I think this thread is brilliant! It has got me really remebering things from the past.
I do remember not actually being able to lift the wet NZ rug back onto the pony because it had got wet and was so heavy.... do appreciate the new lighter ones now.
However most people at our yard still think I'm nuts because I turn my event horses out without boots, and rugs at every opportunity. To my mind it means they can get the benefit of a bit of mud on their skin, boost the vitamin D they are getting and as a bonus rub off any winter coat without me having to brush it off and nearly suffocate in the process.
We never clip (way too much effort and why mix horses, sharp things and electricity if you don't need to?) but rug like mad in October so they don't grow a coat. We also turn out as much as possible because the other thing is basically they are horses and prefer being outside and in each others company than in mine.
Call me old fashioned but ........
