I got this horse blanket many years ago now in barter trade. I'm told they were used for sleigh blankets back in the day. I have no idea who made it or it's origin. It does have a tag I assume was the makers, but all the lettering was gone when I got it.
I've had it hanging over the back of one of the wife's decon's bench for many years. Problem with doing that is the morning sun came threw the window for couple hours every day. Right on it.
Anyways
The wife was moving things around like lady's folks do. Says to me you need to do something with your horse blanket. Sun has singed the hair some and I need to do something else with it..
I have no historical, emotional or family tie to the blanket.
Ok my question then is? Does it still have any value in current condition?
Should I try selling for few bucks or just bag it and trash it?
Anyone got any input? It needs some help deciding what to do..

Overall blanket



The singed area.

Back side looks to be wool??


Area that was repaired.


Mac

"Never Forget Which Way Is Up!"

I know of 3 types of "horse blankets."

One is an extra heavy wool bedding blanket sold or traded to Indians and whites in the 18th and early 19th century and still manufactured for sale to members of the reenactment community. Essentially and extra heavy "trade blanket" of Hudson Bay or Witney type. As blankets go they are fairly expensive. That isn't what you have.

Another is a blanket to go under the saddle on a horse in addition to a saddle pad to help protect the back of the horse. That is what yours looks like to me. I don't believe it has much if any value.

The last is a blanket that goes on a horse (ties on) to keep the horse warm. Generally they are not needed but some folks who are into showing horses keep their horses sheared and then the horse needs a blanket to keep warm in cold weather. Yours looks too small and the wrong shape for that to me but I'm not sure. You can google "horse blanket" and see what they look like.

I think Sharon may have a better idea about what you have and it's value.

Leftlane

I have no idea of any providence on this blanket. I got it in a trade at least 20 years ago at a rendezvous. I figured at that time it had a value of around $125.00. that was based only on what I had seen others sell for locally in antique shops. I had only ever seen a couple and only one since I got this one.
A guy I used to work with had one very similar. His was made by his great grand mother way back in the day. She even told him the name of the horse it was made from. They used it for a sleigh or cold weather carriage blanket.

Mac

"Never Forget Which Way Is Up!"

Ed, I'm guessing that blanket is made from an actual horse hide, hair on. I have nevah seen a horse hide blanket. I've never even thought of that concept. Very unique , and a rare find, I would guess.

I wouldnt know what to do about finding out about it or its value. There must be some oddity organization that does, those whose business is in rare and different furs.

I wonder if Wissmiss would suggest anything ?

That thing would be wonderful on top an air mattress in cold weather.

Mac-I have owned and sold quite a few of them. A lot of folks assume the darker-colored ones are "bear skin". They were used heavily back in the horse and buggy days.

The hair on yours is pretty thin and the repair is obvious but it does have value! I have sold some to folks who rendezvous as well as the Ho Chunk. Somebody may have a use for pieces of the hide, like mittens, etc. I would guess a value of something between $30 and $50. I managed to get $75 for a nice dark one without any backing on it. They used to be fairly common but I have seen less of them these days.

Moosetrot

Probably can be made into a decent gun case.

Bring it to an antique shop and ask the question. Or maybe like said previously get it made into something else.

I was going to say that looks more like a sleigh blanket they were often made of horse hide, unless theire exceptional either in condition or really colorful a couple hundred dollars is about it from the ones I have seen around here, that one looks to be on the lower end for condition

Now my cousins have one made of wolf skin that’s a thing of beauty

Sharon said


A "horse hide" blanket or rug. That makes more sense looking at it. Here is one on Ebay for $325 that looks very much like what Mac has. One of the photos is a closeup of the mfg tag.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2765599837...1aHfciu-ABbgeKl4avzLsn2mvr98jak9I31dn9fg