Coat or no coat

[Petpony]

Hi folks,

Do you think this guy (Goldie) will need a coat over the winter?

He's 4 years old stallion, a bit fat, lives out 24/7 (by Dyce) with access to a field stable shelter 24/7.

 

[Enfys]

I can't see a photo, I am presuming that there was meant to be one. What type is he? (Not that that matters, there are tough Tbs, and wimpy natives so you can't honestly go by type)

My rule of thumb is that you take each day as it comes, and rug if your horse looks cold, tucked up or is losing condition. It isn't enough to look at him over the fence and say "woooo, he's nice and fluffy, he's fine" it has to be a hands on check, learn to 'feel' his condition, winter fluff can cover a skinny bones, or injuries very well.

As he is, as you say, a bit fat (is that actually a LOT fat, or just well covered?) and has access to a shelter I would leave him unrugged for now and see how he goes on. But I would still measure him up for a MW, and get one, just to be on the safe side

 

[Petpony]

Hi Enfys,

Yeah there's meant to be 2 photos, not sure how you cant see them. (I'm new to this site)

He's a Cob, 13.1 hands and before I got him in July he was used to go carting about. I bought the cart and harness as well but have not done anything with him yet. I say he's a bit overweight because his belly sticks out like an mare in early pregnancy, However I would say that you just have to put a wee bit of pressure on the rib cage and you will feel his ribs so he's probably fine really.

I know he should be fine along with his companion, a 5 year old miniature shetland staillon (Darren) but wanted to ask anyway as their welfare and happiness are top priority.

I've stoped grooming them about a month ago when there winter coats started to come in to let them build up a natural insulation with rolling around in the dirt and so on. So that should help.

 

[Pinkvboots]

I would think he would be ok without a rug his coat looks fairly thick, play it by ear and see how he goes, my warmblood has lived out without a rug in winter I just feed hay once the grass gets low, I find if they have enough to eat most can cope without a rug.

 

[Petpony]

Thanks Pinkvboots,

I think you're right, I'll just wait off and see how the winter go's. I didn't think to ask the previous owner if he rugged him but it was July when I got him so I wasn't really thinking about the winter and my heart was ruling me that day. Grass shouldn't be a problem as it's a 3 1/2 acre field and the grass there on now (about over half of the field) should do them to end of the year, then after that there's still about an acre of this years untouch grass they can have, strip grazing it of course.

This is my first year as a owner, about year before that I was a volunteer at a horse welfare and rescue sanctuary for 3 1/2 years as a helper maintenance man, so I've pick up on things but still a newbie really to pony care.

 

[Bede]

About the big belly- might he need worming?

 

[PorkChop]

I would be happy to leave him unrugged, you will soon know if he needs a rug as he will have really cold ears and be shivering - I would just be careful not to take the oil out of his coat by bathing and I would stick to a dandy brush for grooming - he's lovely btw

 

[Petpony]

Hi Bede,

I wormed them both on the 1st of September. In hindsight I should have done that around now with the first frost, according to the weight tape he's 490kg from just the back of the withers to the back of front legs. I give him 2 Panacur sachets =600kg, I know that was a bit over kill but thought it should be ok. Darren came in at 195kg according to the weight tape and I give him 2 Equimax tablets =200kg.

Hi LJR,

It's funny you mention his ears as he's the only horse that I know of that likes his ears to be rubed on the inside like a donkey. and he drops his head right down like a donkey too.

This is them together before the stable shelter went up in August.