Condensation on horse

SEL

SEL

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There's quite a few threads about horses getting damp when condensation forms inside stables, but has anyone come across condensation forming ON the horse before?

Militaire grows a proper double coat. Its fantastic insulation and if he's out in a hard frost then he looks sugar coated in the morning. Due to clay fields they're now in overnight and in the morning he is drenched. None of the other horses in the block of 4 (old dairy shed) are wet so it isn't coming from the roof, its definitely a Militaire created weather system. I'm assuming that fantastic coat of his is taking the excess heat away from his body as he munches through his haynet, meeting the cold air in the stable and condensing.

On a lovely day like today it isn't an issue. He goes out to the field and chooses the muddiest patch to roll in (grooming is suspended until next summer ;)) but we've got heavy rain forecast this week and he definitely likes his rug on then. So I'm going to be throwing a rug on a sodden horse.

Didn't have this problem last year because his old stable was facing east and quite chilly. Their little barn gets warm I think.

Is this just something I need to ignore? He's not ridden so I don't have to worry about that - just want him to be comfortable.
 
If there is condensation on his back under his rug I would say you are over rugging. I cant tell from your post if he has a rug on when you stable him? If so he is too hot.
 
No I thought it was quite clear that the horse is unrugged when in the stable.
Does he dry out under his turnout if you put it on when he's wet? If so I don't think I'd panic too much. Mine are quite breathable and I don't mind putting them on a wet horse (though even my woolly oldies aren't as hairy as he sounds!). As he has plenty of time unrugged for his skin to dry completely I don't think you'd run into a problem.
 
Yup. When I moved my little cob from living out on the edge of the moors to living in in the warmer south he did exactly that. His coat was so thick and dense. I did end up having to bib clip him in the end as his neck got lots of rain scald type scabs. His back and body was fine though.
 
Yes I've had Heavy horses do that. A turnout rug with some filling seems to help them dry out on wet days, without any problem. A bib clip could also help but whenever I've thought about it the weather has changed and it's not been needed. I wouldn't use a cooler it just adds a layer and gets full of bedding, ime.
 
milliepops said:
No I thought it was quite clear that the horse is unrugged when in the stable.
Does he dry out under his turnout if you put it on when he's wet? If so I don't think I'd panic too much. Mine are quite breathable and I don't mind putting them on a wet horse (though even my woolly oldies aren't as hairy as he sounds!). As he has plenty of time unrugged for his skin to dry completely I don't think you'd run into a problem.
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Just his coat doing its awesome job then, lol
 
I have bib clipped mine as he needs a rug for the rain and wind but has gets too warm on mild days. His coat always grows back so quickly so I don't worry if the weather changes.
 
The Fuzzy Furry said:
OP, dont worry, my 2 mini's have same - can be covered in frost (v pretty) or condensation on them even when out.
They just have a good double coat & both came from the extreme north (one nearly 2 years ago & the other 7 years ago)
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I did wonder if any owners of mini-me versions had the same problem - the 2 shetlands nearby are balls of fluff now.

milliepops said:
No I thought it was quite clear that the horse is unrugged when in the stable.
Does he dry out under his turnout if you put it on when he's wet? If so I don't think I'd panic too much. Mine are quite breathable and I don't mind putting them on a wet horse (though even my woolly oldies aren't as hairy as he sounds!). As he has plenty of time unrugged for his skin to dry completely I don't think you'd run into a problem.
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I'll find out this week. He's got a new 50g turnout that should hopefully stand up to the rain we've got forecast. I had been blaming his rainsheets for not being waterproof but now I'm wondering whether he was condensing under them and they weren't breathable!! And no, he's definitely not rugged indoors. He did get his rainsheet left on once and the next day looked like he'd been for a gallop. Drenched under it.

I can't clip him for those that suggested it because he'll need sedation and even then still staggers around squashing people. I took his feathers off earlier this year to attack the mite infestation and it was very stressful for all of us :rolleyes: I think I'll just leave him to to his damp, slightly smelly, mud coated hippo look this winter and apologise profusely to the physio and farrier when they have to get up close and personal.

When he first came to me both horses were in an indoor barn and I spent a lot of time insisting that the roof over his stable leaked. He only ever came in when there was heavy rain, so I was convinced that was soaking through the roof and drenching him. I suspect the roof was fine and its just his enormous polar bear coat causing the problem!!! He would be much happier out with a shelter and when I win the lottery that is exactly what he shall have.

Thanks all as ever for replying :)
 
I’ve not read all the replies but mine had it on his stable rug and I thought I was going off my head. Turned out it was condensation drips off the roof landing on him 😅
 
honetpot said:
They clip cows a long there backs if its too warm and they are in.
If the stable is well ventilated the moisture should evaporate.
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Only drawback with an equine is that they would/could get water settling as their spines are not raised like most cattle.

Ref evaporation in ventilation, no this doesn't always occur, in fact they can still condensate outside :)

My bigger mini has on rare occasions had a little 'ice pool' just in front of her loins, where water has run back off her rump or from her non-existent withers (she has them in summer!) when its raining and then its frozen if we have a sudden hard frost. Only happened 3 times in nearly 7 years, but makes others wince! She doesn't give a hoot and is toasty under her shaggy fuzz!
 
Pinkvboots said:
I know it's going to be raining but it sounds like his coat is doing a great job on its own, I am sure it will keep his skin dry even in really wet weather.
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He hates the rain! Light rain I leave him to it but he gets very miserable when it really tips it down and then his arthritic joints stiffen up.
 
Every time you post about Militaire I want a Militaire of my very own. 😁 I want a frosty big horse. ❤ No idea really about the rugging, sorry. But I have put rugs on wet horses before without having an issue. I'd give him a bit of a towel down and put the rug on. Which is probably dreadful I know.
 
PapaverFollis said:
Every time you post about Militaire I want a Militaire of my very own. 😁 I want a frosty big horse. ❤
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You might change your mind if you saw the mud he'd plastered himself in today! And the state of his stable this morning..... It's a good thing he's an over sized teddy bear with a snoggable nose 😊
 
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