired.

Photo source: ingimage.com

Original source: Blanket Repair Tips