Fall can test even the best blanketing system. One day your horse is sweating under the sun, the next they’re standing in a cold drizzle.

Pick the wrong blanket and you’ll be dealing with rubs, damp spots, or a miserable horse. Pick the right one and your horse stays dry, comfortable, and ready to move.

The key is knowing which features actually matter. Here are the five features you should be looking for in your turnout blankets.

1. Waterproofing That Actually Holds Up

Most blankets advertise as “waterproof,” but seasoned horse owners know not every fabric holds up. After a week of steady rain, a weak blanket can start to seep, leaving your horse chilled and uncomfortable.

That’s why looking for turnout blankets with strong, coated fabrics matter, along with a breathable lining that prevents sweat from building up when the weather suddenly turns warm. The goal is to keep your horse dry on the outside and comfortable underneath.

If you’ve ever peeled off a damp, clammy blanket, you know how miserable that can make a horse feel. Paying attention to these details is part of smart seasonal horse care, ensuring your horse stays healthy through unpredictable fall weather.

2. An Outer Shell That Can Take a Beating

Horses aren’t gentle with their gear. A playful nip in the pasture or a good roll in rough dirt can shred a weak blanket in no time. That’s why denier rating matters.

Blankets made with 1200D or higher material can handle daily use without ripping at the first challenge. It’s one of those places where paying a little more upfront often saves you a lot of money and aggravation later.

3. Fit That Stays Put

Blankets that slip, twist, or rub are more than an annoyance. They can cause sores, limit movement, and leave gaps where wind or rain sneaks in. Adjustable straps at the chest, belly, and legs are non-negotiable.

The best designs allow you to fine-tune the fit so the blanket stays secure without restricting your horse. Features like shoulder gussets or contoured cuts also make a huge difference for horses with broader builds or big shoulders. If you’ve struggled with rubs or shifting, this guide to equine equipment fit has some useful insights.

4. Insulation That Matches Your Climate

A blanket that’s perfect in October might be too heavy or too light by late November. That’s where insulation weight comes in.

Lightweights (100–200g) are ideal for horses that run warm or for those milder fall days. Medium weights (200–300g) work better as the nights drop colder. If your climate swings wildly, look for systems with interchangeable liners. That way you’re not juggling three different blankets but can adjust warmth as needed. It’s a smarter investment, especially for owners managing multiple horses.

Of course, warmth isn’t just about blanketing. Maintaining muscle condition and fitness also helps horses handle seasonal swings more easily. Resources on conditioning horses in fall and winter explain how thoughtful exercise and care work hand in hand with blanketing to keep horses healthy through the colder months.

5. Smart Extras That Make Daily Care Easier

Sometimes it’s the small details that make you love or hate a blanket. A long tail flap shields against biting wind. Quick-clip closures make morning chores faster when your fingers are freezing. Reflective strips make night checks in the pasture less of a guessing game.

These aren’t “luxuries.” They’re the practical touches that improve both your horse’s comfort and your daily routine. When you’re blanketing every day for months, those little things add up.

Final Thoughts

Blanketing in fall isn’t about following a checklist. It’s about knowing your horse, your climate, and your management style. A strong, waterproof blanket with the right fit and insulation will always pay off in fewer worries, healthier horses, and less gear stress.

Choosing smarter now means fewer compromises later, and that’s something every horse and every owner can appreciate.

There are more interesting articles in our section on Health & Education.

by Kristin Pitzer

Whether you’re a young horseman coming up through school or a seasoned veteran of the workforce looking to change careers, it’s never too early — or too late – to consider a job in the equine industry. If horses and the Western way of life are your passions, a career that allows you to promote them to others just like you can be very fulfilling.

“I think people should consider careers in the equine industry because for many people, horses are their passion, and we tend to be the happiest when we’re working for, toward, and within the elements we’re most passionate about,” said Jessie Jarvis, founder and CEO at Of The West, the job platform for the agriculture and Western industries. “For many young adults, owning their own horse isn’t always feasible, and [a job in the industry] allows them to still be involved in some way. For those who are more established and possibly looking for a career change, the equine industry is a great sector to consider because nothing is more rewarding than knowing your daily efforts are working toward building a stronger, more robust equine industry.”

Quarter Horse News put together some information on different careers in the industry to help you know where to begin.

Hands-On

There are two main options for careers in the horse industry: those that work directly with horses, and those that support the industry but don’t involve a person getting their hands on a horse every day. Jobs working with horses can be very rewarding and enjoyable, but they are also usually physically difficult, time-consuming and, without boundaries, can blur the line between work and play. For those willing to work hard, these jobs can lead to fulfilling careers.

“The equine industry is growing at a rate like never before, and due to that, the need for equine professionals is only going to increase as time goes on,” Jarvis said. “In addition to that growing number, I think we are also going to see an increase in the number of education pathways and trade programs focused on equine industry careers, allowing the sector to continue to grow and meet that future demand for equine industry jobs.”

1. Job: Equine Veterinarian

As long as horses can become sick or injured, there will be a need for equine veterinarians. People who become veterinarians tend to have good communication skills and are likely science- and math-minded. A love for animals is certainly necessary, but keep in mind you’ll be working with people just as much as horses. Compassion is a key element, as you’ll likely have to help owners face difficult situations and hard decisions.

To become a veterinarian requires extensive education: four-and-a-half years of undergraduate education, followed by four years of veterinary school, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. All of that schooling isn’t cheap — the average cost of veterinary school in the U.S. is $200,000 — so many young veterinarians go into the workforce with lots of student loan debt in tow. There is, however, a shortage of equine veterinarians around the country, so if it’s a career path you’re interested in, you’ll certainly find a demand for it.

2. Job: Trainer

If patience and an ability to think outside the box are traits you possess and you have good business sense, people skills and riding abilities, you might think about becoming a horse trainer. There’s no doubt it takes a lot of work to become a successful trainer — many riders don’t realize how many hours their coaches put in every day. If you work hard and find your niche in the industry, though, you might find yourself eventually working with the industry’s nicest horses, most well-known owners and other top-level trainers.

You don’t need a degree to become a trainer — many would argue that apprenticeships under other trainers provide the best education — but some colleges offer equine science programs, while others have certificate programs in horse starting and horsemanship. It doesn’t hurt to take business classes, either, and having a degree to fall back on should you change your mind is never a bad thing.

3. Job: Farrier

Another job that gets lots of hands-on experience with horses is that of the farrier. Farriers are specialists that trim, balance and shoe horses’ feet. Being a farrier is physically demanding — most of your day is spent bent over while holding a horse’s foot up, after all — and without proper equipment, it can be hard on your body. Once you get established in a location, though, you can often pick and choose the hours, days and clients you want to work with.

Apprenticeships with veteran farriers are a great way to learn, and as your business grows, there are programs through organizations like the American Farrier’s Association (AFA) that will test you on your ability to perform the work to a prescribed standard. The AFA offers several levels of certification, from Certified Farrier, to Certified Tradesman Farrier, to Certified Journeyman Farrier. Some farriers go beyond even that and become specialists for certain breeds, activities and disciplines. Since most farriers are self-employed, business classes can be useful.

Hands-Off

If you are interested in a career in the industry but don’t necessarily have to be around horses every day, there are many different options to look into. While these jobs don’t involve riding or caring for horses, they often allow you to talk about horses — or something related to horses — every day, scratching the horse bug itch.

“While there isn’t any kind of study I can quote numbers from, I can confidently say that the majority of careers in the equine industry do not work directly with horses,” Jarvis said.

“All of the products, businesses and organizations that keep our industry going are centered around the horse; however, that doesn’t mean they physically touch a horse on a daily basis. But that doesn’t mean their work is ‘less than’ others who do work directly with horses because without those feed companies, tack companies, publications, events or member organizations, there’s no denying that our industry would cease to exist. It takes every single job in the equine industry to keep it moving forward.”

4. Job: Journalist

Can you craft compelling stories, communicate results efficiently and hunt down news leads? If so, you might consider a career as an equine journalist. These writers and editors communicate industry news and document horse, rider, owner, trainer and breeder achievements. Without them, the Western performance horse industry archive would remain blank.

To become a journalist, you will need a bachelor’s degree in communication, journalism or a related agriculture degree. Having a good command of the English language, sentence structure, grammar and punctuation rules is critical, as are strong computer skills. Photography and basic videography skills are a plus, and in this day and age, knowledge of social media platforms is essential. And of course, to be successful in the equine industry, you must have a good understanding of horse anatomy, horsemanship and the disciplines you are covering.

5. Job: Show Manager

Those with an interest in both event management and horses might consider a career in show management. These people keep the horse show world running by hosting the industry’s events, from the top futurities to the smallest local weekend shows. If you are organized, enjoy problem solving, have a mind for budgets and can dedicate the time that is needed, show management might be for you. A bachelor’s degree in agriculture business, public relations, communication or even hotel and restaurant management can be useful for those seeking to become show managers. Internships at different equine sport governing bodies can help you network with people in the field and learn the rules of the organizations, and some, like the American Quarter Horse Association, offer show management workshops with online certifications. Experience managing people can be a boon, as show managers typically work with a plethora of assistants, from full time help to volunteers.

This article originally appeared on Quarter Horse News and is published here with permission.

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by Kristin Pitzer

When it comes to diseases in horses, pigeon fever is one that should win an award for most misleading name — it has no relation to pigeons, and fever isn’t usually associated with it. The disease is named for the abscesses that commonly form in the pectoral region of a sick horse, resembling a pigeon’s breast. But though its name is deceptive, pigeon fever is a common disease that affects many horses, especially those living in dry, arid parts of the country.

While not usually fatal, certain forms of pigeon fever can lead to complications and even death if left untreated. Quarter Horse News spoke with Dr. Jen Voellinger of Precision Equine in Springtown, Texas, to get more information on the cause, symptoms, treatment and prevention of this disease.

It May Be in Your Pasture

Pigeon fever is caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis. It is common in places like California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas, although new research suggests it may be present in most parts of the U.S., Southern Canada and Northern Mexico. The bacterium lives in the soil and is typically introduced to horses through breaks in the skin, often by flies dragging the bacteria into the wound.

Though not considered contagious between horses, flies may also spread the bacterium from a sick horse to healthy horses when they land in open wounds or bite. For this reason, affected horses should be separated from healthy horses if pigeon fever is suspected. This also prevents other horses from getting into the sick horse’s bodily fluids as the abscesses drain.

“If you’ve got a horse that’s draining lesions, I try to isolate that horse just because if flies land on those areas that are draining, they can spread it to different horses,” Voellinger said. “I also wouldn’t let a horse just nose a bunch of drainage. I try to pick up any pus and get rid of it the best I can to keep the flies off of it.”

Pigeon Fever Strikes Three Different Ways

The disease presents in three forms — external abscesses, internal abscesses and ulcerative lymphangitis — with external abscesses being the most common.

“The external abscesses are usually big abscesses, like the big breast abscesses they can get,” Voellinger said. “The internal abscesses can be anywhere — the lungs, spleen and liver are the most common ones. In the ulcerative lymphangitis form, it basically gets into the lymphatic system and will look like edema up and down the legs along with tiny, pea-sized abscesses and sores, commonly on the legs. I’ve seen them come up in other parts of the body, too. The lymphatic system goes everywhere, so they could be anywhere it goes.”

Most horses present with one form, but some, especially those that are immunocompromised, may be affected by all three. How your veterinarian treats it will depend on which form(s) your horse has.

Treatment Hinges on a Proper Diagnosis

Large abscesses, particularly in the chest, abdomen and limbs, are the obvious symptom of pigeon fever, but if your horse is lethargic, eating less, has developed an odd lameness or has swollen legs, your veterinarian may suggest an antibody test. For draining lesions, he or she can do a culture to look for the bacterium.

Veterinarians will typically let external abscesses develop and drain on their own. Most of these horses won’t even need antibiotics if they continue to improve and heal. Voellinger may put horses with the ulcerative lymphangitis form on antibiotics if they have leg swelling, edema and cellulitis. For those with internal abscesses, antibiotics are a must.

“You absolutely have to do antibiotics and probably for two to three months-plus on that, depending on the severity,” Voellinger said. “A lot of times you have to add Rifampin into that to help drive the antibiotic into the actual abscess. The good news is the bacteria is susceptible to most antibiotics, so it is pretty easy to kill if you can actually get the drug there. But it’s just hard to treat abscesses because they create a fibrous capsule around them, and it protects that bacteria from blood penetration, which is what you need to get your antibiotics there.”

Compromised Horses May Develop Complications

Horses with straightforward external abscesses may take some time to heal, but their prognosis is typically good. Those with internal abscesses, depending on how severe they are, generally have a good to guarded prognosis.

Horses that are immunocompromised for some reason, whether it’s because they’re older, have Cushing’s disease or have other metabolic diseases or autoimmune conditions, may struggle more to overcome the disease because their bodies don’t have the cellular capacity to fight off infection.

“All demographics are going to get exposed, but those horses are definitely going to be more susceptible,” Voellinger said. “Other populations seem to fight it off better and may not get clinical signs. Older horses that are more immunocompromised are going to be the ones that get the clinical signs more frequently or have worse cases.

“It’s the same as why older people are more susceptible to flu and things like that,” Voellinger added. “Their body isn’t as robust and healthy to fight off infections. With Cushing’s, it messes up all the body systems and decreases immunity. They’re more prone to infections of all kinds.”

Reducing Flies Can Help Prevent the Spread

Because the bacteria lives in the soil, pigeon fever can be difficult to prevent. Many horses have likely already been exposed to it at some point in their lives, Voellinger said. Whether horses develop clinical symptoms or fight off the infection depends on each individual horse’s overall health and situation.

The best thing you can do to protect your horse is practice good fly control, she added. Reducing the fly load on your property gives flies less opportunities to introduce the bacterium to your horses.

“Fly sheets, fly sprays, IGR [insect growth regulator] feed-through fly treatments, fly systems in barns, fly predators — anything like that is really your best offense,” Voellinger said.