do i need a cooler rug

[jaynedoc]

Hi

I have a 15yr old 15h cob x fell mare. she is stabled in winter, and I don't clip her as I ride only about 3 times a week in winter.

When I do ride her though she does work up a bit of a sweat.
After a ride i like her to dry out or at least stop steaming in stable before turning out.

Then I put a medium turnout rug on and out she goes.


My question is do i need a cooler rug on her when I am waiting for her to stop steaming!! or would it be a waste of money?

what do other people do? I don't want to have her clipped as she prefers being out to in and I don't over rug in winter as she naturally has a thick coat.

 

[Taffyhorse]

You could always give her a bib clip or just neck and tummy (I call this a chaser but was told its not so am confused now :-/), anyway, I clip my sec D from his throat down to his stifle if that makes sense so I'm just taking the hair from under his neck and tummy. I do use a cooler rug in the winter to help him dry off quicker and also to stop him getting a chill, once he's dry, I chuck his turnout rug on and out he goes.

Not sure if this really helps - I find them helpful as they regulate the horses body temperature which prevents them getting chilled.

On another note, I used to share a TB who didn't like being in - we gave him a similar clip to my sec d and he lived out all year round quite happily - he was fairly well muffled up though but much preferred it to being in

 

[CazD]

I dont clip my natives as they live out all year round and I only ride at weekends in the winter. If they come back from a ride sweaty then I always pop them in the stables for a couple of hours with a fleece rug on and only put them back out in their turnouts once they are dry. I find they dry out quickly in a fleece and i dont have to worry about them catching a chill.

 

[beutifulwobble]

I do find a cooler rug or similar fleece very useful to have in my tackroom. They are v good and also double up as an extra layer if you do give a low/ tummy clip.

They are not expensive and if you can get one it would be worth it. Try end of line websites etc if you are not fussy re colour

xxx

 

[FrodoBeutlin]

Of course you need a cooler rug

I thought one always needed new rugs

 

[FigJam]

I use a cooler rug if it's a little chilly in the air and you think she will cool down before she's dry. However, modern turnout rugs are pretty much all breathable and so your probably ok doing as you are just now!

But if you're looking for an excuse to go rug shopping... then yes, of course you need one!

 

[charliesarmy]

I would get one so he doesnt get cold from the sweat but also look for a wicking sp?? Rug which will wick away the sweat!!

 

[BigRed]

If you turn your pony out in a medium weight turnout, she could quite easily have a low trace clip. It would make it more comfortable for her when you ride as she won't get so sweaty. She will be perfectly happy with the rug on if she was clipped.

My shetland actually has a trace clip and goes out with no rug at all, although he does come in at night, this is part of his weight control program...