Anyone else rug their natives?

I wonder what they'd do in my neck of the woods then . . .
this is the New Forest Monday lunchtime . . . . if you look carefully the little grey blob, between the bush on the left and the hedge on the right, is a pony happily munching on the holly hedge . . . . :)
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Mine wouldn't be rugged if they weren't fully clipped and stabled for most of the day :) They both came to me from the Highlands (I'm in Yorkshire) and are well used to harsh weather. In fact, on the days when it's safe enough to lead them to the field they immediately start scraping the snow away to find the grass. They graze in small, efficient circles whilst the WBs stand and look sorry for themselves by the gate :D
 
Snowy Celandine said:
Mine wouldn't be rugged if they weren't fully clipped and stabled for most of the day :) They both came to me from the Highlands (I'm in Yorkshire) and are well used to harsh weather. In fact, on the days when it's safe enough to lead them to the field they immediately start scraping the snow away to find the grass. They graze in small, efficient circles whilst the WBs stand and look sorry for themselves by the gate :D
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They are very efficient diggers when they have to be arent they?!

I might send my guys off to work for the Time Team programme!!!
 
My two Dales youngsters, 3 & 2yr old, are out unrugged in the day and during the night when they're in. The trouble with putting lightweight rugs on them is that you flatten the fluff they use to keep warm so anything less than a medium weight is making them colder. I only put medium weights on if its pouring with rain and windy, so they don't stand in the stable dripping and steaming all night.
 
My 4 year old Welsh Section D is out during the day and in at night and naked! She's a big fluffy bear and always very warm, even in all the snow we've been having! It's a refreshing change after owning a TBX who was always rugged up to the eyeballs! :D
 
Mine are in to keep the old boy company. They are only allowed in when he wants to come in despite asking much earlier than he does!

When its heavy rain they have light weight rain sheets on as one is prone to rainscald. If its light then tough there is enough there to protect them, they get hot and could do with shivering off some of their weight!
 
I have always kept natives unrugged out 24/7 with good field shelter,this weather is fantastic for them they are warm woolly & thriving just what they are made for - take care not to think they feel as we do.
 
Have rugged my newish cob x, first winter I've had her and thought she'd hardly need rugging, but she was treated much like a child in her previous home and was used to being rugged. Definitely not been keeping as warm as I would have thought she would have been! Would like long term to get her to the unrugged stage, but then we live on a hill in rural scotland and was -19c last night, so don't know how long it will take! :confused:
 
no. two woolly exmoors, scotland and temps have only been above freezing for 2 days since the last week in November and temps frequently below -10. they do have a nice wee shelter with a good bed in it though plus a fair bit of natural shelter. it's not been windy and they seem to be thriving!
 
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