Cosmo, Cushings and too much fluff!

HollyWoozle

HollyWoozle

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www.farandride.com
So I finally got little retired pony Cosmo a new turnout rug in Robinsons sale. He is a hardy little thing but has had a turnout on for past few winters as he's 17, suffers from arthritis and I felt it was necessary. This past year or two his coat has stayed longer and the vet said it was the near inevitable onset of Cushings.

He's been in a warmish rug (I think around the 250/300g mark) all winter and hasn't seemed too hot. I just went to put his new one on him (250g) as his old one is awful and his coat is SO THICK. He looks like he's wintered out. Near his bum where the rug doesn't cover, I reckon his coat is 5 inches long, it looks ridiculous!

Am I wrong to keep him in these warm rugs when his coat is now so thick? I'm worried about putting the new rug on him when he looks so fluffy, it feels all wrong. It's certainly no warmer than his previous rug and he didn't feel too hot in that so it's a bit confusing. I presume it's the Cushings keeping him so fluffy but I don't know much about it.
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I took a pic which I can upload this evening. Thanks for reading and for any possible advice.
 
Hi Holly
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Is he sweaty at all? I would perhaps just put his rug on at night time, its been really nice during the day, although he might roll and get very muddy!
I must admit I've swapped Bens rug for a light turnout now as his coat is quite thick ( he's 19)
 
My 27 year old woolly mammoth (no Cushings that I'm aware of) has been out naked for the past 3 days. She hates being rugged and any day she can enjoy the sun on her back is better for us both - I don't get bitten for a start!
 
Hi Angela
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and fatpiggy.

I left him without a rug for a while this afternoon but when I went out, he came straight up to me and just stood there (which he never does, especially when he's engrossed in eating hay). He stood perfectly still (normally a fidget) for me to put the new rug on him so I can only presume that he was a bit chilly... the sun had gone in and the wind did feel very cold.

He has never felt sweaty at all or too hot and that's what so mysterious - I don't understand how he can't be too hot with such a thick coat and a rug! I check his temp when I feed them and my stepdad does the same. I'm not here tomorrow but I think I'll get my parents to see how warm he is tomorrow daytime and can decide from there. What a hairy beast!

Thanks for the help
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