To blanket or not to blanket?

This snow is blowing this morning. And it looks like we might be in for a big one, I think. When I go down to the pasture to check on the horses, bundled up in my coveralls and toasty hat with the earflaps, I remove one of my gloves, run a hand through a deep silky or coarse coat, depending upon the horse. Spending every Saturday these last few weeks at a very elegant stable where the horses are blanketed and tucked away a into large box stalls with knee-deep cedar shavings, has left me plagued with guilt. I wonder if I ought to blanket my own horses? The snow swirls around us just like the blue heeler puppies who seem as impervious to the cold as the super-insulated geese. They romp and dodge beneath our feet. My horses have a good sturdy loafing shed, and I've seen them choose to stand outside during a blizzard rather than go in. With ice on their whiskers and icicled flanks, breath like dragon’s clouds, they are the most stoic of the stoic.

And, I wonder, if I blanket these horses, will they not grow a good winter coat? Am I damned if I do or damned if I don't? Is the blanket more for me than for them?

I know my young Percheron Toby would enjoy it. He’d be tinkering and tearing at all those belts and buckles 24/7 until he’d emancipated each and every one of his pasture mates from the tyranny of the turnout blanket.

So, I would greatly appreciate it if you'd share your experiences re blanketing your horses with me!