Rain will flatten the hair coat and prevent the undercoat from providing that layer of warm air. Wind will blow the warm air from the surface of the skin. Snow is less of a problem. Do keep in mind, however, that most horses with a natural hair coat will do fine without blankets as long as there is no wind or rain. It is very important to keep in mind that there are times when blanketing is worse than not blanketing. Make sure that any blankets used for turnout are waterproof! A wet blanket will make your horse cold.
Too many blankets, or too heavy a blanket will make your horse sweat, make the hairs lie down, and make your horse cold. Additionally, you should not see sweat marks on your horse when you take the blanket off.
Proper fit is essential to keep your horse warm and safe. You may have to try several styles of blanket to find the one that fits your horse correctly. Many horses, especially those that are clipped, will develop rub marks on the shoulders.
Slick undergarments are available to help with this. Spraying the inside of the blanket with a silicone grooming spray can also help. Make sure to use turnout blankets when horses are turned out!
These blankets are designed to stay in place when your horse runs and rolls; they are waterproof; and they are generally of studier materials to withstand herd turnout. Stable blankets are not waterproof, plus your horse can get tangled up in a blanket that is not intended for turnout. A blanket that is too small can cause pressure sores and not provide enough warmth. Likewise, a blanket is too large can be dangerous from being too loose, as well as allow too much cold air to flow underneath it.
Information in this article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for evaluation by an equine professional. In particular, all horse owners should seek advice and treatment from a licensed veterinarian, such as TEVA, for their horses' medical care. All Rights Reserved. Jay Joyce Dr. Sallie Hyman Dr. Call Us Today To Blanket or Not to Blanket Winter is here! How a horse stays warm: Horses have developed very efficient means of staying warm, even in very cold temperatures.
How much winter hair will my horse get? What role does nutrition play? How much cold can a horse tolerate? How to blanket properly: Proper fit is essential to keep your horse warm and safe. TEVApedia Articles. A blanket collection can easily become large and complicated. Max tries to keep things simple with three pieces of horse clothing: a turnout sheet , a medium stable blanket and a heavy turnout blanket.
You might also like to have a medium turnout blanket , but in a pinch, a medium stable blanket with a turnout sheet on top works the same so long as the stable blanket has two belly straps to keep it secure. For horses who are tough to fit and have blankets that tend to shift, leg straps are helpful but not always required.
Note that turnout sheets and blankets may be used indoors or outside, but stable sheets and blankets are not waterproof so should be used only indoors unless topped with a waterproof layer.
The greater the amount of fill, the more insulation a blanket provides. Wind, for example, is not a concern for stabled horses. To determine the temperature difference, place one thermometer inside the barn and one outside. Check them late at night or early in the morning. When your horse is in a pasture, does he have access to a shelter to get out of the wind, rain and snow? Fair enough, but how can you tell if your horse is cold? A shivering horse also burns more calories so is at risk of weight loss.
Another way to tell if your horse is cold is to feel his nose and ears with your bare hand. If they are cold to the touch, the rest of him probably is, too.
If your horse begins to sweat under his blanket, he can overheat or, if wet hair traps the moisture against his body for too long, he could get chilled. Just place your bare hand on his shoulder inside the blanket.
Turn him out with the clothes he needs for the majority of the day. Breed and type of horse may play a factor in blanketing decisions because some horses naturally run hot or cold. For instance, Thoroughbreds often carry less body weight and grow less coat, so they tend to get colder more easily than heavier breeds. But there are exceptions to every rule.
He always wore one less rug than everybody else. If he decided he was hot, he would take his clothes off in the middle of the night. As a horse metabolizes forage, his digestive system generates heat and helps keep him warm. Each horse has about four blankets, and in the dead of winter, they may wear three layers at a time.
When we layer, we use a cotton sheet on the bottom, then a thick wool blanket with no straps and a Baker blanket on top of that. All horses have different temperatures just like people, and you learn that some horses need less clothing. A: If you've ever stood in an enclosed trailer with several horses, you know that plenty of body heat is generated and retained in that small space.
When considering how to dress your horse for the road, be most concerned about his respiratory health, and opt for good ventilation and just enough clothing to fend off chills. When horses are already reliant on blanketing during their daily lives, they will need some coverage, but a stable sheet or lightweight blanket may suffice in enclosed vehicles.
Unclipped, never-blanketed horses may not need additional covers when transported in a draft-free, mostly enclosed conveyance, but in stock trailers or other airy vehicles, they'll need a blanket when temperatures dip to freezing or below. Don't miss out! With the free weekly EQUUS newsletter, you'll get the latest horse health information delivered right to your in basket! Behavioral Problems. Medications and Drugs. Horse Care. Farm and Ranch. Hoof Care.
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