How to Measure for a Blanket
How to Measure for a Blanket:
For best fit, stand horse squarely. Measure from center of chest to edge of
tail. Take care to measure along the widest part of the shoulder and
hindquarters. The blanket measurement result is the blanket size. If an odd
number, round up to the next even number - 73" = 74".
Fitting the Blanket:
When
initially trying the blanket for fit, please use a sheet underneath to keep it
clean in the event it needs to be exchanged. In
cold weather it's natural to want to close up the neck; but please remember that
horses spend the majority of their time with their heads down. A blanket that is
too high pulls forward every time the horse lowers his head and can cause
rubbing at the shoulders and at the base and top of the wither. Make sure the
front is sufficiently low and roomy so the horse can put his head down freely.
Adjusta-Fit® allows you to raise the front
when necessary.
StormShield®
Quality Features
Guaranteed Durability: Durability is priority
#1. Unless a blanket stays intact and on the horse, none of
its features and benefits matter. To stand up to the demands
of turnout, StormShield uses high thread count, heavy denier
materials most of which were initially created for the luggage
industry. (Denier is a measure of the weight of the yarn, the
higher the stronger.) StormShield turnouts made of 1200 denier
are guaranteed for one year; turnouts made of 1680 and 1800 denier
are guaranteed for two years. Most StormShields last much
longer.
Price and Quality: Please don’t let our
low prices make you skeptical of our quality. We design our
own products, manufacture them offshore and market them directly so
they pass through fewer hands than many competing brands.
Maintenance Free Linings: All linings are
strong, smooth, breathable nylon to shed hair, dirt, thistles and
the like. Technical blankets employ moisture control inner
linings made of fleece or stretchy honeycombed materials which tend
to collect debris. Covering them with nylon in no way affects their
function. The additional cost is well justified by the ease of
maintenance. As an added benefit, smooth nylon linings produce
excellent hair coats.
Adjusta-Fit® System: Patented Adjusta-Fit tabs
enable you to adjust the shoulder for best fit. It also
enables you to adjust the blanket down a size to fit a growing
horse. When the Adjusta-Fit tabs are used, it creates a tuck
on the shoulder which will admit water. It is suggested that a
neck cover be used if the horse is wearing it outside.
"Wickability": All linings, insulation, and
other materials used in StormShield turnouts transport moisture so
that it evaporates. Natural fibers such as wool or cotton
which retain moisture are never used. The same is true of
Adjusta-Fit stable blankets and liners recommended for use under
turnouts.
Reinforcement: All sewing to the outer shell is
overlaid with web and heavily reinforced – straps, surcingles, dees.
Gussets are reinforced and overlaid with a vinyl patch at the point
of stress taking care to make the inside smooth.
Interior Quilting: The insulation of most
StormShield turnouts is quilted to the lining insuring that it stays
evenly distributed during wear and laundering.
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Locking Bands on Surcingle Hardware:
Rubber bands are included on the surcingle eye
hardware. After engaging the hook, simply slide or
roll the band down to lock the hardware or, if you prefer,
transfer the band to the tee post. Either method works.
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Name Tag: Most
blankets include a sewn in name tag for easy identification. |
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Blanket Care Instructions
Laundering:
Remove detachable leg straps; fasten all Velcro,
bellybands and attached leg straps securely before laundering. Wash stable
blankets in warm (not hot) water with mild detergent. Do not use bleach. See
special instructions below for washing waterproof turnout blankets. Do not
subject nylon blankets to high temperatures. Line dry or tumble dry on low
setting.
Waterproof Blanket Maintenance:
To maintain the waterproof breathable
functionary of your turnout be sure to follow these recommended care
instructions: Keep it clean, but avoid over laundering, freshen blankets by
frequently hosing off accumulated dirt.
While laundering waterproof blankets, use
recommended non-detergent blanket washes, such as Nikwax Tech Wash/Rug Wash,
Nature's Blend or comparable products. Caution: Detergents, fabric softeners and
bleach degrade the waterproof breathable coating and shorten the life of the
blanket.
Maintaining the integrity of
the waterproof outershell: Do not attempt
to sew on waterproof materials. Should snags or small punctures occur, they are
easily repairable and will in no way affect the performance of the blanket.
Simply obtain StormShield® Repair Tap, which is available on request for
guaranteed blankets or available for purchase.
Revitalizing the DWR coating:
As time passes, if water stops beading up on a portion of
the outershell, the durable waterproof coating may be revitalized by washing in
warm water, tumble drying on low setting, or applying moderate heat to the outer
covering using a hair dryer or warm (not hot) water. Please use caution,
washer and dryer temperatures vary and high temperatures may shrink or melt the
nylon outer covering or binding.
Storage:
The best choice for long term storage is a sealable
airtight container where blankets will be protected from dampness, direct heat
and varmints. Never store soiled blankets between seasons. Take care of
your investment by laundering and making repairs first. Make sure the blankets
are clean and thoroughly dry before storing.
General Guide for Blanket Durability
| Type |
Durability |
Comments |
| 1680D Ballistic Nylon or
1800D Polyester |
Exceptional |
Recommended for
horses that are hard on blankets or turned out with other horses who may
bite or pull at a blanket |
| 1200D Polyester or Ripstop
Nylon |
Superior |
Recommend to
withstand the rigors of turnout |
| 600D |
Standard |
Recommend for
horses easy on blankets. Occasion or monitored turnout. Picket line
use. |
General Temperature Guide for Blanket Weights
Maintaining current coat
condition...
| Warmth of
Blanket |
Short Coat/Clipped
|
Medium/Full Coat |
| Extra
Heavyweight |
Subzero - 15˚F |
--- |
|
Heavyweight |
15˚F -
30˚F |
Subzero - 15˚F |
|
Midweight |
30˚F -
50˚F |
15˚F -
30˚F |
| Sheet |
50˚F + |
30˚F + |
Improving current coat condition ................
(promote shedding)
| Warmth of
Blanket |
Short Coat/Clipped
|
Medium/Full Coat |
| Extra
Heavyweight |
Subzero - 20˚F |
Subzero - 15˚F |
| Heavyweight |
20˚F - 40˚F |
15˚F - 30˚F |
| Midweight |
40˚F - 60˚F |
30˚F - 45˚F |
| Sheet |
60˚F + |
45˚F + |
StormShield® 1 or 2 Year Warranty
Waterproof Breathable Feature: StormShield
turnout blankets are guaranteed to be waterproof and breathable
for the term of the warranty. If a problem occurs, please
contact us. Exclusions: Do not sew on the outer shell of
the blanket. Do not subject the blanket to high temperatures. Do
not use bleach when laundering. Doing so will void the
warranty. To insure the longest useful life for your
blanket, please follow the blanket care instructions for
waterproof blankets.
Straps, Surcingles, & Hardware: Are
guaranteed for the term of the warranty. If you experience a
problem, please contact us. If you are able to have your
blanket repaired locally we will work with the manufacture to
furnish the necessary supplies and authorize the reasonable cost
of the repair.
Minor Damage to the Outershell: No matter
how strong the material, punctures and snags may occur. These
should in no way affect the performance of the blanket and can
usually be easily repaired with repair tape.
Major Damage to the Blanket: If the blanket
fails in normal use as result of a defect in materials or
workmanship the blanket will be replaced or the defect corrected
at no charge. Outercover, seams, gussets, and linings are
covered.
Damage not due to defect: If major damage
occurs such as the horse catching the blanket on objects in its
surroundings (fence, barn hardware, nail, etc.) the manufacturer
will repair or replace the blanket (at its discretion) for a
charge of $30. If damage occurs, please contact us and we will
work with the manufacture. Thanks to digital cameras and
email, they can often determine what action is required and will
instruct you accordingly. Should it be necessary to send us the
blanket please clean off all surface mud, dirt and manure by
brushing it thoroughly. Do NOT launder the blanket. Repair or
replacement is at the discretion of the manufacture. There
is a limit of two replacements within the warranty period.