Product Review: Professional’s Choice 1200D Winter Blanket

Mia models the Professional's Choice 1200D Winter Blanket in Navy/Blue. Photo by Josh Autry. Mia models the Professional's Choice 1200D Winter Blanket in Navy/Blue. Photo by Josh Autry.

EN extensively tested turnout blankets this winter to help you make the most educated choice in outfitting your horse, and the Professional’s Choice 1200D Winter Blanket emerged as one of our favorites right from the start.

This blanket features all of the durability and convenience qualities you want in a turnout at an affordable retail price of $139.95. But don’t think that price means Professional’s Choice sacrifices on quality in manufacturing this blanket. The outer shell is made of a super tough 1200 denier rip-stop nylon to keep it in top shape for years to come.

We also love that the blanket is filled with 300 grams of Hollofil insulation. Holloful is a lighter-weight insulating solution that also allows the filling to compact to a smaller size, making the blanket less bulky and more comfortable for your horse to wear.

The front of the 1200D Winter Blanket is super adjustable thanks to this buckle system, making it easy to find the perfect fit for your horse. Photo by Jenni Autry.

The front of the 1200D Winter Blanket is super adjustable thanks to this buckle system, making it easy to find the perfect fit for your horse. Photo by Jenni Autry.

The front of the blanket buckles with two fully adjustable front straps that attach with convenient clasps. The elastic leg straps on the back of the blanket are removable, and there is a cozy layer of thick fleece at the withers to protect your horse’s mane from rubs. What more could you want in a turnout?

When I asked upper-level rider Jimmie Schramm, who uses the full line of Professional’s Choice blankets, about her favorite features, she said the buckles on the surcingles stand out to her the most. Rather than the T-lock closure you see on most surcingles, the surcingles on the 1200D Winter Blanket snap together using the same handy clasps that makes the front of the blanket so easy to buckle.

The clasps on the 1200D Winter Blanket's surcingles making putting the blanket on a breeze. Photo by Jenni Autry.

The clasps on the surcingles make it so easy to secure the blanket. Photo by Jenni Autry.

“The clasp system on the side of the blankets is so easy because the loops are bigger that most blankets. The last thing you want to be dealing with when putting blankets on is fumbling around with clasps,” Jimmie said.

“I also have found that the durability has been better than any blanket I have had in the past. The horses are hard on them, and they don’t ever seem to tear. The waterproofing lasts, which is ideal in Pennsylvania when it’s rainy or snowing.”

Here’s a photo of Jimmie’s newest ride Eclaire wearing her Professional’s Choice 1200D Winter Blanket in Chocolate/Plaid with the coordinating 1200D neck rug, which is available for the very reasonable price of $61.95.

Ecl

Eclaire models her Professional’s Choice 1200D Winter Blanket in Chocolate/Plaid with the coordinating 1200D neck rug. Photo courtesy of Jimmie Schramm.

Liz Halliday-Sharp, another upper-level rider who uses Professional’s Choice blankets, said her team relies on the durability and functionality of the blankets, both at her current winter base in Ocala and back home in England — she won’t be going back across the pond without them!

“The designs are great and they fit the horses really well,” Liz said. “We love all the styles, from the winter blankets and coolers to the rain sheets and day sheets. I would recommend them to anyone.”

Professional’s Choice unveiled a new line of colors for the 1200D Winter Blanket this season: Black, Blue/Plaid, Gambler, Linx, Pebbles, Pink/Black, Royal/Black, Chocolate/Plaid, Navy/Blue and Purple. There’s an option for even the most color conscious event rider.

The Professional’s Choice 1200D Winter Blanket retails for $139.95, with the neck rug at $61.95. This blanket is a leader in its price range when it comes to fit, durability and comfort for the horse. Click here to check out the full line of blankets from Professional’s Choice.